In a world where the cost of living seems to be perpetually on the rise, it's no surprise that discretionary spending, especially among the younger demographic, is taking a hit.

The pinch is being felt all the way to the music festival scene, a cultural staple for many young Australians.

But could increasing Centrelink payments be the solution to reviving this industry? This question has sparked a heated debate across the nation.

A bar owner's call to raise Youth Allowance and JobSeeker payments to enable young Aussies to afford nights out and attend music festivals has stirred controversy.

Hugh Scobie, co-owner of Ancient World, pointed to the cost-of-living crisis and rising rents as culprits preventing many from engaging in social activities and thereby crushing the entertainment industry.

A bar owner called to raise Youth Allowance and JobSeeker payments so young Aussies can attend music festivals. Credit: Shutterstock

Music festivals, once seen as a rite of passage for the youth, are experiencing a significant drop in ticket sales.

‘Most people can't afford to spend $50 on a night out,' Scobie said.

'Raising JobSeeker and Youth Allowance to the amount recommended by the Australian Council of Social Service would help a lot.'

High-profile events like Splendour in the Grass have even been cancelled, with a report from Creative Australia’s Soundcheck revealing a 24 per cent drop in ticket sales. Among the key demographic of 18 to 24-year-olds from 2018/19 to 2022/23.

The National Arts Participation Survey echoed these findings, citing the cost of tickets as the most common barrier to attendance, impacting 55 per cent of respondents.

The most pronounced issue among party-goers under 35 was money issues, with nine out of 10 experiencing financial difficulty in 2023.

'We lost a huge amount of our audience–young people and students whose main income is from Centrelink–almost immediately after interest rates, rents, groceries, and petrol prices went up,' Scobie said.

'Seeing bands and socialising with their friends doesn't seem to be affordable for them in the current economic climate.'

JobSeeker recipients who are single and do not have children receive a fortnightly payment of $762.70, and those on Youth Allowance receive between $395.30 to $806, depending on their age, living arrangements, relationship status, and whether they have children.

Scobie suggested raising Centrelink payments per the Australian Council of Social Service's recommendation.

It is understood that the most extensive set of permanent Centrelink payment increases, particularly a $40 increase on JobSeeker and Youth Allowance, started on 20 September.

JobSeeker recipients, currently receiving an average of $55 a day, should have their payments increased to match the pension rate of $80 a day.

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has weighed in, suggesting that more taxpayer funds should support festivals while also attributing festival cancellations to climate change and extreme weather events.

'Festivals are an important part of the arts and live music ecosystem. 'Festivals support jobs not only for artists but also in hospitality, tourism and trades as well,' Senator Hanson-Young said.

'It is not a surprise to hear festival organisers say that extreme weather and insurance are among their biggest challenges.’

'We have known for some time that extreme weather events and climate change are making it harder and more unpredictable to put on large-scale events.'

Key Takeaways

• Festival ticket sales among young Australians aged 18 to 24 have significantly dropped, attributed to the cost-of-living crisis and ticket prices.
• A bar owner, Hugh Scobie, has suggested raising Youth Allowance and JobSeeker payments to enable young people to participate in social activities like music festivals, which would support the entertainment industry.
• The Soundcheck report revealed a 24 per cent drop in ticket sales within the key demographic for festivals and pointed to the financial pressures on young adults, with costs like rent and groceries limiting their ability to afford event tickets.
• There have been several cancellations of major music festivals in Australia, with reasons ranging from economic pressures on consumers to challenges posed by extreme weather and the unpredictable nature of hosting large-scale events due to climate change.

Do you think Centrelink payments should be increased to support young people's participation in cultural events like music festivals? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

 

[Waynegm]

No because it stops them looking for work,why would you want to work when you can live off the taxpayers for nothing.

