Live Music Inquiry Backs Opportunities for Young Australians
The Push’s response to the Federal Parliamentary Inquiry into the challenges and opportunities within the Australian live music industry.
The Push welcomes the release of the Live Music Inquiry report ‘Am I Ever Gonna See You Live Again?’ and acknowledges the committee’s recommendations to support opportunities for young people as audiences, artists and industry practitioners.
The Push is proud to see our advocacy reflected throughout the report and is encouraged by the bipartisan commitment for the much needed investment into the future of young Australians through policy, funding and research.
CEO of The Push, Kate Duncan, says, “The Push is thrilled to have our recommendations included within the report, and grateful for the opportunity to centre the experiences of young people across the country.”
“There is now a clear call-to-action to support live music event-related training programs for young people, responding to our proposal for a National All-Ages Events Team program. Now it’s time for Parliament to back this recommendation with a commitment to funding this program in the March budget.”
The Push’s National All-Ages Events Team proposal calls on our federal leaders to commit to an investment of $6.8m over 4 years, reaching more than 120,000 young Australians and creating an estimated 1,200 employment opportunities in regional and outer suburban communities.
To read more about The Push’s solutions, and to show your support, head to thepush.com.au/accessallages
Key recommendations for young people
There are 20 recommendations featured in the report. Key recommendations from the report that focus on young people as audiences, artists and industry practitioner include:
Investment that supports young audiences and all-ages music events:
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The Committee recommends the Australian Government consider supporting live music event-related training programs for young people.
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The Committee recommends an extension and expansion of the Revive Live program. This expansion might be funded through a ticket levy (Recommendation 4) and funds could be disbursed by Music Australia. The funding could be offered in three streams one of which is Live for all: funding for music festivals with an emphasis on improving the accessibility, viability and diversity of live music, including regional festivals, all-ages events, First Nations festivals, community-focused events and not-for-profit-based operations.
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The Committee recommends the Australian Government assess the viability of a rebate or voucher scheme to incentivise younger audiences to attend live music. This may include offering event presenters a rebate to compensate them for income foregone by offering discounted tickets to young audiences and ‘two for one’ tickets for audience members required to attend with an adult or support person/carer. The scheme should prioritise young audiences, from under 18s to early 30s – the demographic in most significant decline amongst live music audiences.
Research into young audiences and conditions that support all-ages music events:
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The Committee recommends the Australian Government conduct comprehensive research into changes in audience behaviour and generational attitudes and behaviours that have affected demand for live music.
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The Committee recommends the Australian Government develop a centralised source of information on compliance, age-based access, regulation, and training requirements across national, state, territory and municipal jurisdictions that can inform the planning and management of festivals and live music venues.
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The Committee recommends the Australian Government undertake research on business models for live music that do not require dependence on the sale of alcohol.
Use your voice for the future of Australian music
Join us to show the national support young people have to participate and thrive in Australian music!
There are many ways you can bring awareness to The Push’s proposal for All-Ages Events Teams.
You can share about your support with your community or even write to your local Member of Parliament.
We have some guides and suggestions for all these options at the link below.
About The Push
The Push is an Australian youth music organisation and registered charity based in Melbourne.
For almost four decades we have supported millions of young people with access to contemporary music programs and events. Our work is guided by our purpose of giving every young person the opportunity to participate and thrive in Australian music.
Our program alumni include Courtney Barnett, Alex Lahey, Alice Ivy and Angie McMahon — who have each progressed onto successful, global careers.
