After the death of two people at Defqon.1 music festival in Penrith, Premier Gladys Berejiklian has set a high-level expert panel to provide advice on safer music festivals in NSW. 

Defqon.1 music festival, which was held on 15 September, left two people dead and many others injured from drug-related injuries. 

23-year-old Sydney man Joseph Pham and 21-year-old Victorian woman Diana Nguyen died from drug overdose and fatal heart attacks over the weekend.  

More than 15 people were hospitalised for drug-related injuries following the festival, with three in critical conditions. 

In addition, up to 700 people at the festival sought help for drug related issues. 

“We need to do everything we can to protect the safety of concert goers and people attending music festivals,” Ms Berejiklian said. 

“That is why I have tasked our health, law enforcement and regulatory experts to advice Government on what can be done immediately to improve safety at these events,” she added. 

The expert panel will include the Police Commissioner, Mick Fuller APM, NSW Chief Medical Officer Dr Kerry Chant, and the Chair of the Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority Philip Crawford. 

They will provide advice on whether the new offences or increased penalties will be required to stop drug dealers, how music festival promoters and operators will improve safety at their festivals, and the necessity of improved drug education in the community. 

“I want people to be able to enjoy music festivals- they are an important part of NSW’s entertainment scene. But unfortunately, the operators of this particular festival have had a poor safety record with four deaths in the last five years and many more being treated for drug-related injuries. This is simply not good enough,” Ms Berejiklian said. 

The panel will provide its advice and recommendations within four weeks.