Letters of Support, Popkomm, Great Aus Wave

Dear All,

Popkomm was not supported by Austrade this year and it appears even the new Australian Music Industry representative was not going. Ozco ?????

I don't know what the problem was but the cancellation crystalized the threads of indifference. Steve was the only muscle being exerted re Popkomm.

So basically we are left with most governments supporting sxsw and not very much else, especially as a European focus; Midem a bit, but too up-market.

Clearly, the manner in which this problem has evolved has been poorly handled.

In this specific instance where people have worked hard, made sacrifices and put their money where their mouth was, have already done the preparation hard yards, else they would not have been a position to get a grant; it's a disgrace.

I'd actually like to see the contract in relation to the grant, as it might be interesting to see what legal right they have to do what they have done.

All in all it provides further evidence that governments and the other mob who have held the controls and levers of International Industry development and funding are all over the place and sloppy administrators.

Each state does what it likes, the feds the same and the winners are the old boy's club who offer little, hardly acquit themselves and call themselves 'peers'.

Their idea of having one person representing us all but controlled by them under such circumstances of state and federal government support is all the more galling.

Objective coordination and support is the answer, but in order to reach this stage we need to stop the Sydneycentric control of our Industry and ensure that sloppy government investment isn't all over the shop as indicated by this symptom.

We can make noises and be sure that if we do the idea of ever getting funding again fades, as we know. There is no one with any balls who is interested in getting this right and as such Industry development suffers.

We have to vault the ones who 'follow orders' and get to the pollies on a member by member basis, hopefully to the minister.

If we come from the corner of understanding and assistance we would be better off. If we go at it head on perhaps we would receive a lesser outcome.

We need to use both tools conversation and saber rattling I feel.

We will have to have a meeting to discuss our options, email will only work for certain views and is a pretty slow way to get ideas concreted.

Just my ideas and opinions, off the top of my dome ..