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The Australian Live Music Business Council (ALMBC) and Live Performance Australia (LPA) have each welcomed today’s launch of the Federal Government’s new National Cultural Policy.

With the Revive initiative to deliver close to $300 million in new investment in the creative industries over the next four years and a series of new initiatives to back the sector, LPA President, Richard Evans stated “across the board, the policy is a strong vote of confidence in Australian creative talent and enterprise. Live Performance Australia and its members look forward to working with government on its implementation and delivery.”

LPA Chief Executive, Evelyn Richardson noted “the policy provides the kickstart our industry has been looking for, and the foundations from which to further develop our strategic investments in the people, organisations and businesses which make up our industry.

“'LPA strongly endorses the broader remit for the Australia Council … an approach we have advocated for several years.

“The $200 million funding uplift for Creative Australia, including the restoration of the funds lost due to budget cuts in 2014, is recognition of its important role as our national investment agency for our cultural and creative industries.

“It better reflects the contemporary workings of the cultural and creative industries and the range of interdependencies across both the not for profit and commercial sectors.

“The Creative Australia model also acknowledges the significant contribution of the commercial sector which supports around two-thirds of audience attendance and revenue, including contemporary music and musical theatre.”

ALMBC has also welcomes the National Cultural Policy and particularly the launch of the new Music Australia body.

ALMBC Chairperson, Stephen Wade added “the ALMBC has been working very hard, across all levels of government, to ensure that our leaders are aware of the multi-faceted crisis in the Australian Music Industry. With issues ranging from rising insurance costs, worker shortages, concentration of competition, workplace safety, lack of targeted Federal Government support - all on top of the well-documented impacts of COVID.

“It is clear that the music industry in Australia has been one of the hardest hit industries in Australia - musicians have really been struggling, but also every part of the industry - venues, festivals, production companies, agents - you name a sector and they have really been hit hard.

“Although we need to wait till the May budget to see the full offer, it is clear that this Federal Government is listening and responding. We welcome the return of $200 million to the Australia Council … especially following the controversies of the RISE Funding program.

“We welcome the creation of Music Australia, within Creative Australia, to support and invest in the development of Australian contemporary music as well as important new approaches to ensure worker safety, build First Nations leadership and even cracking down on fake First Nations visual art.

“We are (also) very relieved to see the long-awaited introduction of local content requirements for streaming platforms - the benefits of this will move across all Australian creative sectors, including music creation, synching and more.

The Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance has also welcomed the Revive policy, with MEAA Chief Executive Erin Madeley saying that the Federal Government had listened to stakeholders and shown it was prepared to act to reinvest in the sector and lift the wages of arts workers.

Madeley stated “Revive provides a solid framework for the arts going forward, and it recognises the central role that the arts and arts workers play in our national story and as a major part of the economy.

“The policy also places a welcome emphasis on participation in artistic and creative activities at a community level so that all Australians, whatever their background or their age, wherever they live, can benefit from cultural activity.

“And it is a refreshing change to have a government that recognises that cultural and creative work is a professional activity that must be underpinned by enforceable fair pay and conditions, including safe and inclusive workplaces."

Madeley said the National Cultural Policy provided a roadmap for the arts and entertainment sectors over the next half-a-decade, and MEAA looked forward to working with the government to bed down specific initiatives, particularly the requirements for Australian screen content on streaming platforms to ensure continued access to local stories.

Once in place, these new content requirements will deliver a big boost to investment in Australian made productions, in turn creating thousands more jobs and opportunities for our world-class performers and crew.

Click here to read the new Policy.

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