Insurance premium discussion on agenda for live music inquiry

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Communications and the Arts has advised that it is this week holding hearings for its inquiry into the challenges and opportunities within the Australian live music industry.

Some of the key challenges offered by contributors include exponentially high increases in insurance premiums relative to the quantum of increase in other inputs; costs and impediments in meeting state, territory and local government regulatory requirements, and changing audience preferences and behaviour.

Industry stakeholders, including peak bodies, government agencies and statutory authorities, have been invited to speak with the Committee.

The Chair, Brian Mitchell noted “live music has significant cultural, social, and economic value, and so the Committee looks forward to discussing the operational and regulatory challenges that have been raised in the many submissions to the inquiry.

“The Committee hopes to gain insights into what uniquely frames the current Australian live music environment—beyond post-COVID-19 supply chain issues and inflationary pressures which do continue to significantly impact the sector; but also challenge most sectors of the economy.”

The Committee has also received evidence about the changing modes of discoverability of artists, the current royalties regime and the revolution in production and dissemination of recorded music which impacts the livelihood of live music professionals.

Details of the public hearings are below, with the full programs and terms of reference available on the inquiry webpage. 

More information about the Committee, including membership, may be found on the Committee’s website.

Public hearing details
Date: Wednesday, 26th June 2024
Time: 12.45pm – 1.30pm
Location: Committee Room 1R6, Parliament House, Canberra
Date: Friday, 28th June 2024
Time: 9.00am – 1.20pm
Location: Committee Room 1R2, Parliament House, Canberra

These hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live.