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New government means a new era for music industry in NSW

Media Published Monday 27 March 2023
L-R: APRA AMCOS CEO Dean Ormston, Chris Minns NSW Premier Elect, David Harris MP, APRA Chair Jenny Morris, John Graham MLC, Yasmin Catley MP, APRA AMCOS Ambassador and artist Ngaiire.

APRA AMCOS, the region’s largest music industry body with over 115,000 songwriter, composer and publisher members, welcomes the election of a Minns Labor Government in NSW.

“The $103 million music policy they took to the election was historic. This level of investment will put NSW on par with some of the great music jurisdictions of the world; Quebec Canada, Liverpool England and Seoul South Korea,” said Dean Ormston, Chief Executive APRA AMCOS.

“The NSW Labor commitment will see a much needed injection into the live music sector which has suffered over-regulation for many years. It will also help supercharge songwriting, recording, export and music industry development and make the state an international leader in music creation and presentation.

“NSW is already home to the nation’s music industry and the majority of Australia’s artists, industry workers and businesses. But the music economy is global and competition is fierce. A Goldman Sachs report into the international music market estimates a booming decade for the music industry, with total music revenue to double to about $131 billion by 2030.

“If Australia wants a piece of that pie we need ambitious policies like NSW Labor’s that work in partnership with industry and get the investment, regulation and policy settings right.

“With the new government and the establishment of Sound NSW, a state music development agency, it will be crucial to reform key government agencies including the Office of the 24 Hour Economy Commissioner, Destination NSW and Create NSW to have a coordinated and meaningful policy approach to music.

“There have been five parliamentary inquiries into the NSW music industry since 2018 that investigated the regulatory and investment barriers limiting the sector’s activity and potential. In 2020 the music industry led reforms with the NSW Parliament to remove unnecessary red tape around music and cultural activity. These reforms gave local regions the power to establish special entertainment precincts to foster live music businesses and safe night-time economies. But these regulations have languished for over two years.

“We look forward to working with new Minister for Music and Night Time Economy John Graham MLC on resetting the work of key agencies and establishing Sound NSW to provide proper leadership for the local music industry. The commitment to also support the implementation of the music industry’s Raising Their Voices Report is to be applauded. As is the commitment for government to use local music for government advertising, on-hold music and government buildings.

“We also look forward to working with key agencies across government including Planning, Trade and Investment, Education, Aboriginal Affairs, Liquor & Gaming and Tourism to establish a whole of government approach to our industry.

“Now with NSW Labor’s music policy, as well as the Australian Government’s commitment to establish and invest in a national music development agency, Music Australia, the music industry can look at coordinating serious state and federal approach to the sector’s development across the nation and work to achieve our ambition to become a net exporter of music.”

APRA AMCOS acknowledges the work of the previous government, in particular Victor Dominello, Don Harwin, Ben Franklin and Stuart Ayres for their support of music venues during COVID-19 and the regulatory reform achieved during the time of the parliament.