Getting Victoria’s major outdoor events back on track

The Victorian Liberal Nationals today announce new a plan to safely get more Victorians back enjoying the major events they love sooner.

As part of the Victorian Liberal Nationals​’ Reopen, Recover, Rebuild Plan, up to 5,000 people will be able to attend major outdoor events subject to density limits of 1 person per 2 square metres.

These limits would be introduced once the National Cabinet’s 70 per cent double vaccination threshold is achieved, meaning thousands of Victorians could gather for upcoming major events​, such as the Spring Racing Carnival in only a few weeks’ time.

Under the Andrews Labor Government​'s current roadmap, only 50 people are permitted to attend an outdoor event – a completely unworkable restriction on our struggling events industry.

This commitment is in addition to the Victorian Liberal Nationals​' $300 million Local Events Recovery Plan and commitment to workable density limits for indoor events as is occurring in New South Wales.

Comments attributable to Shadow Minister for Business Recovery and the Events Industry, David Southwick:

“For Victorian events, Daniel Andrews​' plan is a roadmap to nowhere.

“You can’t run the Melbourne Cup with 50 people. We need a new plan to get smiles back on faces.

“With sensible density limits we can support industry to ​reopen, recover ​and rebuild and regain our crown as the events capital of the nation.”

Comments attributable to Shadow Minister for Tourism, Cindy McLeish:

“Labor’s six long lockdowns have taken Victoria from the most desirable place to be to ​the most difficult to do business.

“Tourism operators want to hit the ground running when our state reopens, but Labor’s unworkable restrictions are holding them back.

“We need a plan to run the events that draw a crowd and get this critical industry back on track.”