THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Communications and the Arts will hold public hearings in Melbourne on Wednesday, 21 November and in Sydney on Thursday, 22 November for its inquiry into the Australian music industry.

The chair, Luke Howarth MP, said that the committee is continuing to examine the potential for continued growth and the factors affecting the success of the Australian music industry, both domestically and internationally.

"The rise of music streaming services, such as Spotify, have revolutionised the music industry. The recent return to growth experienced by the industry has been attributed to the rapid and continued consumer uptake of streaming services, which now account for more than half the overall recorded music market," Mr Howarth said.

"We are very interested to hear Spotify’s views on the Australian music industry—to learn how we can support this growth and how we can grow the reach of Australian music here and overseas."

The committee will also be speaking to the peak bodies of the radio industry.

"Radio remains one of the most popular ways that Australians listen to and discover new music. The committee is keen to speak to radio—public, commercial, and community—to hear how we can best support and promote Australian music," Mr Howarth said.

The committee will hear from the major copyright collecting organisations APRA AMCOS and PPCA, which are responsible for collecting and distributing royalties for artists and publishers. It will also hear from a range of other organisations and experts representing record labels, venues, live music, music education and mental health support services for artists and music workers.

The public hearings will be broadcast live on the web (audio only).

Public hearing details:

MELBOURNE: 9am to 3.30pm, Wednesday, 21 November 2018, Federation Room, Parliament of Victoria, Spring Street

SYDNEY: 8.30am to 4.30pm, Thursday, 22 November 2018, Composite Room, Sydney Masonic Conference and Function Centre, 66 Goulburn St

Programs for the hearings are available on the committee’s website.

THRIVE, a not for profit organisation that provides small loans and business support to refugees, today welcomed the NSW Governor’s visit to businesses in Western Sydney it has supported.

The visit demonstrated Thrive’s positive impact on refugees’ lives and the communities in which they live.

Thrive CEO Mahir Momand said he was honoured to host General David Hurley AC DSC (Ret’d) and Mrs Linda Hurley and be given the opportunity to show them first hand how businesses are benefiting from Thrive loans and its business mentoring program, and to share the story of Thrive’s success.

The Governor visited Saheleh Rahmati Reysani, manager and owner of Sahel Beauty in Parramatta, and Jamei Mahmood, owner of signage company Oxin Signs in Merrylands.

“It is such an honour to host the Governor and introduce him to Saheleh and Jamei who are wonderful examples of Thrive success stories,” Mr Mahir said.

“Both of them have worked extremely hard since arriving in Australia and with Thrive’s support, they have established very successful businesses in Western Sydney and achieved financial independence.”

Thrive, which launched in NSW in April 2016 and expanded to Victoria six months later, has lent a total of $2.5 million to people of refugee and asylum-seeking backgrounds which has helped establish more than 130 businesses and create 158 permanent jobs.

The Governor said Thrive was a wonderful initiative which was having a transformative impact on the lives of many.

“Thrive is not only meeting a clear demand, but is playing a very important role in helping people from refugee and asylum-seeking backgrounds actively contribute to the economy, society, and their local communities.”

“I was delighted to receive the invitation from Thrive to visit these businesses and learn about how Thrive has helped them achieve success.”

www.thriverefugeeenterprise.org.au

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THE co-chairs of the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples, Jackie Huggins and Rod Little, know only too well the importance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing needs in this country.

“We have joined with Indigenous Peoples from across the world to bring together strong voices. Calling for our Rights to Shelter and Safe Housing.” said Mr Little, co-chair of the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples.

"For too long we have had the embarrassment of Third World housing in remote Australia, this is whilst the nation has enjoyed economic booms which have not benefited our peoples or our communities. This is hidden from the United Nations. No more! 

"It’s time to join our brothers and sisters from around the world. This is a call to all first peoples to come join our partners NATSIHA to find solutions," he said.

"We have been guided our brothers and sisters in Canada where the inaugural conference was held in 2012 to here today, the 20th November 2018, on the Gold Coast at the Entertainment Centre to launch the 2019 World Indigenous Housing Conference. 

"Headlining our launch will be a message from the Hon Jackie Trad, Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander partnerships."

National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples co-chair Dr Jackie Huggins said, “This is serious business, time for solutions with advice from those that live in our Australian communities and communities across the world. We have attempted to negotiate with the Federal government, participated in government policies and not enough has occurred to support communities and families."

"The National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples, as the peak organisation with over 9000 individual members and 180 organisations, is seizing this opportunity with both hands for the change that is needed. We have waited far too long. It’s time for change, shelter is a human right.

"This media launch is an opportunity to call out to Indigenous people from the Northern and Southern Hemispheres to come together for change."

Mr Little said, “Our Peoples know the importance of adequate and affordable housing is to education, health, safety and well-being of families. This conference will highlight that whilst governments squabble over money, basic needs and rights are being ignored, health is declining at alarming proportions and poverty increases.

"A change is coming is the theme song that translates to a basic human right. Come and join us to alert the world that the clock is ticking for the 2019 World Indigenous Housing Conference."

For more information about the World Indigenous Housing Conference, visit: www.2019wihc.com

ABOUT NATIONAL CONGRESS OF AUSTRALIA’S FIRST PEOPLES
 
National Congress is the peak organisation representing the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. National Congress was established following extensive consultations with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and leaders and has represented Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples at the federal level since 2010. National Congress represents close to 10,000 individual members from across Australia as well as over 180 peak and other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations.

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THE ACCC has decided not to oppose Santos Limited’s (ASX: STO) proposed acquisition of Quadrant Energy Holdings Pty Ltd.