Labor Promise Millions For Music Industry Ahead Of Election

Just days after announcing that they will restore funding for community radio, the Australian Labor Party has announced they will also commit $5.4 million over three years to Sounds Australia, the Live Music Office and the Australian Music Centre if elected next month. 

A statement released by the Labor party reads, "A Shorten Labor Government will strengthen Australia’s contemporary live music industry by bringing the Live Music Office and the Australian Music Centre under the umbrella of an expanded Sounds Australia to deliver export, domestic and content management strategies.

"The expanded Sounds Australia will develop and strengthen three key areas:

• Export: Expand the operation of Sounds Australia to include the export of all music genres to key and emerging international markets.
• Domestic: Expand the remit of the Live Music Office to include all genres and venue types.
• Content Management: Use the Australian Music Centre content management system to aggregate and promote Australian artists and music content."

In a statement posted to the APRA AMCOS website, Sounds Australia Executive Producer Millie Millgate welcomed the Labor Party's commitment. 

"An investment in Sounds Australia is an investment in fast-tracking music export success globally. Australian talent is far too good to not be seen on the world stage."

Live Music Office Policy Director John Wardle added that the news, "recognises not only the value of the service we provide, but also the importance of investing in coordinated domestic and export music industry development".

Labor have also committed to continue funding for APRA AMCOS' school-based 'Songmakers' program, which invests in future songwriters and composers.