On the Eve of ‘Critical’ Queensland Election, Here’s What the Political Parties Are Pledging For the Music Industry

The smell of democracy sausages will fill the air across the Sunshine State on Saturday, October 26th as Queenslanders head to the polls.

In the lead-up, many pundits predicted a changing of the guard, with Leader of the Opposition David Crisafulli, of the Liberal National coalition, replacing Steven Miles as Premier, ending a nine-year reign for the Labour Party. Those same pundits are convinced the race is now on a knife’s edge. The answer will reveal itself soon enough.

For the state’s music industry, nothing in these challenging times is certain.

Recording artists are, more than ever, struggling to be heard and seen above the noise of the 100 million-plus songs (and counting) available at the touch of a finger on DSPs.

Meanwhile, music festivals fall over left and right, and grassroots live music venues struggle to keep the lights on, even with a regular – or record — flow of punters.

Just last month, John “JC” Collins was appointed as the inaugural Nighttime Economy Commissioner for Queensland, and, over several years, will be expected to revitalise the 24-hour economy and strengthen the live music industry.

The solutions won’t be a simple fix, and will require the support of Queensland’s administration, whoever that might be.

The LNP’s spin-doctors entered this election cycle with the combination punches of crime and affordable housing, and cost-of-living.

The incumbent Labor Party has called on voters to trust a steady collection of hands.

QMusic, the trade body that produces Bigsound and the Queensland Music Awards, “has been in ongoing discussions with our key political parties” on “how deeply the Queensland music industry and nighttime economy have been struggling due to cost-of-living pressures,” reads a statement.

Across the nation, QMusic notes, the last three state-wide elections have seen significant commitments to grow and protect the music industry from each state government; with SA committing up to $10 million; the VIC Government committing $14 million (plus $20m to Always Live); and NSW most recently announcing an annual $18.5 million.

QMusic pitched $8.75 million a year — or $35 million over four years — targeted to deliver a mix of regional sector development, professional development programs for artists and industry, export initiatives, special event support and grants to secure our state’s venues, festivals, artists and the music businesses.

Labour, the LNP and the Queensland Greens have responded with their own pledges of support.

Read them below.

Labour

By way of a written response, the Queensland Labor Party reaffirms its support for the music industry, and commits to discussing the industry funding proposal ahead of next year’s State budget — if elected.

“The Miles Labor Government is focused on supporting all aspects of the industry including peak bodies, music organisations, festivals, groups and individual practitioners,” the statement reads.

“We’re proud to be delivering $1.8 million in operational funding over four years (2022-25) to QMusic as the peak body for the industry, and $60,000 annually towards four music awards administered by QMusic.”

The Labor Government “was also proud to deliver an uplift of an additional $3.64 million over four years to support the delivery of BIGSOUND and the First Nations Goolwal Goolwal initiative at Bigsound.”

Should the Miles Government be re-elected, writes Cameron Dick, MP Deputy Premier Treasurer Minister for Trade and Investment, “we look forward to working with you to continue doing what matters for Queensland.”

Greens

The Greens issued a written commitment of at least $35 million over four years to support the local music industry in addition to a Statewide Arts policy platform on its website.

Greens commitments include: developing a Queensland Music Blueprint, “Be There Live” event and venue support, to support festivals, venues and events; a Queensland Regional Music Office in Townsville; and a “First Nations Music Plan.”

“I wholeheartedly support your request for funding and the initiatives identified by QMusic to ensure the continued success of a sector that is so deeply tied to the state’s identity, economy, and community wellbeing,” writes Amy MacMahon, Member for South Brisbane.

“The Queensland Greens are committed to ensuring music and the arts receive the support it they need, not just to exist, but to thrive, including a minimum $35 million in funding support over four years to support.”

LNP

An LNP Government “will lead the way with dedicated portfolios to support CBD Activation,” reads a statement from that party.

“We will continue to engage with QMusic to build on regional tourism and community engagement into the future,” an LNP spokesperson says.

“We’re committed to a thriving Queensland music industry, and only voting 1 LNP on Saturday will guarantee Queenslanders who love great music the Fresh Start they deserve.

QMusic

Whatever the result, QMusic “looks forward to working with the elected government to build a long-term plan for Queensland’s music industry – especially the thousands of small businesses that it includes.”

As an industry that relies on disposable income, reads the QMusic statement, “we have been devastated by inflationary pressures, and we need to ensure that our state’s music sector survives this challenge.”

Without a proactive partnership, the state and its capital, Brisbane, “risks falling behind” its neighbours when it comes to “music industry development and export potential.”