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AAP
AAP
Lifestyle
Liz Hobday

Musos say arts policy hits the right note

For musician Jaguar Jonze, the government's new culture policy was enough to bring her to tears.

"It just feels like a landmark moment... this is what I've been fighting for," she told AAP.

Launched at stalwart venue The Esplanade Hotel in Melbourne on Monday, the $286 million arts blueprint is firmly centred on the music industry.

Having once spun some tunes at the Espy's Gershwin room, even the Prime Minister was introduced as The Artist Formerly Known as DJ Albo.

"Let's just hope I'm a better PM than I was a DJ," he joked.

Jonze, also known as Deena Lynch, took on the might of the music industry when she publicly revealed multiple experiences of sexual assault at the hands of music producers.

The broad-ranging policy establishes a new Centre for Arts and Entertainment workplaces to ensure performers like her are safe in future, and Jonze warned Australia's music industry should get its house in order.

It also establishes a new body, Music Australia, intended to encourage the development of original music and grow the market for Australian songs.

Among its aims will be creating community music hubs and delivering songwriting initiatives in schools, as well as provide a hub for bands and solo artists to access live music venues.

An export initiative, Sounds Australia, will develop international markets for Australian talent.

Mr Albanese said the Revive policy was a bright moment for an area that has been long underfunded by the Australia Council.

"You have endured a decade in which opportunity wasn't so much missed, as thrown away," he said.

The peak body for the live arts and entertainment industry, Live Performance Australia, welcomed the measures.

"Across the board, the policy is a strong vote of confidence in Australian creative talent and enterprise," president, Richard Evans, said.

In 2022, a large-scale independent review concluded harassment, sexualised harm and bullying are rife in the Australian music industry.

More than half those working in the music trade have experienced sexual harassment or harm at work, according to the Raising Their Voices report.

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