Have they gone Gaga? At least a quarter of all music played on commercial radio should be Australian, inquiry demands
- An inquiry has recommended radio play Australia music 25 per cent of the time
- MPs said this was to combat 'challenging and highly-competitive' music industry
- The inquiry put forward by Queensland MPs reached support in both parties
Australian commercial radio could soon be forced to play Australian artist's music at least a quarter of the time.
Under the proposed changes commercial radio would be forced to play up to 25 per cent of music from Australia artists, leading to potentially less coverage of international artists (pictures is Lady Gaga)
Queensland Liberal National MP Luke Howarth brought forward an inquiry into the local music industry to force the communications watchdog to enforce 'no less than 25 per cent of all music' is Australia.
The proposed change would take place between 6am and midnight with a quarter of the Australian music played to be released within the last 12 months.
The changes are designed to help combat what MPs from both said argued was a 'challenging and highly-competitive' music industry
Enforcement of the findings would mean massive change for the industry that currently allows flexibility of the amount of Australian music a station plays.
Classic hits stations are currently given small exception to the volume of Australia music they play compared to top 40 genre stations, according to the SMH
Despite this flexibility, the current percentage of Australian music played is around 20 per cent.
Among those who argued against the inquiry was Commercial Radio Australia, who said in their opinion the strong policy would force programs such as talk back radio keep ill-fitting music quotas.
Chief executive of Commercial Radio Australia Joan Warner also argued the regulation was unfair and removed flexibility of complex issues, when in comparison the internet was virtually unregulated.
Amy Shark has been one of many break through artists that has been widely played on commercial radio in Australia
'In light of the fact that they will invariably result in more regulation of local radio stations while the internet and music streaming services remain, to all intents and purposes, regulation free,' she said to the SMH.
The findings also pushed for the restoration of the previously defunded Live Music Office, touring artists, increased quality of music education in schools.
But Helen Marcou from Save Live Australia's Music said it was sign of good news from a government that has continuously cut funding to the Australian Council.
She also noted the government as assisting the crack down on music festivals in NSW, however she argued that in general she would support increased regulation on commercial radio.
'It's very difficult to rebuild something that has been consistently crushed. All eyes are on the (federal Labor) opposition now to see what reparations they can offer heading into the election.'
Hilltop Hoods has seen international success willing an ARIA back in 2016 for best artist
