Advocacy Body Warns Of Australian Music Industry Crisis, Targeting Key Electorates

Rajiv Sharma

5 min read

Post on May 29, 2025

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Key Findings of the Advocacy Body's Report

MAU's comprehensive report paints a bleak picture of the current state of the Australian music industry. Decades of underfunding, coupled with the disruptive impact of digital streaming services, have created a perfect storm. The report meticulously details a range of critical issues, including:

• Declining Live Music Attendance: A significant drop in live music attendance across the country, particularly in regional areas, impacting venues and artists alike. This decline is linked to increased ticket prices, reduced disposable income among consumers, and the rise of alternative entertainment options.
• Reduced Funding for Arts and Culture: Persistent cuts to government funding for arts and culture programs have left many artists struggling to survive. This lack of support hampers creativity, innovation, and the development of new talent.
• Unfair Streaming Royalties: The report highlights the ongoing struggle for Australian artists to receive fair compensation from major streaming platforms. The low royalty rates paid per stream make it incredibly difficult for musicians to earn a living wage from their music. This is impacting live music Australia significantly.
• Rising Costs: The cost of producing music, including studio time, equipment, and marketing, has skyrocketed, placing an enormous burden on independent artists and smaller labels. This also severely impacts Australian music funding efforts.

The report includes alarming statistics, such as a 25% decrease in live music revenue over the past five years and a 40% drop in funding for independent music projects. These figures clearly demonstrate the urgent need for music industry support and reform in streaming royalties Australia.

Impact on Key Electorates

The Australian Music Industry Crisis is not felt uniformly across the country. MAU's report specifically targets electorates with significant music scenes and high concentrations of music-related businesses. These include:

• Sydney: The impact on Sydney's vibrant music scene includes widespread venue closures, job losses among musicians, technicians, and venue staff, and a decline in tourism revenue associated with live music events.
• Melbourne: Similar to Sydney, Melbourne’s music sector faces significant challenges, with reduced funding for arts programs and a rising cost of living squeezing independent artists.
• Regional Victoria and NSW: Regional areas have been disproportionately affected, with many smaller venues closing down due to lack of funding and declining attendance. This has led to significant job losses and economic hardship in these communities. The struggle for regional music Australia is particularly acute.

The crisis disproportionately impacts young people, particularly those working in music jobs Australia, contributing to high rates of unemployment and precarious work arrangements. The impact on regional music Australia is a significant concern for MAU.

Proposed Solutions and Policy Recommendations

MAU's report proposes a range of solutions and policy recommendations to address the Australian Music Industry Crisis. These include:

• Increased Government Funding: A significant increase in government funding for arts and culture programs, specifically targeting live music venues, artist development initiatives, and music education. This is a crucial step towards ensuring government funding music.
• Tax Breaks for Musicians and Music Businesses: Implementing tax breaks and incentives for musicians and music businesses to reduce financial burdens and encourage investment in the industry. This is critical to fostering Australian music policy.
• Fair Streaming Royalties: Implementing legislation to ensure that Australian artists receive fair and equitable royalties from streaming platforms, similar to models adopted in other countries.
• Support for Independent Venues: Providing financial assistance and support for independent live music venues to help them stay afloat and continue to provide platforms for Australian artists. This will aid music industry reform Australia.

Call to Action for Musicians and Industry Professionals

The time to act is now. MAU urges all musicians, industry professionals, and music lovers to actively participate in the fight to save the Australian music industry. You can:

• Contact your elected officials: Let your representatives know that you care about the future of Australian music and demand action on the recommendations outlined in the MAU report.
• Join advocacy groups: Join MAU and other advocacy organizations to amplify your voice and participate in collective action.
• Support local music venues: Attend gigs, buy merchandise, and support your local venues to help them survive and thrive.

Visit [MAU website link] to learn more and get involved. This is our chance to support Australian music and make a difference.

Conclusion: Addressing the Australian Music Industry Crisis: A Call to Action

The Australian Music Industry Crisis is a serious threat to our cultural heritage and the livelihoods of countless Australians. The key findings of MAU’s report, coupled with the disproportionate impact on key electorates, underscore the urgency for immediate action. The proposed solutions—increased funding, fair royalties, and support for local venues—are crucial steps towards revitalizing the Australian music industry. Help prevent the further decline of the Australian music industry. Get involved today! Contact your elected officials, support the advocacy body, and participate in relevant initiatives to support Australian music and ensure a vibrant future for our music scene.