NSW Labor Promises Fair Pay For Musicians

NSW Labor is promising a $250 minimum fee for artists who perform at publicly funded events.

Ahead of the March 2023 New South Wales state election, the opposition plans to address underpaid musicians in the entertainment sector.

The $250 flat fee will be a condition of a contract by a business or other entity that accepts a government grant for a show or event. While there is currently no guarantee that artists will receive a minimum fee for performing at events funded by public money in New South Wales, a Chris Minns-led government aims to change things.

NSW Labor successfully passed a motion in support of $250 for artists in the NSW Upper House last year, despite the Liberal and National parties voting against it. 

"We want New South Wales to be the music centre of the country, and our policy settings should reflect that," Chris Minns, Leader of the Opposition, said. "Musicians need to be understood as workers, and as small businesses, they need to be adequately compensated for their work."

John Graham, NSW Shadow Minister for the Arts, Music and the Night Time Economy, added: "Musicians are some of the lowest-paid workers in NSW. They are the original gig workers. When public funding goes into an event, the public expect that the musicians are paid a reasonable wage."

Melbourne-via-Adelaide artist Wolfjay played shows that paid at least a $250 performance fee, but often closer to $400 in 2021 and 2022.

Speaking with The Music earlier this year, Wolfjay shared that they were hesitant about writing their first annual report that tracks their income and expenses in music. "I don't want to set the expectation that losing so much money is how it has to be done," they say. 

They also believe that touring needs an upheaval, as playing interstate incurs a 100% loss. "The most I would make in Sydney would be $500-$600 once everyone else is paid. That's if it's sold out and it's priced well. And that might cover my flights, maybe, and bringing my gear. But then everything else is out of pocket."

Garbage singer Shirley Manson recently revealed a harsh reality: "A large percentage of musicians that you know and love are likely living hand to mouth."

Manson criticised corporations making billions from musicians' hard work without sharing profits. "This can not stand. We will lose a whole generation of young artists if it does," she continued. Think of it this way; she said, "So many of the artists that we revere and hold dear throughout history would have been utterly destroyed by this system entirely. Musicians cannot survive without being paid fairly for their music."