Senator the Hon Stephen Conroy

Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy

DEPUTY LEADER OF THE GOVERNMENT IN THE SENATE

Funding to promote Australian music on community radio

The Australian Music Radio Airplay Project (AMRAP) will receive $2.4 million over the next four years in the 2008–09 Federal Budget, the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator the Hon Stephen Conroy, announced today.

AMRAP is a community radio initiative that works with musicians, community broadcasters and the recording industry to increase radio airplay of contemporary Australian music.

“AMRAP is a unique initiative that promotes Australian music through the community radio sector and is an important tool for local musicians to connect with national audiences,” Senator Conroy said.

“The Australian Government is pleased to provide funding for AMRAP that will enable community broadcasters to continue their vital role of promoting contemporary Australian music.”

Through this initiative, contemporary Australian music will be broadcast by the community broadcasting sector to more than four million listeners who listen each week.

AMRAP provides regular and genre specific distribution of new Australian music to Australia’s community radio stations. AMRAP also produces and distributes radio content which promotes Australian music and is developing an online resource for community broadcasters, musicians, industry bodies and audiences to learn about emerging artists.

“AMRAP has also been extremely successful promoting music from rural, regional and remote communities, particularly indigenous music. It enables a diverse range of music to be distributed across the country,” Senator Conroy said.

The Community Broadcasting Association of Australia, which manages the project, has welcomed the announcement of the funding for AMRAP. For more information about AMRAP visit www.amrap.org

ends

Date: 13 May 2008
Contact: Tim Marshall 0408 258 457

SUPPORTING INFORMATION

Funding to promote Australian music on community radio

Why is this important?

• This proposal will allow AMRAP to continue to play a crucial role in promoting contemporary Australian music across the country.
• AMRAP provides regular and targeted distribution of new Australian music to Australia’s community radio stations.
• AMRAP also produces and distributes radio content which promotes Australian music as well as developing an online resource for community broadcasters, musicians, industry bodies and audiences to learn about emerging Australian artists.

Who will benefit?

• Through the AMRAP initiative, contemporary Australian music will be broadcast by the community broadcasting sector to more than four million listeners who listen each week.
• This will help raise the profile of Australian musicians and emerging artists.
• The funding will also help to promote musicians based in regional, rural and remote Australia, including Indigenous artists.
• It supports community broadcasters and industry bodies with resources that will enable them to promote contemporary Australian music to a wider audience.

What funding is the Government committing to the initiative?

• Funding committed will be $2.4 million over four years.

Time frame for delivery

• Commencing in 2008–09, the commitment is providing $0.6 million per annum over four years.