What we’re fighting for
'Australians for the Arts’ wants to protect Australian arts & culture from AI theft, promote our content nationally and globally through local content quotas and levies, for govt to fund talented Australian artists, and to invest in arts infrastructure through ten key asks
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1. A Cross Platform Content Levy
Australian screen content is around 3% on streaming platforms. We want that rate at 25%, with streamers and broadcasters paying a levy if they fail to meet that quota. The levy will fund arts and cultural projects.
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2. Koala Stamp on platforms like Spotify & Netflix
Today, 70% of young people access music directly through Spotify. Using Canada’s ‘MAPL test’ algorithm model, we want a ‘Koala Stamp’ that brings Australian music to the fore for Australian subscribers.
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3. 200 Creative Fellowships ($20-60mn p.a.)
Following America’s MacArthur Fellowships, we want to identify great talent across the major arts disciplines and provide Fellowships to help emerging/mid-career artists to hone their craft with $100,000 per year income support over three years.
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4. Production offsets & insurance fund for performing arts, live music, & stage shows
We want Production offsets used in the screen sector offered in other arts disciplines to create original Australian work. We also want an insurance fund that will make live music and performance affordable for gigs and festivals.
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5. AI Act to protect IP, creatives, & copyright
Tech giants have stolen the IP of creatives around the world to train AI to make them second-rate art. An AI ACT that protects sovereignty and requires a Made by Humans stamp will redress the imbalance.
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6. Cultural Infrastructure Fund ($5bn over 10 years)
We want to see an investment in the nations galleries, theatres, cultural centres, and libraries to make them important cultural and community hubs, particularly in rural and regional Australia.
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7. Translation Fund for writing & literature (+$10mn)
Many Australian writers do well in non-English speaking markets. An increase in the translation fund would help broaden that reach and open opportunities for more diverse voices to emerge.
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8. Arts vouchers for young Australians ($150mn)
Like the French, we want to see young Australians given vouchers each year toward purchasing books, music, and art made by Australian creatives.
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9. Arms length arts funding
Decisions on grant funding of artists needs to be decided on by expert panels and judges who are independent, not by politicians or political expediency.
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10. Independent & properly funded ABC
Australia needs strong cultural institutions. An independent and properly-funded ABC is essential national infrastructure, from emergency broadcasting to kids television, We need a strong ABC that can report, inform, and entertain all Australians.