APRA AMCOS research: Music is an election issue

Australians have voiced their support for local music with 72% indicating a commitment to invest in music could influence their vote in the upcoming federal election. 

APRA AMCOS, which distributes songwriting royalties for around 3 million copyright owners worldwide, released its latest survey findings today.

Taken between June 6 and 14 this year, APRA AMCOS’ survey of 9,858 Australians found 98% of respondents want the government to invest in local music.

What’s more, 91% believe music creates job growth and drives innovation and 90% believe it’s an export industry worth millions of dollars to the economy. It is; live contemporary music generates revenue of $2 billion annually (E&Y), while the entire contemporary music sector contributes close to $6 billion to the Australian economy annually.

Watch Jimmy Barnes, Sheppard, Josh Pyke, Katie Noonan, Megan Washington, Gossling, Dustin Tebbutt and Benny Walker voice their support for local music below:

APRA AMCOS plans to present its survey results to government in the coming weeks.

According to 2014 report The Economic and Cultural Value of Live Music in Australia by University of Tasmania, expenditure associated with live music in Australia is estimated to create close to 65,000 full time and part time jobs.

As the 6th largest music market in the world, Australian songwriters and artists are among the most treasured in the world. According to APRA AMCOS, Australian songwriters broke 2014/2015 records with a 25% increase in international performance royalty income. It was surprising then that the Australian music industry had to rally around Sounds Australia after its funding loss from the Australian Government’s $20 million Catalyst program.

The survey findings should make local music an election issue before Australians head to polls on July 2. The arts sector is already a priority for the Australian Greens, who launched the first part of their Arts Policy earlier this month. The party says it will reverse $104 million worth of funding cuts by the Liberals, and invest an additional $270.2 million into the arts sector.

Additionally, the Queensland Budget is allocating an additional $41.8 million investment in Queensland’s arts sector over the next four years.  

As reported in TMN today, Australia’s artists and arts worker are holding a Day of Action tomorrow (Friday June 17) to emphasise the scale and value of the arts in this country.