A national independent review into sexual harm, harassment and systemic discrimination within Australia’s music industry has been met with support from bodies including ARIA and the PPCA.
The review will be undertaken by consultants Alexandra Shehadie and Sam Turner. They were selected by a panel comprised of the temporary working group that formed earlier this year to drive industry action into sexual misconduct, which includes Jaguar Jonze among its volunteers.
Representatives from ARIA, PPCA, APRA AMCOS, the Australia Council and Support Act also contributed to the selection process. Both Shehadie and Turner have extensive experience researching workplace culture across a range of fields – Shehadie had led reviews into the Australian Defence Force and Australian Police, and Turner had worked with companies like Westpac and Microsoft as an inclusion consultant.
Shehadie and Turner will hear from professionals from across all parts of Australia’s contemporary music industry, hearing their stories and experiences to inform their understanding and recommend solutions and areas for reform. Their findings will make up a report that is set to arrive in July of next year.
ARIA and PPCA CEO Annabelle Herd said the review would “create a safe, diverse equitable and ultimately better industry for all who work and operate in Australian music” in a statement today.
“I want to acknowledge that none of this would be happening without the survivors and thank those with lived experience who have so bravely spoken up, made their voices heard, and brought us to this point,” she added. “The music industry is special, it is full of inspiring, creative and passionate people working hard and doing what they love, but it is still a workplace.
“No one should be subjected to bullying, sexual harassment or sexual assault while at work. I strongly support this ambitious and ground-breaking industry-wide review, and call on industry businesses, organisations, and individuals to make any contribution they can to the review’s decentralised and independent funding approach.”
ARIA and PPCA COO echoed Herd’s sentiments, saying there were “voices that need to be heard and changes that must be made in order to achieve the working environment the wonderful and passionate members of our music industry deserve.”
