Inquiry recommends night-time economy commissioner, rent relief to save Canberra nightlife

A report on the ACT's embattled night-time economy has recommended that the ACT government establish a Night-Time Economy Commissioner.

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The report, released this morning, notes that the Commissioner should have strong industry experience within the nightlife sector and act as an advocate for the sector within the government.

Manager of The Cupping Room, Danny Moreno, says that he has been "crying out" for 18 months now. Picture by Keegan Carroll

"Local venues and creatives need a champion within government whose job is to work collaboratively with them to enliven our city at night," Mr Emerson said.

Canberra's night-time businesses have been squeezed by a number of factors since the pandemic, including soaring insurance and rent costs, increased outlays on alcohol and food, and declining discretionary spending by customers.

Independent MLA Thomas Emerson has been advocating for a Night-Time Economy Commissioner since 2024. Picture by Keegan Carroll

As the ACT's nightlife spending increasingly leans towards dining rather than drinking, bar owners have also expressed that a demographic shift is to blame for lowering alcohol sales, with Generation Z being "20 times less likely" to drink than baby boomers.

The ACT government expressed in a submission to the inquiry that, though NSW and Queensland have legislated similar roles, the ACT did not require a Night-Time Economy Commissioner due to its "unique administrative characteristics" and "more streamlined system" as a smaller jurisdiction.

Before 2025, the then-Minister for the Night-Time Economy, Tara Cheyne, had been against the idea of a Commissioner role, saying that government support could not make up for lack of patronage.

Former Minister for the Night-Time Economy, Tara Cheyne, expressed support for a Night-Time Economy Commissioner in 2025. Picture by Gary Ramage

During public hearings for the inquiry, however, Ms Cheyne changed her mind, expressing support for the Commissioner role.

"But I think it is a matter of asking: what will lift the city so that people are going out all the time?" she said.

"Does that need a strategy, or does it need us instead providing the best regulatory settings, and the best pathway navigation? That could be through a particular role to connect the right people so that something can happen and government otherwise gets out of the way."

Mr Emerson said he had "never seen a Minister change their mind mid-inquiry based on the strength of evidence from witnesses".

The report also recommended that stronger support measures be established for businesses in Civic affected by ongoing light rail construction, such as direct financial assistance or means-tested rent relief.

"We do find that Canberrans are just avoiding the city, weekends in particular have dropped low, almost half," he said in February.

Mr Moreno said he and other business owners and operators had been "crying out" for financial assistance for years.

"18 months later, they're finally recommending that we get assistance... by now, we're only just hanging on.

"We've all been bunkered down just trying to survive. Any support would obviously be greatly appreciated."

Mr Emerson thanked the many business owners and operators in the hospitality industry who came before the committee with their experiences during the inquiry.

"It's a credit both to those who participated in the inquiry for putting forward their views in a compelling way, and to the Minister for her willingness to engage with those views."

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