The Hon Rod Kemp was Minister for the Arts and Sport from Friday 23 November 2001 to Tuesday 30 January 2007. This site is available for archival purposes only.

Continued funding for Contemporary Music Touring Programme

Australian musicians and their audiences will continue to benefit from the Australian Government’s Contemporary Music Touring Programme.

Funding of $1 million over four years was announced in the 2006–07 Budget.

“The Australian Government is keen for people living in regional and remote Australia to have the same opportunities to see some of the best Australian contemporary music live,” said the Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator Rod Kemp.

The continued support will extend opportunities for remote touring through special assistance guidelines that acknowledge the difficulty and high costs of remote touring.

“Since 2003, the programme has helped more than 100 artists from genres as diverse as rock, pop, jazz, country, hip-hop and funk to travel, perform and host workshops in almost 2,000 performances around Australia—two-thirds of which have been in regional venues, from Tennant Creek to Albany and Devonport to Cairns,” he said.

A review of the Programme in 2005 revealed that around 375,000 Australians had seen a performance supported by the programme. Funded tours have helped contemporary musicians build a commercial market presence as well as supporting the cultural and social life of regional communities.

Chairman of the CMTP Committee, Mr Daryl Somers AOM, said he was delighted that the programme had been extended as it is vital for both artists and audiences, especially in regional Australia.

Supporting Information  

Why is this important?

• It will continue to create viable touring opportunities for musicians and ensure that audiences in regional and remote parts of the country have access to high quality original Australian contemporary music.  

Who will benefit?

• Musicians and music lovers around Australia, including those in regional, rural and remote Australia.

What funding is the Government committing to the initiative?

• $1 million over four years.

What have we done in the past?

• This is an extension of a successful programme.
• The Contemporary Music Touring Programme was introduced in 2002 to address the need to encourage access to contemporary music in remote areas.

When will the initiative conclude?

• 2009–10

8 May 2006
Media contact: Michael Christo, Minister’s Office 03 9650 7274 or 0409 040276