CONTENT WARNING: This article discusses sexual abuse, harassment, and systemic discrimination.
A group of people from the Australian music industry formed a volunteer committee to begin the discussions around how to drive cultural change within the local music scene, with a focus on sexual harm, harassment, and systemic discrimination. Following her huge interview on The Project where she discussed her own sexual assault within the music community,
Jaguar Jonze was invited to be part of the initial gathering of industry figures, and detailed the wider consultation process on her Instagram this week.
The meeting, which was facilitated by an independent consultant, also included other musicians, figures from record labels, the Australian Festivals Association, Music NSW, journalists, and artist management groups. From this first session, the group released a list of immediate steps that need to be taken to kick off the music industry’s charge against its systemic issues.
Bluesfest Shutdown Could Cost Over $10m In Losses For The Festival
Bluesfest is expected to face more than $10 million in losses following the snap decision by the New South Wales government to shutdown the iconic event with less than one days notice.
When the New South Wales government shutdown Bluesfest 2021 because of the risk of Covid transmission, the Queensland government had yet to rule on an extension for the state’s Covid lockdown. At 9am the following day, Queensland announced it was reopening after a 3 day lockdown. Meanwhile the Bluesfest damage caused by the New South Wales kneejerk to the Queensland situation, was starting to unfold.
Statement From The Australian Festivals Association Following Bluesfest Cancellation
The Australian Festivals Association has issued a statement following the last minute cancellation of Bluesfest.
Following the New South Wales Government’s decision to cancel Bluesfest, the festival is expected to cop a $10 million loss and the Byron Bay region in northern New South Wales is expected to absorb a $100 million downturn from associated business Bluesfest brings to the area.
On top of this, the music industry is impacted once again by the sudden loss of income for hundreds of musicians and thousands of workers, right as the Federal Government is cancelling all income support with its Jobkeeper program.
By: Christie Eliezer
Live Sector Calls For Extension Of Jobkeeper Subsidy Scheme
Dean OrmstonThe live sector is calling on the Australian government to extend its Jobkeeper subsidy scheme for its members. Introduced March 2020, it offered pandemic affected companies A$1,500 ($1,157) per fortnight for each employee. In September, it was extended it to end of March 2021 at a cost of A$100 billion ($77.1 billion).
The sector, which relied heavily on the subsidies for its survival, argues it is unable to restart trading following COVID-19 outbreaks, quarantine breaches and sudden state border closures.
“(These) mean that any local live music events and national touring is impossible to plan. Hospitality and tourism dollars generated from our sector remain stifled. We are an industry in crisis,” said Dean Ormston, chief executive of APRA AMCOS, a major rights association which includes the Live Music Office.