Category Archives: News

2023-24 Federal Budget

The Albanese Government handed down its first regular budget on Tuesday 9th May, with the first surplus in over a decade and a number of election commitments and

Instant Asset Write-off

  • For eligible businesses that have an annual turnover of less than $10 million.
  • This is a lower threshold than the original Temporary Full Expensing measure, introduced in 2020
  • Applies to eligible depreciable assets, up to $20,000 (increased from $1,000)
  • The write off can be used for multiple assets, each up to the $20,000 threshold
  • The scheme ends on 30th June 2024

Read more: Budget Papers | Smart Company

Payday Super

From July 1, 2026, employers will need to pay superannuation on payday, rather than quarterly. This policy is still being developed, some business advocates are calling for monthly payments being allowed for certain businesses, and there is some time before implementation.

Read more: ABC News | Smart Company

Promoting energy efficient commercial buildings

  • Commencing 1 July 2025
  • This measure extends the clean building managed investment trust withholding tax concession to eligible data centres and warehouses where construction commenced after Budget night.
  • Buildings will also need to satisfy higher energy efficiency standards to qualify for the concession.

Small Business Energy Incentive

  • For businesses with an annual turnover of less than $50 million
  • Provides an additional 20% deduction (ie. 120% deduction) on spending that supports electrification and more efficient use of energy.
  • Applies to new depreciating assets, as well as upgrades to existing assets
  • Exclusions include electric vehicles, renewable electricity generation assets, capital works, and assets that are not connected to the electricity grid and use fossil fuels

Read more: CPA (p13)

Export 

Cyber Security

  • Cyber Wardens, an initiative of COSBOA, to increase cyber security skills and awareness in small businesses
  • Maintained funding
  • See cyberwardens.com.au
  • Work is continuing on establishing a National Anti-Scam Centre, and other measures to address cyber security.

Arts / Music 

  • The Budget confirmed funding for a policy announced in January, Revive, which includes investment in a rebranded and restructured Australia Council (to be renamed ‘Creative Australia’,
  • $286 million for the delivery of the Revive policy, of which $69.4 million is for Music Australia.
  • There is additional funding for the National Collecting Institutions, the screen industry’s Location Offset, and other measures.

More info: National Cultural Policy (Revive) | Budget announcement

Australian Success at the 2023 NAMM Show

20th April 2023 – Alex Masso

Fang Lui (The Piano Fantasy) with Alex Masso (AMA) at the Australian Reception

 AMA members were well represented at the 2023 NAMM Show, held at its regular home of the Anaheim Convention Center in the off-schedule month of April.  This year’s event was widely understood to be a ‘stepping stone’ back to the regular schedule and scale of a January NAMM Show, which will return on 25th-28th January 2024. It also marked a transitional moment as Joe Lamond’s last show, and last month, as CEO and President, a position he has held for two decades as only the third NAMM CEO since 1948.
The incoming CEO, John Mlynczak, was present throughout the NAMM Show and attended the AMA Reception, meeting Australian distributors and retailers. The AMA was also represented at the International Coalition (IC), bringing together similar associations from around the world including NAMM, AMA, MIA, EMIA, ESTA, PLASA, CAFIM, ANAFIMA, and more. Members of the IC cooperate on important international projects including advocacy on CITES and related issues, Make Music Day, and the NAMM Global Report.

Photo of Graham Hoskins and John Mlynczak

L-R: Graham Hoskins (Concept Music) meeting incoming NAMM CEO & President John Mlynczak at the Australian Reception

Photo of Miles Jackson and Alex Masso, standing in front of the Cole Clark stand at the NAMM Show with a row of acoustic guitars on display.

Miles Jackson (Cole Clark Guitars) and Alex Masso (AMA) at the Cole Clark stand

 A number of Australian exhibitors had success on the floor of the show, including Wolf Guitars exhibiting for the first time, and Cole Clark Guitars launching its new True Hybrid model in the US. “Cole Clark launched Cole Clark USA and the True Hybrid,” said CEO Miles Jackson. “We opened plenty of US dealers and sold lots of guitars. We had artists and educators at the stand for the whole 3 days checking out the True Hybrid and the rest of our range. We had meetings with four vendors and met up with 5 international distributors. Lots of people, flat out the whole time”.
The smaller scale event was still vital for Australian wholesalers and retailers, taking the opportunity to maintain relationships with suppliers and partners and form new ones. ““NAMM 2023 had a really positive vibe,” said Michael Jago,  Managing Director of Link Audio. “For Link Audio, we started with an excellent pre-NAMM event with our friends at Apogee, and we also thank the guys from Musos Corner, Sounds Easy and Turramurra Music for joining us at that event. For the 3 days on the show floor, everyone we met with was happy to be there and our suppliers were glad we attended as well. As a distributor, you just have to go to NAMM or you risk being irrelevant.

Michael Jago & Chris Smith (Link Audio) with the team from Adam Hall
 Australis Music Group was presented with a Milestone Award recognising 50 years in business, accepted by Helen Marx (Chief Commercial Officer), Mark Wilson (Brand Manager), and Adam Goglis (Sales Director). The Australian Music Association was also presented with an award for its years of service to the industry, which I was proud to accept on behalf of members, the board and my predecessors who have worked hard to lead the AMA for 45 years.

