CBAA responds to Amrap defection

The Community Broadcasting Association of Australia (CBAA) has responded to revelations of Amrap’s staff walkout yesterday.

Amrap announced that they’ve left the CBAA offices and established a new, independent entity the Republic of Amrap, separate from the CBAA, who they say have mismanaged Amrap funding and resources.

In a statement given toTMN, the CBAA stressed its long-standing and supportive management with Amrap since it was created two decades ago, and that information made public regarding their restructring of Amrap was part of a draft future proposed model.

“Some issues raised today relate to ongoing work that the CBAA is doing internally and with others like the Community Broadcasting Foundation (CBF),” say CBAA.

“We are in a consultation phase of a review aimed at reducing administrative overheads, increasing collaboration and maximising outcomes for our stakeholders.

“The goals of the review are specific and not intended to impact the availability of CBAA services for musicians and stations.

“The information shared publicly by Chris Johnson refers to a draft future proposed model made available to all staff in late 2017 as part of ongoing consultation.

“This has been led by an independent facilitator and all staff have been provided ongoing opportunities in individual, group and all staff meetings, as well as in writing, to provide input on the CBAA’s future structure, and such opportunities are continuing.

“It has been proposed that a CBAA-led Amrap advisory committee would include members of the music industry and provide a platform for regular and meaningful discussion and input into the project’s aims and future directions.

“This model has proved successful with the CBAA’s Community Radio Network.”

Amrap’s Chris Johnsonannounced the launch of the Republic of Amrap yesterday,stating that it would be “untenable” to continue performing “Amrap duties under the management of the CBAA.”

Johnson confirmed that all Amrap services would continue to operate, run voluntarily by the Amrap team, and that the move to leave the management of CBAA had to do with a recent restructure of Amrap that he called “misguided”.

Read the CBAA’s statement in full, below.

The CBAA understands the critical role that Australian musicians and community broadcasters play in building strong communities and contributing to a vibrant culture. This longstanding alliance between our two sectors means that more Australian music is being shared and heard.

The CBAA’s dedication to promoting more Australian music on community radio has been evident throughout our management of the Australian Music Radio Airplay Project (Amrap) since its inception almost two decades ago. Our support for the project has been strong through this time, including through periods when the project’s funding was cut. We ensured that services were ongoing and, with the help of the music industry, successfully lobbied to secure funding for the future. We acknowledge the considerable achievements of all staff involved in developing, providing and sustaining Amrap-funded services to date and remain strongly committed to delivering these services for musicians and broadcasters.

Some issues raised today relate to ongoing work that the CBAA is doing internally and with others like the Community Broadcasting Foundation (CBF).

We are in a consultation phase of a review aimed at reducing administrative overheads, increasing collaboration and maximising outcomes for our stakeholders. The goals of the review are specific and not intended to impact the availability of CBAA services for musicians and stations. The information shared publicly by Chris Johnson refers to a draft future proposed model made available to all staff in late 2017 as part of ongoing consultation. This has been led by an independent facilitator and all staff have been provided ongoing opportunities in individual, group and all staff meetings, as well as in writing, to provide input on the CBAA’s future structure, and such opportunities are continuing.

Our commitment to consultation extends to the music industry and, following the CBF’s dissolution of its Australian Music Grants Advisory Committee, the CBF and CBAA have been discussing plans to ensure that open lines of communication remain strong between the two sectors. It has been proposed that a CBAA-led Amrap advisory committee would include members of the music industry and provide a platform for regular and meaningful discussion and input into the project’s aims and future directions. This model has proved successful with the CBAA’s Community Radio Network.

The CBAA champions community radio by building the capability and sustainability of stations and creating a healthy and supportive environment for the sector to thrive. We will continue to work with all stakeholders, including the CBF, to ensure that promotion of contemporary Australian music through the community radio broadcasting sector continues.