PM Transcripts

FOR PRESS: 65/ 127
P. M. No. 76/ 1966
COMMONWEALTH AID FOR COMSERS OF MUSIC
Statement by the Prime Minister, Mr. Harold Holt
For some time it has been suggested from various
quarters that the Commonwealth Government give financial support
designed to encourage the development of Australian music.
From time to time the Government has examined the
question, but decided against taking any action, largely because
young musicians and composers are able to benefit from the
Commonwealth University Scholarship Scheme, and because
considerable help is given to musia through the activities of
the Australian Broadcasting Commission.
The Commonwealth Government has now decided to
provide assistance to enable Australian composers to make their
works known. This is an important type of aid not previously
covered by any form of financial assistance from the Commonwealth
Government. Each year a sum of money, initially $ 10,000, will
be made available for the purpose of having composers' * riginl zamical
scores copied or printed in numbers sufficient for them to be
played by orchestras, and to have these scores played by orchestras
and recorded on tape for audition purposes, but not for commercial
use. Arrangements for the administration of this aid
have yet to be decided, but they will be made known as soon as
possible. CANBERRA, August, 1966.