ACT Labor has announced its night-time economy policy. It would halve liquor licence fees for small cafés and restaurants (up to 150 people) and for small to medium venues (up to 350 people) that support artists. Labor states this would save local businesses $3,800 each year, and encourage more businesses to open.

An artist registry would help owners and managers to book local artists and musicians for their venue.

Labor would make more public areas available for markets, busking, food trucks, and other activities, and improve access and guidance for event approvals.

It would also create entertainment precincts in town centres and other areas to expand nightlife across Canberra.

“We know that a thriving nightlife in Canberra relies on our local venues and hospitality businesses,” a Labor spokesperson said. “These are the places that attract visitors, and give local artists and musicians the opportunity to work and contribute to Canberra’s nightlife.”

The Canberra Business Chamber supports any moves to reduce the cost of doing business, CEO Greg Harford said.

“We have long been calling for moves to reduce red tape and compliance costs, and for the ACT to have the lowest cost Government services in Australia.”

Chris Gatfield, general manager of the Australian Hotels Association (AHA) ACT, said the policy was “a clear statement of intent from ACT Labor that the night-time economy matters”.

“Our industry is always looking to support local musos, artists and creatives, and these licence fee reductions for medium sized venues will encourage more live entertainment in more venues more often,” Mr Gatfield said.

“Rolling out the Entertainment Precinct model out to other areas will hopefully put an end to the age-old sport of moving next door to an established venue and complaining until they turn the music down or shut down entirely.

“This reform package is a fantastic step towards enhancing the night-time offerings across our city and is fully supported by AHA ACT.”

Independent parties both had misgivings about the announcement.

Independents for Canberra leader Tom Emerson said: “It’s encouraging to see ACT Labor commit to taking some preliminary steps to activate our nighttime economy. Hopefully this isn’t too little, too late for many of Canberra’s favourite venues that have struggled to rebound from the pandemic in the face of a cost-of-living crisis, persistently high interest rates and rising insurance costs.

“What I’m hearing artists and managers across the ACT want most is a government that works with them. Imagine if the government was a facilitator, not a blocker; if the default answer was ‘yes’, rather than ’no’. We’ll be pushing for a collaborative approach to government with a forward calendar of events developed and delivered in partnership with the private sector. Tinkering won’t resurrect Canberra’s nightlife, nor will it provide long-term sustainability for our creative arts sector.

“What’s needed is a completely new approach that starts with the question: how can we work together to ignite Canberra’s live music scene?”

Belco Party co-convenor Bill Stefaniak said: “Small businesses have been crying out for some of these measures for the last decade. Few believe the government anymore. Why now? Why didn’t you do this in 2019 or even 2022?”

Labor has already announced plans to build a 2,000-seat lyric theatre and an 8,000-seat live music and entertainment venue.