Promoter Michael Gudinski backs Labor Party

Leading Australian music promoter and Mushroom Group founder and Chairman Michael Gudinski has lent his support and thanks to the Australian Labor Party ahead of the Federal election on 2nd July.

In a statement posted to Mushroom's social media, Gudinski commended the ALP for its perceived commitment to the local music industry, citing "recent announcements of their intention to support Community Radio and boost funds to help in the export of Australian contemporary music to a global market.

"Community radio is not just a vital forum for the discovery and development of new Australian music but is also an important place to foster the talents of DJs, technicians, and producers.

"Keeping community radio alive, and nurturing these people and their jobs, is fundamentally important for the future creative development of Australia."

Gudinski went on to reference Labor's plans for the sector, including their promise to not only restore funding to but expand the operations of key export organisation Sounds Australia - which had its funding halted in a pre-election announcement from the Federal Government's Catalyst arts funding program - as well as expanding the remit of the Australian Live Music Office.

He also raised issues regarding Australian content ratio requirements for emergent technologies such as streaming services.

Gudinski added "likewise the support of live music to a global audience through Sounds Australia is significant.

"It is an unfortunate reality that the majority of local artists need to be deemed an overseas success before they will receive mainstream recognition within Australia. Ironically promoting Australian artists to the world will be significant in helping to develop them locally.

"Ensuring Australian content is supported across mainstream media continues to be relevant and I consider it a tragedy that streaming services such as Foxtel, Netflix, Stan remain exempt from this requirement and is something still to be addressed."

While many figures across the industry have made criticism of Federal Government policies and/or released sector-specific maninfestos, Gudinski is the only figure to openly back a single party.

In 2014 he was named 'the most powerful person in Australian music'.

Click here to read his statement on Facebook.

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