'We're Not Asking For Handouts': Music Industry Responds To Labor Win

The Australian music industry has stated that it’s “not asking for any handouts” but rather collaboration with the new Government “to create a stronger future for music, our artists, and all creative industries”.

Key industry bodies ARIA, PPCA and APRA AMCOS have welcomed and congratulated Prime Minister Anthony Albanese following Labor’s victory across the weekend.

In the lead up to the election, Labor unveiled an arts policy that promised to be a game-changer.

Following the election results, ARIA and PPCA CEO Annabelle Herd has stated: “We are not asking for any handouts.. We are asking for the new Government to work with the industry to create a stronger future for music, our artists, and all creative industries.

“A strong music economy and recognition of the true economic and cultural value of local music benefits more than artists and music industry professionals. The business of music now extends from legacy music catalogues and IP ownership, to gaming and tech industries and everything in between. 

“With the correct government support, this is a significant potential driver of GDP. It is critical that the real value of music is acknowledged and supported in the same way that the government supports film, television and sport.

“We also welcome Mr Albanese’s commitment to equality, safety, and respect for women and everyone in our society, progressing action on the Uluru Statement From the Heart, and climate action, which are all important issues to members of the local music community.”

APRA AMCOS Chief Executive Dean Ormston added that they were looking forward to “working with them on a whole-of-government approach to support the development and growth of Australian music both at home and around the world”.

"The Australian music industry released a three-point plan prior to the election where it articulated a vision for the sector. The three priorities centre around direct investment in the creation of great new Australian music, skills development and global exports, incentivising the use of local content on streaming and broadcast platforms, insurance to provide certainty for local audiences, and support to build industry sustainability including through First Nations-led programs.

"We were pleased to see Labor arts spokesperson Tony Burke last week announce an arts and creative industries policy that would tackle some of the major issues facing our industry and commit to developing a cultural plan for the nation based on the 2013 Creative Australia policy.

"The cultural, social and economic benefits of investing in Australia's contemporary music industry are substantive and far-reaching. 

"Australian music is one of our nation's great success stories and one of our great cultural exports. It is the local music industry that project's Australia's vibrant, diverse and ancient First Nations cultures to the world.

"Whether it is at a concert, stadium, festival, pub or nightclub, in film, digital games, broadcast or streamed, it is the local music industry that provides a soundtrack to the nation, bringing communities together and lifting the spirit of audiences in every suburb, city or town.

"The opportunity for the Albanese Labor Government is to foster the development of music with a smart whole-of-government approach across the portfolios of cultural diplomacy, trade, tourism, small business, education, health and arts to take full advantage of the industry's impact.

"An investment approach developed in partnership with the music industry will see dividends in cultural development, employment opportunities and will enhance the social fabric of the nation.

"It will also pay dividends for industries that rely heavily on music, whether it be hospitality, the visitor and night-time economy, tourism and regional development.

"We thank the Morrison Government and outgoing Arts Minister Paul Fletcher for the support they showed our industry during COVID-19 which has been one of the greatest challenges to face the tens of thousands of artists, sole-traders, workers and small businesses that are part of the music industry ecology."

You can read more details on the industry’s three-point plan here.