Michael Gudinski Makes Scathing Comments On Government Support

Veteran music promoter Michael Gudinski has launched a passionate plea for increased Goernment funding for Australian contemporary artists, holding both of the major parties responsible.

Speaking at the Face The Music conference in Melbourne alongside son Matt Gudinski, Michael was scathing of Government funding, saying that the biggest thing holding Australian music back was “The fucking government, straight out.”

“If you want to support artists, you need money… Australia needs to support it's own,” he said. “The Liberal Party are in, and they're in. if they want to make a big statement [they should look to music].”

A self-proclaimed Labor supporter, he compared Australia to the Canadian music scene, where Ontario recently announced a $45 million fund over three years. By comparison, Gudinski said, the Australia Council has a budget of $5 million.

“I think it is a disgrace that there's not a fucking Australian artist playing a 15 minute performance before every international,” Gudinski said. “What the hell did Peter Garrett do by going to politics? He fucked up a good band.”

The rousing speech, which facilitator Lars Brandle described as a “get out of the way moment”, finished with, “Our artist need government support and there should be the Australian invasion, please give me that before I die.”