Labor To Invest Millions Into Australian Music With New Arts Policy

The Australian Labor Party (ALP) will announce plans to invest millions of dollars into the Australian music industry if elected next weekend. 

The ALP's music and arts policy, to be announced in Melbourne this afternoon, will not only invest into artists, venues and industry programmes, but it will also take on fake tickets which has continued to be problematic in Australia in recent times. 

Some of the points to be outlined in today's policy include:

• $20 million for an Australian Music Live Music Fund to support live music venues, hotels, restaurants, cafes, festivals, precinct events and musicians for the presentation of Australian music through a new grants stimulus program
• Sounds Australia will receive over $10 million in support for music exports and live music
• $100,000 per year of funding into a new recordings program
• $2.1 million to the Australian Independent Record Labels Association (AIR) to provide mentoring programs for female musicians and key industry roles
• $3.5 million for stage three of the Woodford Festival’s plan to transform the facility in to be used all year round
• Legislating a resale price cap of 110%, banning ticket-buying bots, and directing the Australian competition and consumer commission (ACCC) to review the measues

Adding to this, Labor will invest heavily into Indigenous music and arts confirming $2.7 million will be put forward to establishing a grants program for both emerging and established.

$40 million will also be provided to the ABC for Australian content, including music and comedy, as well as scripted drama and children's programming.

"Policy certainty is critical for the entire cultural sector, and the announcement today provides an important framework for our industry," APRA AMCOS CEO Dean Ormston said.

"The support for Australian contemporary music in this arts policy, in addition to the previously released Soundtrack Australia policy, will provide vital investment for artists at all stages of their career.

"The commitment to boost funding for the Australia Council as well as announcements to support live music venues, indigenous music and women in music programs is to be applauded.

"As clearly articulated in the House Standing Committee on Communications and the Arts’ inquiry into factors contributing to the growth and sustainability of the Australian music, with the right government and industry partnership Australia has the potential to go from a music nation to a music powerhouse.

"APRA AMCOS has long argued that with the depth of talent across the country, and the increasing international appetite for Australian music, an investment partnership will pay critical export, cultural and economic dividends for the whole nation."