ARIA and PPCA welcome Music Australia appointments

Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) and Phonographic Performance Company of Australia (PPCA) today welcome the appointments to the inaugural Music Australia.

Music Australia Council 

•  Fred Alale, co-founder and chair of African Music and Cultural Festivals Inc.
• Lisa Baker, manager of creative cultural development, City of Playford
• Danielle Caruana (Mama Kin), artist and founder/director of The Seed Fund
• Michael Chugg, founder of Chugg Entertainment
• Petrina Convey, owner and director of UNITY. Mgmt
• Fred Leone, artist
• Nathan McLay, CEO of Future Classic 
•  Dr Sophie Payten (Gordi), artist

ARIA and PPCA CEO, Annabelle Herd, said: “The arrival of the Council for Music Australia is very welcome news, particularly given the great deal of knowledge, experience and proven ability between those appointed. ARIA and PPCA will support the Council in achieving its important agenda any way we can, and we look forward to urgently commencing work with the appointees to tackle the significant issues faced by local music. 

“Now it all comes down to execution. Now is the time to think big, consult wide, and deliver the solutions that Australian recording artists and industry professionals deserve; restoring the infrastructure to help them achieve sustainable careers at home and providing a greater platform for them to reach new audiences by cutting through an increasingly saturated market. 

“Australia’s contemporary music industry is an incredible incubator for world-class talent. But for the world to discover that talent, we need the right strategic support and investment. There’s no time to waste.” 

These appointments come after the Creative Australia Bill 2023 and Creative Australia (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2023 passed parliament in June, delivering on commitments made by the Australian Government through its cultural policy Revive.