Live music venues to trade later and pay less under Vic Coalition plan

The Victorian government and Coalition are going head-to-head in a battle to win the hospitality vote ahead of the November 28 election.

Live music venues would be able to trade two hours later and pay less for their liquor licences under a Victorian Coalition plan to boost the state’s nightlife.

Some bars and clubs would be allowed to stay open until as late as 3am under the policy, which rewards venues that stage events with lower overheads.

The pledge responds to Labor’s promise to let all pubs trade until 3am.

The Coalition said it would also cut red tape it claims is stopping Victoria’s economy from operating “right around the clock”.

Festival organisers would find approvals easier to secure, with traffic management, policing and liquor licensing obligations combined into one application process. Venues with a clean record with liquor licensing authorities could also apply for a new multi-year licence instead of renewing annually.

“Boosting Victoria’s pubs, restaurants, festivals and live music venues is a key part of my team’s plan to make Victoria the best place in the nation to do business,” Opposition leader Jess Wilson said.

Opposition tourism and major events spokesman David Southwick said Victoria should be the events and live music capital of Australia.

“Under Labor, the 24-hour economy has been held back by red tape, rising costs and a lack of support,” he said.

Turning the Covid downturn around

The policy comes as live music operators continue to feel the effects of a prolonged downturn since the Covid pandemic. One in four Melbourne live music venues has closed since 2019, with 338 venues lost between 2018 and 2024.

Wilson has promised to work with industry leaders on implementation. An industry-backed advocate would co-ordinate the reforms if she forms government.

The measures form part of the Liberals and Nationals’ 10-year economic plan to reduce costs and create jobs.

“Only my Liberal and Nationals team has a plan to deliver more jobs and a strong economy by rejuvenating our events, hospitality and live music sectors,” Wilson said.

Labor unveiled its own reforms in September, allowing pubs to open until 3am and scrapping a ban on dogs in pubs. The Coalition says it would leave the decision on allowing pets to individual venues.

Premier Ben Carroll has also pledged to fast-track low-impact venue renovations, with approvals in as little as 10 business days rather than 10 months, and to create four live music precincts in Fitzroy, Collingwood, Geelong and Ballarat, where venues would be better protected from noise complaints.

Jonathan Jackson, 12th October 2026