 

[TrishBin]

There is absolutely no way that students and the unemployed should get more money from Centrelink! When we were young we coped with what we could earn in the long holiday beak at university or we had a part-time job to fund extras such as going out to festivals or any other activity. The rest of us had jobs, no matter how lowly. We didn’t get student allowance unless we were almost penniless and most lived at home until they could afford to move out and make ends meet. Having gone through senior school on scholarships and coming from a comparatively low to mid level income family, I made my own clothes as it was cheaper and worked in nursing homes in the holidays in times before adult nappies. That meant a great deal of very unpleasant things to do. But no matter how lowly the job, we took it. Now when the retail and restaurant/cafe industries are crying out for workers why aren’t today’s kids filling these jobs? Is it too demeaning for them to help out old folk or serve people in a cafe? It seems that they have an incredible sense of entitlement. They seem to think that they should be supported in a way we never were. Having worked hard until a few years ago when my health simply wouldn’t allow me to keep going, to even consider slugging the taxpayer yet again to support these young people so that they can go to music festivals is unbelievable and totally unacceptable. I’ve paid so much tax in my lifetime that I get very irate when the lazy, self entitled who can‘t be bothered making some extra money for social activities want taxpayer dollars so they can have an enjoyable time!
Put away your phones and other devices and get off your couches and go and earn the money you seem to think you are entitled to. Old age pensions are set at a level so that those who have not saved enough for their old age can live and eat. Nothing in life is free. So get out and earn what you need.

 

[tonynbarb]

What a stupid idea,we went to a lot of concerts in our youth and we both had jobs,not well paid jobs mind you but we managed to save for luxuries.We must admit though the cost to attend any concert now is ridiculous it's not about the music these days it's the spectacle.The artists such as Taylor Swift charge excessive amounts to attend their shows We don't know how people can afford it.

 

[rayd72]

What an absolute load of rubbish. I and many like me never went and cannot go to those type of outings even now because of limited income. Perhaps about twice per year through diligent budgeting I might, MIGHT get to two really great functions. To suggest that Centerlink start adding to young peoples income to allow them this outlet is preposterous. Perhaps a side hussle, used to be called a job, might help them to achieve such a thing.

 

[David567]

It's funny how they can afford the latest phones and the most expensive shoes and brand name clothes. They all have Itune and spotify accounts. Taylor Swift concerts were all sold out.
What a bunch of little cry babies. Boo Hooo.

 

[ARL]

WTF .... Centrelink is supposed to be a payment to support those IN NEED to supply the basics of life while looking for a JOB. It was never intended to be a lifestyle choice and should never be this. If the entertainment industry is suffering, maybe they could look at REDUCING their prices to be more affordable for those that are WORKING and still on the poverty line. Remember those rare young people that would rather WORK than accept the DOLE even though they earn less than the dole pays? There are some out there still that get NO benefits but still continue to work and set a good example for their "peers".
If the basic centrelink payment is not enough, maybe they could start teaching them to BUDGET and how to forgo the 'luxuries' until they start to EARN their own money.
DISCLAIMER: This in no way is to apply to those that have 'real issues' and for whatever reason cannot work, just those that 'choose' not to work.

Ridiculous. Plenty of people want to work but are told they have no experience. Could you survive on a centrelink payment? It is BELOW the poverty line. It is so low no sane person would consider it a lifestyle choice.

 

[hooks1]

what a joke

 

[ARL]

It's funny how they can afford the latest phones and the most expensive shoes and brand name clothes. They all have Itune and spotify accounts. Taylor Swift concerts were all sold out.
What a bunch of little cry babies. Boo Hooo.

It is s suggestion from the music industry, not the unemployed. Facts matter

 

[siameezer]

It's funny how they can afford the latest phones and the most expensive shoes and brand name clothes. They all have Itune and spotify accounts. Taylor Swift concerts were all sold out.
What a bunch of little cry babies. Boo Hooo.

What ignorant drivel. You have bought into the media outrage and are just parroting what they say. Do you really think most of the people at Taylor Swift's concerts were unemployed? Are you really trying to have us believe that all the younger people with the latest phones and clothes are job seekers? These young ones with the phones and new clothes may very well be working ... you have no idea of their personal circumstances. Shame on you ... and your attitude is what deserves the big boo hoo.

 

[siameezer]

It is s suggestion from the music industry, not the unemployed. Facts matter

Sadly though they can't whinge and whine about younger people if they use their heads or look for facts ... they have bought into the "divide and conquer" mentality and actually believe what the MSM force-feed them.

