Mrs Crosio asked the Minister representing the Minister for Communications and the Arts, upon notice, on 4 February 1997:

(1) Is the Minister able to say what was the value of exports of Australian popular music in (a) 1990-91, (b) 1991-92, (c) 1992-93, (d) 1993-94, (e) 1994-95 and (f) 1995-96.

(2) What percentage of all export dollars earned by Australia in each of the years referred to in part (1) was made by exporting Australian music.

(3) What sum was allocated in the 1996-97 Budget for the establishment of the Contemporary Music Export Fund.

(4) If the Fund did have money allocated to it, can the Minister say (a) when the fund will begin operation if it has not begun already, (b) how the fund will be administered, (c) how many persons are to be, or have been, employed to administer the fund, and (d) what salaries have been decided upon, or are being considered, for the chief executives in charge of administering the fund.

(5) Further to part (c) of the Minister's answer to question No. 258 (Hansard, 28 June 1996, page 3128), concerning the Contemporary Music Export Fund, (a) how many musicians has the fund already assisted, including individual names and what sums have been provided and (b) how many musicians does the fund intend to assist, including individual names and what sums will be provided.

(6) Is the Minister able to say what role the contemporary music organisation Ausmusic has in the Australian artistic and music community and whether it is involved in the promotion and advancement of Australian music overseas.

(7) Was the Commonwealth responsible for funding Ausmusic's entire budget prior to the 1996-97 Budget; if not, what sum did the Commonwealth provide to Ausmusic and what percentage was it of the organisation's budget in (a) 1990-91, (b) 1991-92, (c) 1992-93, (d) 1993-94, (e) 1994-95 and (f) 1995-96.

(8) Further to part (a) of the Minister's answer to question No. 258, what is the basis for the Minister stating that Ausmusic lacks recognition and support from most sectors of the industry.

(9) Can the Minister provide the names and dates of any reports, publications, releases, broadcasts or other information sources showing evidence of (a) support given to the Contemporary Music Export Fund by members of the Australian music industry and (b) members of the Australian music industry advocating their lack of support for Ausmusic and their support for its discontinuation; if not, why not.

(10) Further to part (a) of the Minister's answer to question No. 258, (a) what organisations are duplicated by Ausmusic, (b) what services of Ausmusic do these organisations duplicate and (c) do these organisations receive, or have received, Commonwealth funding; if not, why not.

Mr Warwick Smith —The Minister for Communications and the Arts has provided the following answer to the honourable member's question:

(1 and 2)

No. The Australian Bureau of Statistics collects data on the export of goods related to the music industry such as gramophone records, recorded magnetic tapes and compact disks, but does not collect data on what proportion of these goods contains music or whether that music is recorded

by Australian or overseas musicians or can be described as popular or classical. It also collects details of gross receipts from overseas tours by Australian sporting, recreational and cultural performers, but not specifically from tours by performers of Australian popular music.

(3) $300,000.

(4) The Contemporary Music Export Development Fund, which is administered by the Australia Council, is expected to begin full operation after May 1997. The Australia Council has granted $200,000 to support The Big Backyard to allow this body to continue with its international promotion of Australian contemporary rock music. The fund is being managed within the current resources of the Australia Council, with no additional persons employed for administrative purposes.

(5) (a) The Big Backyard program which has been supported by the Fund will assist the following musicians:

(b) This is not yet known in advance of decisions on funding.

(6) Ausmusic's 1995 Annual Report lists its principal activities as follows:

The Company is a non-profit organisation that aims to provide support for young Australian performers and associated personnel to develop their talents.

The Company is required to work in ways which will complement and enhance the activities of the private, corporate and government sectors. This requirement, aimed at developing opportunities for young Australians in all aspects of contemporary music, is the Company's major activity.

With this aim the Company's principal areas of operation are—

.   Development and enhancement of educational and training opportunities for young people in all aspects of the production and performance of contemporary music.

.   Initiation of the research into all facets of the contemporary music industry which are required to gain a clear overview of the industry's needs ensuring that information on all aspects of the industry is easily accessible.

.   Liaison with and the organisation of communication between the diverse agencies and bodies that represent the various interests active in the industry. The establishment and maintenance of relations with relevant sections of government. The development of a national overview that ensures the minimisation of duplicated effort.

.   Develop strategies, campaigns and packages that can attract significant private and public sector support for the industry.

(7) No. The Commonwealth provided funding to Ausmusic between 1990/91 and 1995/96 as follows:

In addition, within the Communications and the Arts portfolio, the Australia Council provided project grants through its Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Board of: 1992/93—$40,000; 1993/94—$30,000; 1994/95—$20,000.

(8 and 9) This statement is based on advice received from a wide range of sources including

members of the music industry. It is not appropriate to release information which may have been provided to the Government during its deliberations on specific Budget issues. The Australia Council advises me that in the course of discussions with key sectors of the music industry there has been strong support of the Government's initiative to establish the Contemporary Music Export Development Fund.

(10) (a) Such organisations include state government arts departments, radio stations and industry training bodies.

(b) Its promotional activities in general, especially information services and education and curriculum development.

(c)   While some may be in receipt of Commonwealth funding others are not, because they are able to operate effectively without it.