20/4/2008 - Contemporary Music Working Group and the 2020 Summit
Adam Simpson took the experience of the CMWG to the 2020 Summit. The CMWG has been developing long term goals for the contemporary music industry in a 2020 type process over recent years. Many of the common issues identified in the Creative Stream were common issues within the contemporary music industry and there is now an opportunity to consolidate this experience.
3/4/2008 - CMWG Work Acknowledged in Speech by Minister Peter Garrett in Key Note Speech at Song Summit Conference in Sydney
The Minister said "...Many of you will now of the CMWG whihc as formed in 2003 in the interests of achieving greater industry cooperation and cohesion in what hs often been a highly fragmented industry....The arts policy Labor took to the election included a commitment to work with industry in developing a Strategic Contemporary Music Industry Plan. I'm really keen to ensure the excellent work of the CMWG is not wasted and look forward to working with them to implement this plan"
Change of Government
Since the change of Government, the CMWG has been engaging afresh. The CMWG has also been working with the Cultural Ministers Council and the Contemporary Music Development Working Group to progress issues across State and Territory Governments
12/9/2006 - Contemporary Music Working Group Meets with Politicians in Canberra
On Tuesday, September 12, Paul Bodlovich (WAM) and Adam Simpson (Simpsons Solicitors) held a series of meetings with members of Federal Parliament including Communications Minister Helen Coonan and Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane. This was a successful follow-up to the April application for a federally funded Industry Action Agenda targetting the Australian Contemporary Music Industry.
The meetings garnered positive press coverage in the Australian Financial Review. A copy of the relevant article is available here.
Contemporary Music Working Group - Overview
The Australian contemporary music industry is a fine example of an industry that regularly produces success stories that can evoke national pride. From a relatively small population Australian creative musical talent and Australian music business talent consistently combine to drive an industry that is often commented upon as punching above its weight.
However, there is an acknowledgement that the industry has the potential to achieve far more, and it is clear that a number of the impediments to this happening are not insolvable.
The principal challenge that the industry faces in responding to its challenges is that its fragmented nature means that stakeholders' views about where the industry should be heading, and the role of government as a facilitator, are often highly specific to their interests and lack a broader sense of the industry's position. From this, there can be a flawed focus on the development of specific instruments, institutions and government programs as a strategy in and of itself.
It is acknowledgement of these fundamental issues that has led to the CMWG identifying an Industry Action Agenda as the best opportunity available to develop the integration that will provide long terms strategic solutions.
In April 2006, on behalf of the Australian Contemporary Music Industry, the CMWG submitted an application to the Federal Government for an Industry Action Agenda.