APRA welcomes governments live music accord
Wednesday, 24 February 2010
APRA has welcomed the Victorian government’s Live Music Accord, which goes some way towards addressing the unintended consequences that strict security conditions were having on live music venues across the State.
The Accord coincided with a Don’t Kill Live Music protest rally in which tens of thousands of live music supporters – bands, community sports teams, publicans and business owners, and well known artists including Paul Kelly, Dobe Newton, Jon Perring, Clare Bowditch, Angie Hart, Mark Seymor, Swanee, Tim Rogers, Vika and Linda, Paul Dempsey, Kram and Wilbur Wilde – marched through the heart of Melbourne today.
Dean Ormston, Director, Corporate Services APRA|AMCOS said the rally was demonstration that there was still a way to go in terms of achieving sensible regulation but the Live Music Accord was an important step in the right direction.
The Live Music Accord recognises that the current application of security conditions is having unintended consequences on some live music venues and the government has committed to researching a more appropriate alternative to the automatic coupling of live music and high risk security conditions on liquor licences.
“It’s great to see that the Government is keen to resolve the issues impacting the live music scene within six months and that they have stepped up their investment in the local industry including new lobby group Music Victoria and the successful Victoria Rocks program,” Mr Ormston said.
“We appreciate that there is a real need to identify risk factors associated with alcohol fuelled violence and anti-social behaviour in Victoria and inner Melbourne in particular. However failure to reach a compromise would have seriously jeopardised Melbourne’s position as Australia’s live music capital. APRA will therefore continue to work with the government and industry on finding a workable solution.
“The Accord is particularly good news for Victoria’s live music economy – with up to 1,000 venues offering some form of live music, contributing more than $32 million to live music artists in 2008/09 alone.
“We congratulate Music Victoria; Fair Go 4 Live Music, Save Live Australia’s Music, the AHA and hospitality industry associations and others whom we have assisted in presenting the case for change to the State government in recent weeks,” he said.
For up to date information on the issue, please visit our social media spaces:
More information: Dean Ormston
Director – Corporate Affairs and Communications
Phone: (02) 9935 7900
Email: comms@apra.com.au
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