National music industry review into sexual harassment launches

The commencement of a national music industry review has been announced, with support from key industry groups like ARIA, PPCA and APRA AMCOS.

The review, led by consultants Alexandra Shehadie and Sam Turner, will look into sexual harm, harassment and systemic discrimination throughout the Australian music industry.

Shehadie has previously led culture reviews into the Australian Defence Force and Australian Police Force, while Turner is an inclusion consultant who has worked with companies like Westpac and Microsoft.

Shehadie and Turner were both selected by a panel consisting of members of the Temporary Working Group, ARIA, PPCA, APRA AMCOS, The Australia Council and Support Act.

Their review will involve listening to stories from all types of music professionals, with findings being consolidated into a report that will be released in July next year.

ARIA CEO Annabelle Herd said she strongly supports the review and encourages all industry groups to support the review in any way they can.

“This review is so important to create a safe, diverse, equitable and ultimately better industry for all who work and operate in Australian music,” she said.

“I am confident we have the right team to move our industry forward in Ms Shehadie and Ms Turner, through a comprehensive independent review of what is happening across all levels of music and why.”

She continued: “The music industry is special, it is full of inspiring, creative and passionate people working hard and doing what they love, but it is still a workplace. No one should be subjected to bullying, sexual harassment or sexual assault while at work. I strongly support this ambitious and ground-breaking industry-wide review, and call on industry businesses, organisations, and individuals to make any contribution they can to the review’s decentralised and independent funding approach.”

Lynne Small, ARIA and PPCA chief operating officer, supported Herd’s statement, saying that anything less than a safe and equal workplace for everyone isn’t good enough.

“There are voices that need to be heard and changes that must be made in order to achieve the working environment the wonderful and passionate members of our music industry deserve. I look forward to welcoming that change.”

APRA AMCOS chief executive Dean Ormston said it was essential that APRA AMCOS help this review’s process as much as possible.

“Do we step up and meet this moment and live up to the full potential of our creative promise? For APRA AMCOS, the answer is a clear ‘yes’,” Ormston said.

“Yes, on behalf of our music creator and publisher members, our Boards and our staff, we want to be part of a better way forward and to doing the work that we must do to effect change. That’s why we’ve supported and enabled the effort to conduct this Review from the very beginning.”