The National Cultural Policy
My submission and other work I've been involved in.
I haven’t written any articles lately. That's because I’ve been busy writing submissions to the Victorian State and Commonwealth Governments on a number of fronts.
The EPA are reviewing the noise protocol and regulations for music.
The Victoria Planning laws relating to live music venues have also been up for review by the Allen Government, which is looking to implement Live Music Precincts as part of a cultural overlay mechanism in the Victoria Planning Provisions.
Both these projects are interrelated, and the work is underway. I’ve written extensively about these areas in this Substack. Once the Allen Government announces the changes, I’ll write about it. Let’s see what is delivered first.
The National Cultural Policy - Revive - is also under review. I have made an extensive and detailed submission, which can be found here.
https://www.arts.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/nncp-1470367-jon-perring.pdf
Much of it I have written about in this substack. I have updated many of the proposals with current research references. There are also new ideas and industry critiques that I’ve not written about before. So, if you're up for it, please have a read.
In summary, my Revive submission covers:
Support for developing professional musicians through a performance-based employment insurance scheme for gigging musicians and a suite of multi-year creative fellowships dedicated to non-performance based musicians.
Music Australia to implement a formal Recommended (non-binding) Minimum Ticket Price for local Live Music shows.
The Australian government to intervene immediately to stop unattributed “black box” Copyright revenues being distributed to the major labels and that these revenues be used to exclusively fund new urgent music industry-related projects such as a superannuation scheme for musicians, an unemployment insurance scheme for working musicians and live music performers, and other underfunded needed areas of the music industry sector to the benefit of musicians, a dedicated portion of which should be Indigenous-led and Indigenous-determined.
Initiate a thorough root and branch review of copyright law to develop policy directions to reform copyright law to fairly serve Australian musicians and
composers.
Initiate action to redirect Copyright revenues from illegal AI impersonation of Australian Artists with deepfakes and the hijacking of Australian Artist’s identities on streaming and online platforms to a music community/industry trust fund.
Clearly define what a professional versus an amateur musician is, so the applicability of the Live Performance Award [MA000081] for musicians is clear, thus removing the existential risk of the economic unviability of the amateur live music scene for shows with audience sizes under 300-400.
Implement an Alcohol Excise and Wine Equalisation Tax rebate scheme for Live Music Venues and Festivals.
Implement a broad parliamentary inquiry into the cost of public liability insurance that covers live music venues and events, including the potential for tort reform or refer the situation experienced by live music venues and festivals to the ACCC.
Update the National Construction Code to include sound attenuation for residential developments from external sound sources.
Implement an Australian publicly owned music streaming platform that streams Australian music content.
The Australian Government should move to set standards of conduct for government arts and cultural bodies, government-funded arts organisations and their officers to better ensure integrity and respect for artists, their works and their right of political expression by
Preparing for criticism and deliberate politicisation of artists and their work from specific interest groups when announcing major commissions and awards.
Requiring Officers of government funded arts bodies to sign a Declaration of Interest that requires them to disclose any association, financial support, or affiliation with foreign governments, military, or state-sponsored entities
Politicians and senior public servants should refrain from attempting to shut down healthy political discussion in our society when artists express a view they may be uncomfortable with.
Finally, a shout out to Music Victoria. Ive read their Revive submission, and it’s on the money.
Also, to the VMDO for putting on the Music Data and Insights Summit for the second year. It's packed with research presentations, report releases and in-depth discussions and analysis. If you missed it, definitely make it next year. It’s dense with wisdom, intellect, and information.
Finally, to the team at Music Australia for conducting the fundamental economic research (amongst other important work) that allows us all to express ideas and proposals based on solid research, as opposed to expounding unfounded opinions. It makes a big difference.
Jon Perring