Matters of Interest

Music Royalties

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA (15:23): APRA AMCOS (Australasian Performing Right Association Limited and Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society Limited) act for the interests of songwriters and music publishers, offering authorised services such as membership, licensing, distribution and international arrangements. Its role also includes industry development, professional development, digital content guidance, grants for the local music industry, investing in talent and awards to recognise and celebrate creators of music.

At the heart, APRA AMCOS assist music creators to receive revenue for their work and provide users with uncomplicated ways to copy and legally play the music. APRA AMCOS disburses royalties to its members, which is achieved through the licensing of businesses and organisations who perform, play, record or grant access to the music of its members.

APRA AMCOS has approximately 90,000 members, who include songwriters, music publishers and composers. The review of 2015-16 revealed that 142,378 businesses are licensed across Australia and New Zealand. In South Australia, 500 venues possess APRA licences to play or perform live music. The APRA licensed venues include governments, hotels, performing arts centres, nightclubs, restaurants, retail businesses, schools and universities, to name a few. APRA AMCOS Head of Revenue, Richard Mallett said:

The majority of hotels, bars and nightclubs not only recognise the importance of music to their business and its ability to attract and hold clientele, but understand they also have an obligation to ensure that songwriters are properly paid.

The royalties artists receive are a significant part of their overall income. APRA AMCOS wants to see a financially sustainable music industry. Licensing agreements are an important part of this.

The Live Music Office and Sounds Australia are sponsored by APRA AMCOS, and the Live Music Office works closely with the South Australian Music Development Office and Music SA, playing a significant role in advocating for strategic planning and improved regulation. APRA AMCOS is assisting the Live Music Office by way of contributing to creating better regulation work, which is underway in South Australia. This includes:

supporting the removal of entertainment consent provisions from the Liquor Licencing Act;

creating the small arts venue and assembly building state variations to the National Construction Code; and

advocating for the low impact exempt development regulation reforms to the Development Act.

The viability of the LMO and Sound Australia organisations are dependent on the sponsorship of APRA AMCOS. Sound Australia assists South Australian artists who are looking to export into international markets and has provided support through master classes and professional development for local musicians in SA.

APRA is also involved in a number of social projects, including Green Music Australia and various music charities. I acknowledge a handful of the APRA staff, including: Brett Cottle, Chief Executive of APRA; Jenny Morris, APRA chair; Jennifer Gome, Director of Business and Licensing; Dean Ormston, Head of Member Services; Rhys Richards, Account Manager; and Karen Tinman, Senior Marketing and Communications Manager.

The SA team is made up of managers, Matt Swayne and Lee Gardiner; Shane Carroll, customer support representative; Sharonne Belfer, member coordinator and international revenue; Carolyn Lee in licensing ; and Adam Atkins, account manager, state events. I also acknowledge John Wardle, who is the Director of the Live Music Office, and the staff at the LMO.

On a separate note, I also acknowledge the induction of Doug Thomas into the Music Hall of Fame. Doug is founder of Greasy Pop Records and played in bands such as The Dagoes, Assassins and Spikes. I was pleased to attend the event that took place last Friday night at the Jade: congratulations to Doug. I would also like to mention the Adelaide band, The Young Offenders. They have just jetted off to England to perform at the Glastonbury Festival in June—a fantastic achievement and great exposure for the Adelaide band. Congratulations to members, Kyle Landman, Anthony Katern and Leigh Shags.