A recent Parliamentary inquiry in Australia has revealed significant recommendations aimed at enhancing the country’s live music industry. The Australian Live Music Business Council (ALMBC) and APRA AMCOS, a music licensing body, have expressed their satisfaction with the outcomes of the inquiry conducted by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Communications and the Arts.
The report titled “Am I Ever Gonna See You Live Again?” presents 20 key recommendations. These recommendations include proposing a ticket levy on large music events to generate funds for grassroots music and venues, suggesting tax offsets for the live music sector, and advocating for improved regulation of live music ticket sales.
ALMBC Chair, Howard Adams, conveyed his delight at the acceptance of all their recommendations. Some of ALMBC’s key recommendations involve the introduction of an Arena Ticket Levy, reforms in insurance policies in collaboration with Music Australia to support risk management for live music businesses, and an expansion of the Revive Live funding program. Additionally, the report emphasizes the importance of training and support for regional live music venues.
The inquiry also highlighted the significance of initiatives such as “Michael’s Rule” to ensure local support for international touring acts, promoting youth engagement in live music, establishing special entertainment precincts nationwide, revising festival policing practices, exploring alternative revenue streams for live music economies, and enhancing Australian content on live streaming platforms.
Moreover, the report explores the feasibility of implementing a rebate or voucher scheme to encourage younger audiences to attend live music events and suggests the creation of designated “special entertainment precincts” under the purview of state, territory, and local governments.
Committee Chair Brian Mitchell stressed the importance of music education for children, not only for cognitive development but also to instill a lifelong love for music, thereby nurturing a new generation of music enthusiasts.
In response to the inquiry, APRA AMCOS Chief Executive, Dean Ormston, underscored the report’s role in charting a path for a more robust and sustainable Australian music industry. Ormston advocated for policy reforms, such as a tax rebate for live music, to support the industry’s growth and cultural vibrancy.
APRA AMCOS has long been a proponent of various measures to bolster the live music sector, including tax offsets, the expansion of the Revive Live program, the establishment of Special Entertainment Precincts, and increasing the visibility of Australian artists on streaming platforms.
Ormston emphasized that the recommendations put forth by the Committee validate years of advocacy efforts by APRA AMCOS and its partners, aiming to secure a prosperous future for Australian music. He highlighted the pivotal role of live music in shaping national identity and as a significant export commodity.
In conclusion, the Parliamentary inquiry’s recommendations offer a strategic roadmap to fortify the Australian live music industry, ensuring its vitality both domestically and on the global stage. The proposed reforms aim to provide much-needed support to venues, festivals, and artists, fostering a vibrant and enduring music ecosystem in Australia.