MEAA responds to predatory practices targeting Australian musicians

The Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA) is aware of a recent ABC report which exposed “Aussie Gigs” as a sham booking agency that has been defrauding gigging musicians.

The report uncovered allegations that the booking agency withheld thousands of dollars’ worth of performance fees owed to musicians they had engaged.

Unfortunately, incidents like this one are not isolated but reflect systemic issues across the industry.

“Musicians should not have to fight to be paid for their work and members are calling for significant reform to an industry that has long been unregulated,” MEAA Musicians Director Paul Davies said.

“MEAA’s most recent survey of musicians has revealed that more than half are earning less than $15,000 a year in an industry where non-payment, underpayment and broken contracts are rife.

“Predatory practices like this are reflective of the power imbalance between music businesses and working musicians. Exploitation in the music industry is enabled by a lack of minimum standards and protections.”

Mr Davies said this latest incident reinforces the urgent need for industry-wide reform to lift standards and protect musicians.

This is why MEAA members have been demanding serious change in the music industry – by working collectively to establish an industry code of conduct and minimum standards like the musicians minimum fee.

“We want to work with the music industry to set minimum standards that will allow for a safer, more sustainable and more rewarding music industry.”

Members who have experienced non-payment, exploitation, bullying or unsafe working conditions should contact us at 1300 656 513 or members@meaa.org.

Good and bad gigs can be shared via the MEAA Gig Map