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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2004 Week 08 Hansard (Thursday, 5 August 2004) . . Page.. 3520 ..

government’s response. Young people gain particular benefit from participation in live music. The government will help to make it accessible and engaging.

Following the moving of this motion, government officers met with representatives from the live music sector and a number of discussions took place between relevant government agencies, which helped to clarify the issues faced by musicians, young people and venue operators involved in live music. Research is also being conducted into how other Australian jurisdictions are supporting contemporary live music. In mid-July this year the government hosted a forum to discuss issues impacting on live music. Established and emerging young musicians, organisers of live music events, youth service providers and members of the ACT Cultural Council attended that forum. Those representatives from the sector confirmed that live music is alive and well in the ACT.

A productive discussion took place at the meeting and suggestions were made about a number of practical ways to address identified issues. The live music issues in the ACT that were revealed by this investigation can be grouped under four headings: the need for a music association; young people’s participation in live music; issues of noise from live and recorded music; and the viability and diversity of live music venues. Those topics have direct relevance to the motion. I will briefly outline the issues raised and explain how the government intends to address them over the coming months to support the continued vibrancy and growth of live music.

I refer, first, to the need for a performance association. At the forum in July the primary issues raised by representatives from the sector were: the need for an industry body or association to foster professional development; to facilitate access to information, skills and resources; to provide an industry voice to represent the interests of performers; to facilitate communication between performers, event organisers and venues; to provide information and assistance to young people; and, finally, to advocate for the needs of young performers and audiences.

One of the issues raised in the motion that was moved in the Assembly was the availability of rehearsal space and PA equipment. Interestingly, the representatives did not identify those issues as issues of particular concern. It was acknowledged that there was a need for more accessible information about how to access resources, in particular for very young musicians. The forum suggested that an industry association might be best able to assist in a number of matters. The government will continue to meet with industry stakeholders to discuss the practicalities of establishing a music association and to provide advice on programs of support through which such an association may seek funding.

When I was arts minister the government gave financial support to a group representing those sorts of interests. Unfortunately, that group did not survive. The second issue that was addressed by the forum related to young people’s participation in live music. The social plan articulates the government’s commitment to enhancing support for programs that encourage young people to participate in the arts. The government recognises the particularly strong benefit that young people draw from their participation in contemporary live music.

The government currently supports young people to participate in a number of ways including: funding youth centres that are made available for performances and events;

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