As part of its Music Policy, the NSW Labor party has included a pledge to fund music and youth projects on community radio.

Labor’s John Graham and other NSW state MPs have been working on a plan to revitalise the music scene in Sydney. Labor has taken that work further to formulate a range of policies about live music, including supporting community radio.

Labor is the first party to announce plans for the music industry as the NSW election looms on 23 March.

The party’s policy states:

“Labor will directly fund community radio for the first time by investing $1 million to help community radio stations showcase NSW musicians.”

This funding will help stations with programs including:

• The broadcast of live performances from local venues and music festivals; and
• Competitions for emerging artists

Labor would also change the NSW Government’s advertising guidelines to ensure a greater share is put on community radio sponsorship announcements, where appropriate.

The Community Broadcasting Association has welcomed the announcement, saying: “NSW Labor has publicly recognised the important role community radio plays in supporting and developing diverse music communities right across the state.”