AusLeisure

A “broad cultural review” into ‘sexual harm, sexual harassment and systemic discrimination’ in the Australian music industry is underway with the chosen consultants Alex Shehadie and Sam Turner obtaining information from a range of individuals including record labels, publishers, artists, artist managers, agents, festival and production staff.

Announced, under the auspices of Support Act, before Christmas, the National Music Industry Review, will deliver recommendations to companies in the Australian industry, in order to “ensure (the) music industry has a safe, respectful and inclusive culture”.

Shehadie and Turner, selected after a tender process by a temporary working group formed after a meeting in May 2021 about sexual assault in the country’s music industry advise that the Review “will not investigate any individual incident but will … be an opportunity for people to share their stories, have their voices heard, and propose ideas on how the industry can be a safer, more inclusive and respectful workplace”.

Their work will be comprised of: a national survey; a confidential online written submissions process; focus groups across a range of areas and demographics; and confidential one-on-one interviews.

Commenting on the review, Hannah Pehi, Warner Music Australasia’s Head of People and Culture, added: “An important step in resetting our industry as a whole is to understand all the factors that have led us to where we are today.

“We welcome the opportunity to support change and will do all we can to help shape a better future for the Australian music industry.”

In In January last year, Warner Music fired senior A&R executive Scott Maclachlan following an internal investigation into alleged sexual harassment.

Another senior executive in the business, Tony Glover, was fired by Sony Music in April following an independent investigation linked to allegations of sexual harassment and bullying. Glover initially denied these allegations.

In June, Sony Music Australia parted ways with its long-time Chief Executive and Chairman, Denis Handlin, who has been accused by multiple employees of fostering a toxic workplace culture, and of workplace bullying. Handlin has not been accused of any sexual harassment or assault.

In July, Universal Music Australia’s President, George Ash, informed his company that UMG was launching its own independent investigation into workplace culture following anonymised allegations of impropriety at the firm.

Ash wrote in an email to staff “as the leader of this company I take full responsibility for creating a respectful workplace culture for everyone.

“With respect to my own behaviour, it is particularly painful to realise now that what I intended as jokes were unacceptable comments that made some of you uncomfortable.”

In December last year, Mushroom Group announced it was parting ways with live business Harbour Agency after an investigation was launched into the latter firm linked to claims from former Harbour Agency staff on past management behaviour and workplace culture.

The Music Industry Review is being supported by two Australian collecting societies - APRA AMCOS and PPCA - as well as record industry trade group ARIA, and music industry charity Support Act.

The final report will not name individuals nor alleged perpetrators.

Shehadie and Turner plan to complete their work in June 2022.

Click here for more information.

Image courtesy of Creative Victoria.

 

Related Articles

28th January 2022 - Queensland Government continues to support live music industry in 2022

13th January 2022 - Omicron impact sees call for screen production insurance to be matched for live music and events

15th December 2021 - Australian music fans reveal the artists they most want to see perform live in 2022

30th November 2021 - Live music and entertainment industry urges Governments to deliver national insurance scheme as Omicron threatens recovery

20th October 2021 - Inaugural Executive Director appointed for newly formed organisation Music in the Regions

18th October 2021 - Rolling Stone Australia Awards to return in 2022 with live music event series

15th October 2021 - Live music sector continues call for national event insurance scheme

12th August 2021 - Support Act receives $20 million funding during extended arts shutdowns

26th March 2021 - Support Act welcomes new Federal Government funding for COVID services

13th August 2021 - Powerlifting Australia Chief Executive steps down while commencing legal action against sex harassment accuser

2nd July 2021 - Barrister to head Swimming Australia inquiry into discrimination and harassment claims

25th June 2021 - Global survey finds that more than 50% of women harassed while training at the gym

18th October 2019 - South Australian Council changes decision to evict AFL club over sexual harassment allegations

10th September 2019 - Victorian hospitality venues pledge to halt workplace sexual harassment

19th March 2019 - New Auckland Art Gallery Director will not take on role after harassment allegation in Canada

11th May 2018 - Sponsors call for explanation of Fremantle Dockers sexual harassment claims

26th February 2018 - Draft Entertainment Industry Code of Practice to prevent workplace discrimination and harassment

8th January 2018 - MEAA looks to protect theatre workers from sexual harassment

17th December 2017 - Australian Major Performing Arts Group condemns harassment and bullying

12th December 2017 - AFL executive forced to resign over sexual harassment complaints

3rd November 2017 - Australia’s state theatre companies condemn sexual harassment

---

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.