Mr Andren asked the Minister for Small Business and Consumer Affairs, upon notice, on 26 June 1996:

Is it a fact that the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) is attempting to impose fees on businesses which play recorded music or radio broadcasts on their premises: if so, (a) does APRA already impose fees on radio stations to broadcast music, (b) has the Government examined the justification for APRA's attempt to impose fees on businesses and (c) will the Government amend the Copyright Act 1968 to prevent this additional impost on small business.

Mr Prosser —The answer to the honourable member's question is as follows:

Yes, the Australasian Performing Right Association, or APRA, is conducting a campaign at the moment to collect fees from businesses which play recorded music or radio broadcasts on their premises.

(a) APRA does collect fees from radio stations for the right to broadcast music.

(b) APRA has been collecting licence fees on behalf of songwriters and composers since 1926. Under section 31 of the Copyright Act 1968, the copyright in a literary, dramatic or musical work includes the exclusive right to perform the work in public (which includes the performance of the work in premises open to the public) and the right to broadcast the work.

(c) The Government is not, at this point in time, considering amending the Copyright Act 1968 to remove the long standing controls copyright owners have over their works. Like other small business people, copyright owners have the right to receive remuneration for the use of their work by others.