Today APRA, release the Life’s Better With Live report which describes the contribution contemporary musicians make to the Australian economy, 2 billion annually, with 42 million people attending 328,000 gigs in 3900 venues across Australia, and generating almost 15,000 full-time jobs.
Prime Minister Gillard recently handed President Obama two iconic symbols that define our love as a nation; a footy for sport and an ipod full of Contemporary Australian music, yet our Federal Government’s commitment to funding and nurturing of Contemporary Australian music is appalling.
SLAM call on the Federal Government to fulfil their 2007 / 2010 election commitments for the contemporary music sector.

These promises included:

• Social Security and the Arts policy – Art Start (Election promise 2007); amend the Migration Regulations 1994 for the Temporary Entertainment Visa to require Australian supports for all international acts (Election promise in 2007)
• Work with States, Territories and local government to reduce barriers to live music performance and encourage live music precincts (Election promise 2007)
• And to complete the Strategic Contemporary Music Industry Plan and introduce its components,including; The creation of a National Live Music Coordinator position

• To develop a best practice guide to improve workplaces for live performance.

In addition to government at all levels reviewing arts funding for contemporary music, the Federal Government should consider:

• That a portion of the revenue derived from the Alcohol Excise and Wine Equalization Tax, which is generated by the economic activity of live music, goes into a music fund that goes back to the group that is driving this tax revenue. This should be in the form of a hypothecated fund, accessible to musicians, to assist them in developing their professional careers and creative practices
• Amend the R and D tax offset that specifically excludes arts development: this would allow arts orientated private enterprises to invest in arts development creating economic and cultural wealth.

We strongly call for equality in arts funding for contemporary music and a functional regulatory framework across all government levels. It is timely, that a position is created for a national live music officer to act as a centralised point for research, information and advice. This report justifies the call.

“Life is better with Live Music for everyone, except the practitioners, Australia’s musicians, who continue to earn much less than the dole, on average $10,000 per year. Whilst alcohol remains the currency of live music, the Government and Alcohol companies continue to reap huge rewards, however, our musicians who provide the draw card, the background, the ambience, the excitement and the passion are cut out of the profits.” Helen Marcou SLAM Co Founder

www.slamrally.org