50 Year Milestone Awards Recipients, including Helen Marx (Chief Commercial Officer), Mark Wilson (Brand Manager), Adam Goglis (Sales Director) from Australis Music, and Joe Lamond (CEO, NAMM), right)

NAMM CEO Joe Lamond (left) and Music Historian Dan Del Fiorentino (right) presenting the Milestone Award to the AMA (Alex Masso, centre)
Australian Musician covered the She Rocks Awards and new products, including the new Yamaha CK Stage Piano, drums and percussion from Yamaha, and new Hammond models XK4 & SK Pro X.

Exhibitor bookings for the 2024 NAMM Show, 25-28 January at the Anaheim Convention Center, are open now.

D’Addario Australia Partners With Fenech Guitars

22nd March 2023

D’Addario Australia, one of Australia’s leading music products distributors, has announced a partnership Fenech Guitars, a growing Gold Coast-based producer of high end guitars. D’Addario will be the exclusive sales agent in Australia, effective 1st April 2023.

“Fenech Guitars have gained recognition as being some of the finest guitars available today” said Mark Inglese, General Manager of D’Addario Australia, in the company’s announcement. “Their precision & attention to detail in every aspect of guitar making has resulted in guitars which have become renowned for delivering exceptional volume, tone & playability. D’Addario Australia is very proud to partner with Fenech Guitars and is looking forward to growing the
brand’s presence in Australia into the future.”
“We are proud to partner with D’Addario Australia and we very much look forward to working with them” said an announcement on social media from Fenech Guitars. “Now we must get back to saw dust, chisels, and doing what we absolutely love…… making the very best acoustic guitars!”

D’Addario Australia and Fenech Guitars are AMA members.

 

AMA Honours Decades of Service

9th March, 2023

The Australian Music Association has presented awards to Rob Walker and Greg Phillips at a special industry reception, held at the Melbourne Guitar Show. These are rarely presented, only for individuals that have made a significant long-term contribution to the music products industry, and this was the first award presentation since 2019. Continue reading →

Willson Band Instruments Joins Eastman Music Company

2nd March 2023

Eastman Music Company today announced that Willson Band Instruments of Flums, Switzerland is joining the Eastman family of brands. Known for excellence, Willson has been a leader in brass musical instruments for over 70 years. Willson will join a growing family of some of the finest products in the music industry today including Eastman, Wm. S. Haynes Co., S. E. Shires Co., Backun Musical Services, Laskey, and Bourgeois Guitars. Continue reading →

National Music Announces Partnership with Pratley Guitars as Official Australian Distributor

1st March, 2023

National Music, one of Australia’s leading musical instrument distributors, is proud to announce its partnership with Pratley Guitars, a renowned guitar manufacturer based in Southeast Queensland.

From March 1, National Music will be the exclusive distributor of Pratley Guitars throughout Australia. Pratley Guitars has earned a notable reputation worldwide for producing high-quality handmade guitars using beautiful Australian tonewoods, traditional methods and top-grade materials.

The company’s range of acoustic and electric guitars are universally respected for their exceptional tone, playability, and stunning craftmanship. Artists who choose to play a Pratley include Josh Teskey, Steph Strings and Ash Grunwald.

National Music Australia Managing Director Louisa Buchanan is excited to partner with Pratley Guitars and offer their exceptional instruments to music stores across Australia. “Pratley Guitars is a highly respected brand in the industry, and their attention to detail and quality craftsmanship are second to none”, said Louisa.

Photo of a Pratley OM Blackwood/Blackwood guitar, hanging on display.

Pratley Guitars OM Blackwood/Blackwood – SCE

 “We look forward to introducing the Pratley range to more and more musicians and enthusiasts
throughout the country.”As the official Australian distributor of Pratley Guitars, National Music will provide a wide range of models to their dedicated network of music retailers. “We’re thrilled to partner with National Music and expand our reach in Australia,” said Martin Pratley, founder of Pratley Guitars. “We share the same passion for music and commitment to quality, and we believe that National Music is the perfect partner to take our world class guitars to the next level.”

For more information on products and distribution:

Pratley Guitars www.pratleyguitars.com.au

National Music www.nationalmusic.com.au

National Music is an AMA Member and will be exhibiting at Melbourne Guitar Show on 4th-5th March, 2023. See www.melbourneguitarshow.com.au for more information.

 

Changes at Roland Australia

11th January 2023

Roland Corporation Australia (RCA) Managing Director, Nick Middleton, has been appointed as the new CEO of Roland Asia-Pacific, effective Jan 1st 2023.

Nick will continue as MD for RCA but will hand the day-to-day management of the business to Matt Walsham who takes up the role as General Manager, following 5 years as National Sales Manager.

Joshua Munday, formerly Territory Sales Manager (NSW, QLD, TAS) will step into the National Sales Manager position, whilst continuing to service his existing accounts.

Roland Australia is an AMA member

Vale Martin König

11th January 2023

König & Meyer have announced that President, Managing Partner and the most senior member of the company’s legacy, Martin König, passed away on 4th January 2023 in Wertheim, Germany. The König & Meyer name appears on stages across the world every day, on its microphone stands and other accessories.  Continue reading →