9th December 2022
Employers with 15 or more employees (head count) need to prepare for the introduction of Paid Family & Domestic Violence Leave on 1 February 2023. This will be introduced for smaller businesses (fewer than 15 employees) on 1 August 2023. Continue reading
8th December 2022
The Australian Government has released its response to the Samuel Review of the EPBC Act, a major piece of legislative reform for Australia’s central environment protection and biodiversity legislation. This development brings us one step closer to a better solution for streamlining permits for musical instruments containing endangered species. Continue reading
When entering into or renewing a retail lease, landlords must give their tenants a disclosure statement, which outlines essential lease information (e.g. lease term, occupancy costs, fit-out requirements etc.). Why? So the tenant can understand, at a glance, the key elements of the lease. Continue reading
26th October 2022
The first budget of the Albanese Government was handed down yesterday. There are several initiatives that interact with AMA members’ interests. Continue reading
26th October 2022
The UN Secretariat for CITES has now issued its final assessment of listing proposals, recommending that the CITES parties reject the proposal at CoP19. These recommendations are not binding, but they are influential. Continue reading
14th September 2022
In July 2022 we asked members for feedback about the proposals to this year’s CITES Conference of the Parties (CoP19). The relevant proposals are Ipe (p. 102), Dalbergia Sissoo (p.110), Pernambuco (p. 116), and Khaya (p. 121).
The AMA consulted with members that deal with these materials, focusing mostly on Pernambuco, also on Dalbergia sissoo and Khaya. Continue reading
23rd August 2022
The Australian Government is consulting on a new National Cultural Policy. Continue reading
The Federal Government recently passed its legislation to introduce paid FDV leave for all employees, under the National Employment Standards. Continue reading
11th July 2022
For: manufacturers & importers of wood products
Summary: The next Conference of the Parties for CITES will take place from 14-25 November, 2022. The AMA is part of an international network that monitors impacts of CITES decisions on music products. Below is an update on several items on the agenda for this year.
As a signatory to CITES treaties, decisions made at the CoP apply here in Australia, but there are some complications in the way Australia interacts with CITES. Firstly, some native species are protected in Australia but not listed as protected in this context; secondly, one of the key developments in music advocacy around CITES has been Musical Instrument Certificates, but Australia has not implemented a system of Musical Instrument Certificates.
Detail:
Proposed for Appendix II with Annotation #17 – This would require permits for logs, sawn wood, veneer sheets, plywood and transformed wood.
Handroanthus spp., Roseodendron spp., Tabebuia spp., Afzelia spp., Pterocarpus spp., Khaya spp.
Proposed for Removal from Appendix II
Dalbergia sissoo
Proposed for Appendix I, with Annotation – This would impose new restrictions on commercial trade and require permits to travel with bows made from Pernambuco
Paubrasilia echinata
We also anticipate key discussions will include a U.S. proposal to improve the Musical Instrument Certificate through simplified procedures and e-permitting, as well as policy decisions related to the Annotation #15 that pertains to rosewood.