 

[ARL]

Sadly though they can't whinge and whine about younger people if they use their heads or look for facts ... they have bought into the "divide and conquer" mentality and actually believe what the MSM force-feed them.

As do many people making comments here

 

[siameezer]

As do many people making comments here

Yes that is what I was saying ... people here attacking the younger generations because the media filled their heads with lies. The majority, in fact the vast majority, of young folk looking for work are industrious and want a job.

 

[ARL]

Can't we just bring back public floggings with a cat o'nine tails for those who want money for not working? It would be less expensive than paying politicians' salaries!
?

Showing your prejudice as the suggestion came from the music industry. Now who do you want to flog?

 

[bschulze]

How about looking after the aged pensioners, most of whom have spent their working lives paying taxes, so they can live above the poverty line.
Most young unemployed people
have yet even started to contribute to society but want money to go to music festivals. I don't think so!!
How about getting a job. I see ads all the time in Coles, Woolies, ALDI, coffee shops, etc looking for workers. Why are we paying people to sit on their rear ends when there is work available.
Of course , I'm not meaning all those poor unemployed lion tamers.
Can't expect them to lower their standards and take a menial job.

 

[Evol P]

Crazy! These payments are to SUPPORT you while you look for a job - of which they seem to be plenty.
.

 

[ARL]

There is absolutely no way that students and the unemployed should get more money from Centrelink! When we were young we coped with what we could earn in the long holiday beak at university or we had a part-time job to fund extras such as going out to festivals or any other activity. The rest of us had jobs, no matter how lowly. We didn’t get student allowance unless we were almost penniless and most lived at home until they could afford to move out and make ends meet. Having gone through senior school on scholarships and coming from a comparatively low to mid level income family, I made my own clothes as it was cheaper and worked in nursing homes in the holidays in times before adult nappies. That meant a great deal of very unpleasant things to do. But no matter how lowly the job, we took it. Now when the retail and restaurant/cafe industries are crying out for workers why aren’t today’s kids filling these jobs? Is it too demeaning for them to help out old folk or serve people in a cafe? It seems that they have an incredible sense of entitlement. They seem to think that they should be supported in a way we never were. Having worked hard until a few years ago when my health simply wouldn’t allow me to keep going, to even consider slugging the taxpayer yet again to support these young people so that they can go to music festivals is unbelievable and totally unacceptable. I’ve paid so much tax in my lifetime that I get very irate when the lazy, self entitled who can‘t be bothered making some extra money for social activities want taxpayer dollars so they can have an enjoyable time!
Put away your phones and other devices and get off your couches and go and earn the money you seem to think you are entitled to. Old age pensions are set at a level so that those who have not saved enough for their old age can live and eat. Nothing in life is free. So get out and earn what you need.

Did you bother reading who made the suggestion, the music / concert people, not those looming for work. as an oldie I take exception to your comments as a percentage of income everything is MORE expensive now, including housing and energy.

 

[Miss Chris]

I'm a bit worried about the wine industry. Could the Government increase my pension to cover maybe a few bottles a week. I will do my best to drink as much as I can....

Oh I’ll join you

 

[Shemwell]

Absurd, look after the aged a bit better.
Maybe bring back enlistment into the forces for the ones on unemployment more than three months. Watch how many get a job then..

 

[Jack the old fart]

NO WAY....
If they keep putting it up the young people will lose all incentive to work..... Us pensioners are feeling the pinch too , so can we get more ?????? What about the older jobseekers who want to work but keep getting the your too old answer when they go for a job.....
The young people need to go out and get a job, not get hand outs...... majority of young people don't want to work for the little bit more money , when they can sit on their butts and get paid for doing nothing....
If they want extra so they can go out and party, let them get a job....

 

[ARL]

NO WAY....
If they keep putting it up the young people will lose all incentive to work..... Us pensioners are feeling the pinch too , so can we get more ?????? What about the older jobseekers who want to work but keep getting the your too old answer when they go for a job.....
The young people need to go out and get a job, not get hand outs...... majority of young people don't want to work for the little bit more money , when they can sit on their butts and get paid for doing nothing....
If they want extra so they can go out and party, let them get a job....

Rubbish. People want to work. Can you survive in job seeker with all it's onerous requirements