The Australian music industry’s relationship with the federal government is similar to any romantic one.
There have always been heaps of declarations about love and commitment. Frequently, though, no tangible actions have backed up that “sweet talk”.
Thankfully, the Albanese administration seems to be taking things more seriously. And it looks like good things are on the horizon for the arts sector as a whole.
Actually, this time, it all started with declarations and promises, too. There have been talks about reviving the arts in Australia since May 2022, when the current government began its tenure.
And there are solid reasons behind the need for that conversation.
The Australian music sector, for instance, marked an over 8% growth in 2022, as per the Global Music Report 2023. Other statistics show Australians listen to over 20 hours of music a week, according to Julia Robinson, the Head of Policy and Advocacy at ARIA PPCA.
As an external observer, I reckon there’s one significant thing that differentiates this administration from the previous ones. And it is a genuine interest in making the creative industry a better place for both creators and audiences.
It might have something to do with the fact that both Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Minister for the Arts Tony Burke are music lovers. They often participate in music events and happily share their song picks publicly. So it’s surely easier for them to put themselves in the industry’s shoes.
Both have also publicly expressed empathy with the creative sector. The PM has declared that “arts jobs are real jobs.” And the Minister has called artists “essential workers” explaining: “You touch our hearts, and you are a $17 billion contributor to our economy. You create art, and you create exports. You make works, and you provide work. You are entertaining, you are essential, you are required.”
Jan 30th, 2023 was a pivotal day for the arts sector in Australia. A comprehensive plan, included in the “Revive” Cultural Policy document and subtitled “A Place For Every Story, A Story For Every Place”, was revealed. The paper lays the foundations for a few “revolutions” in the creative realm. It is based on five pillars: First Nations First, A Place for Every Story, Centrality of the Artist, Strong Cultural Infrastructure and Engaging the Audience.
While the Australian music industry generally welcomed the document, there were still some reservations about whether its objectives would be translated into concrete propositions, like funding, legislation or institutional support. ARIA CEO, Annabelle Heard, summarised those concerns in one sentence: “We cannot afford to get this wrong.”
But a lot of the assumptions have actually been confirmed in Australia’s new Federal Budget released at the beginning of May 2023.
So what is the plan for the arts industry revival?
Firstly, what is known today as the Australia Council for the Arts – an arts funding and advisory body for the Government of Australia – will become Creative Australia. And within it, there will be “a national music development function” called Music Australia, encompassing other organisations supporting the Australian music business, like its export music office – Sounds Australia.
The creation of this new peak body for music in the Land Down Under is a direct reaction to a pitch put together by the country’s 18 music organisations. It suggested a “move from a music nation to a global music powerhouse that can fully realise the cultural, economic and social benefits of a vibrant, healthy and sustainable music industry accessible to all Australians.”
In other good news, significant funds have been directed to make that happen. The Federal Government has assigned A$69.4 million to establish the new institution over four years.
Plus A$35.5 million will be invested in First Nations arts and culture development.
An additional A$8.1 million goes towards the establishment of the Centre for Arts and Entertainment Workplaces, intended to address bullying, sexual harassment and mistreatment in the arts industry. And that makes me happy. Because it means that it will also benefit the Aussie music industry’s mental health charity, Support Act, which I’m a big fan of.
Last but not least, the Government hasn’t forgotten about arts education, forking out A$2.6 million for schools, too. And we all know how underestimated music, for instance, can be in the educational system of any country.
Just to be clear, all those exciting promises still need to be validated by the parliament before anything can be implemented. For now, it’s expected the budget will have been passed by July 1st. And only then can things start happening.
Like me, you might be wondering then what Music Australia will look like. The truth is, nobody knows just yet.
What has been confirmed is that the Minister for the Arts will appoint the Council composed of eight representatives with “relevant and appropriate experience in music”, who will advise Music Australia. So there is hope for broad consultations within the industry before that happens.
Adrian Collette, the CEO of the Australia Council for the Arts (soon Creative Australia), thinks it should be “light on bureaucrats”. Instead, it should include a broad industry representation: from artists and managers to labels (including the big and independent ones) and even music for screen reps. In his opinion, the sector’s diversity in all its shapes and forms needs to be reflected.
The CEO of the Australia Council of the Arts/ Creative Australia will also be the one to appoint the director of Music Australia upon consultation with the Minister for the Arts. I’m super curious to find out who that first appointee will be.
When it comes to Music Australia’s activities, the consensus is that it should prioritise discoverability, export and skills training as the current model, based on which the Australian music business operates, is outdated. Other aspects which may become the peak body’s focus are touring, accountancy and managing the business (especially since most musos are small entrepreneurs).
Last but not least, why is this important at all?
In my humble view, having a national peak body and centralising its music policy on a few vital fronts (like exporting) can help Australia become an influential market in the (near) future. And that would benefit not only the incredible acts and music that deserve to be heard outside its borders but – ultimately – boost the country’s economy, too.
Time will tell if my predictions are correct.
Update – November 2023
Millie Millgate from Sounds Australia has been appointed the Director of Music Australia.
Update – September 2023
The Music Australia Council has now been appointed. It features the following members:
Fred Alale, co-founder and chair of African Music and Cultural Festivals Inc.
Lisa Baker, manager of creative cultural development, City of Playford
Danielle Caruana (Mama Kin), artist and founder/director of The Seed Fund
Michael Chugg, founder of Chugg Entertainment
Petrina Convey, owner and director of UNITY. Mgmt
Fred Leone, artist
Nathan McLay, CEO of Future Classic
Dr Sophie Payten (Gordi), artist
Cover image: Photo by Deleece Cook on Unsplash
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