Mushroom Group Severs Ties With Harbour Agency Following Workplace Investigation

It’s been revealed that Mushroom Group has severed its long-standing relationship with live booking agency The Harbour Agency, which represents the likes of John Farnham, Kasey Chambers, Missy Higgins, Killing Heidi and more.

As reported by The Australian, the split follows an external investigation into The Harbour Agency which was triggered by “historical allegations about management behaviour and workplace culture”.

In a statement issued to The Australian, a Mushroom Group spokesperson said: “For many years now, Harbour has operated independently of the Mushroom Group. Unlike all other Mushroom Group companies it has not shared HR, legal, finance or other group corporate services.

“Recently several former Harbour Agency staff contacted Mushroom with historical allegations about management behaviour and workplace culture of the Harbour Agency.

“External investigators were appointed and the concerns raised were investigated, including via interviews with a number of former staff. The issues raised by the investigation have been taken seriously and are now being addressed by the directors of Harbour Agency.”

The spokesperson added: “At Mushroom we take the creation of a positive and creative workplace culture seriously and, without the ability to influence the culture at Harbour, Mushroom has made the decision to formally separate the business from the group.”

In response to Mushroom’s statement, The Harbour Agency told The Australian it “takes workplace culture very seriously”.

“We are proud to promote an inclusive, culturally diverse and safe environment which nurtures the skills of budding industry leaders as well as extending these values to our clients and the industry as a whole,” The Harbour Agency said.

“In effect, any previous issues within the Harbour Agency have been assessed and dealt with over a period of time as is consistent with our values.

“At no point during Mushroom’s external investigation were any current employees interviewed. Had these accounts been included, the findings may have told a different story.”

The exact details of the complaints were not made public.

Mushroom Group, which was founded by the late Michael Gudinski in 1972, maintains control of live booking agency Premier Artists, which boasts an extensive roster.