November 2024
Innovative Music Australia was recently acquired by Sound Group. Continue reading
Category Archives: Member Updates
Musical Merchandisers Closing
Industry veteran Graeme Wilson from Musical Merchandisers has announced the company will closing its doors on 30th June 2025. Continue reading
Tariffs Removed on Percussion
15th November 2024
The Australian Government has removed tariffs on all imports of Percussion products. The Nuisance Tariffs policy was developed to remove very low revenue tariff collection where there is no particular reason for a tariff to continue. The AMA supported this change and analysed customs, AMA found that in the 12 months prior to this consultation (April 2023-March 2024), $37426 was collected on Percussion imports including $12462 from the US. Continue reading
Major review of broadcast spectrum
25th October, 2024
Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland has announced a process that will consider the future of broadcast spectrum in Australia, which could have implications for wireless audio devices. Continue reading
New AMA President
17th October 2024
At the Australian Music Association’s Annual General Meeting for 2024, Megan Stapleton (Hal Leonard Australia) was elected President of the association. Outgoing President, Cameron Leitch, will be taking leave from his role at Soundbay and did not renominate for the Executive Committee or the role of President, which he has held for the past year. Continue reading
Annual General Meeting 2024
The AGM will be held on 15th October at 12pm, during the Summit. That part of the day (only) will be a hybrid event to include whoever is unable to attend in person, please contact Alex if you would like to be on the zoom call.
Documents and links:
AGM Notice | Zoom link | Nomination Form 2024-25 | Draft minutes 2023 AGM
Helen Marx departs AMA board
In September, Helen Marx resigned from her position on the AMA board as she moved on from employment with Australis Music Group.
Helen was a driving force behind some major initiatives of the AMA during the past few years. She has been passionate about finding solutions, improving existing programs, asking big questions, and in particular Helen played an essential role in planning for Melbourne Guitar Show 2025. She also worked with the board, Australis Music Group’s graphic designer, Jay’C Rivera, to facilitate the new logos for both the AMA and Melbourne Guitar Show.
I would like to thank Helen for her insights, creative and strategic ideas, energy, and determination in her time with the AMA board, and wish her all the best.
– Alex Masso, Executive Officer
2024 AMA Awards: Open For Nominations
13th August 2024
The Australian Music Association will present awards recognising substantial and valued contributions and achievements in the Australian music products industry. The AMA will present three Awards categories, one being the Honour Roll, continuing as the association’s highest honour and an important part of its history. The other two awards are for Significant Contribution to the industry, and Emerging Leader in the industry.
Nominations for the 2024 AMA Awards have opened on 13th August and will close on 13th September, 2024. These awards will be presented at the Industry Leadership Summit on 15th October, 2024.
Read more about the AMA Awards criteria, principles, and process | Nomination Form
Advocacy update: AMA gives evidence at government inquiries
30th July, 2024
The AMA has appeared twice at government inquiries in the past week, and met with important stakeholders on a range of issues.
On 25th July Alex Masso represented the AMA at a hearing for the Inquiry into the challenges and opportunities within the Australian live music industry, conducted by the Standing Committee on Communications and the Arts.
Alex Masso addressing the Joint Select Committee on Arts and Music Education and Training in New South Wales
That same day, the AMA completed its submission to the Joint Select Committee on Arts and Music Education and Training in New South Wales (read more). Today Alex Massso represented the AMA at a hearing for that committee, on a day that included Alberts, ASME, Music in Me, Sydney Youth Orchestra, Sydney Conservatorium of Music, the NSW Music Teachers’ Association, Association of NSW Regional Conservatoriums, and others.
Jochen Zenthöfer and Alex Masso in Sydney
Meanwhile, Alex met with Jochen Zenthöfer from Save Our Spectrum, one of the leading international advocates for cultural use of radiofrequency spectrum, during his visit to Australia. He is based in Europe and focuses primarily on that region, but performs an essential role similar to NAMM and the League of American Orchestras on CITES issues, keeping up to date with the World Radiocommunications Conference and other international developments and coordinating the industry response. The AMA has mentioned the use of spectrum for wireless audio devices in submissions to government inquiries on the National Cultural Policy and the Challenges and opportunities within the Australian live music industry.
The AMA continues to monitor and respond to issues that affect the industry, there are a number of consultations this year related to skills and training including the Skills Taxonomy and ANZSCO (occupation) codes.
AMA Submission to NSW Parliamentary Committee
26th July 2024
The Australian Music Association has a strong history of advocating for the importance of music education and participation in music, and increasing access to quality music education for all children. Earlier this year a Joint Select Committee within NSW Parliament was established to investigate Arts and Music Education and Training in NSW. Continue reading
