Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Smith for his long and enduring interest in and support for Australian music—something which, I think, we all share. Senator Smith and I are probably of a similar demographic and so I would hazard a guess that Cold Chisel's Flame Trees may well be a favourite of Senator Smith. As I look at Senator Cameron, I think it is probably Jimmy Barnes's Working Class Manthat rings his particular musical fancy.

The Australian music scene is strong and is of world standard. It continues to attract the international audiences it deserves. I was very pleased recently to be able to announce that Sounds Australia, whose funding was to conclude at the end of this year, will have that funding continue. There will be a total of $1.16 million in funding over the next four years, starting in January 2017. The funding complements other Commonwealth funding through the Australia Council for the Arts and funding from the industry body APRA AMCOS. There is good support from state governments as well.

Australian music does matter. I would like to give you one example of the reaction to our funding for Sounds Australia. It comes from Clara, the manager of the Australian band All Our Exes Live in Texas. She leapt to Facebook to say, 'It's a good time for all. An awesome day for Aussie music because Sounds Australia just got their funding back. Yes, Senator Mitch Fifield, you ripper! A good move. Such a worthwhile funding sitch, good on ya, Mitch.' They are all words and sentiments we can embrace.