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Queensland hosts celebration of Australia’s women in music

The spotlight will be on the many talented women in Australia’s music industry when the inaugural Australian Women in Music Awards (AWMA) are held in Brisbane tonight.

Queensland Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch said the awards, across 14 categories, recognised the value, contribution and ongoing participation of women across the full spectrum of the Australian music industry.

“These awards are a wonderful showcase of our talented performers, while also recognising those behind the scenes in technical production, music education, music photography and humanitarian work, as well as acknowledging First Nations and artists from diverse cultural backgrounds,” Ms Enoch said.

“I congratulate the many talented award recipients and finalists for the important contribution they make in a predominantly male dominated industry.

“These inspiring women enrich our lives through the power and beauty of music.

“The Palaszczuk Government recognises the important role these women have in the music and arts industry, and that is why our Government provides platforms to kickstart the careers of emerging female musicians, and celebrate and support artists to reach new audiences.

“This includes supporting the Carol Lloyd Award, which opens for nominations tonight, as a fitting legacy for an amazing musical talent, trailblazer, and incredible Queenslander to nurture emerging female singer-songwriters.”

Minister for Child Safety, Youth and Women and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Di Farmer said the Palaszczuk Government was committed to supporting women in music and driving gender equality.

“I am proud that Queensland is hosting these inaugural awards, together with the supporting program of forums, as they provide an important opportunity to celebrate women within the Australian music community and nurture career pathways,” Ms Farmer said.

“Women represent only one-fifth of songwriters and composers registered with the Australasian Performing Rights Association (APRA), despite them representing 45 per cent of Australians with a music qualification and half of those studying music.

“Women hold only 28 per cent of senior and strategic roles in key industry associations, and female artists earn less in general than their male counterparts.

“We know that there are significant benefits for all when women play an equal role in business, leadership, government, and in the arts.”

AWMA founding director and executive producer Vicki Gordon said Queensland was a great location to hold the first awards event.

“We are so excited to be hosting the inaugural Australian Women in Music Awards in Brisbane,” Ms Gordon said.

“It is both timely and fitting that we are changing Australian music history in a state where the Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, has made such a strong commitment to addressing gender equality.”

For more information on the Australian Women in Music Awards visit: https://womeninmusicawards.com.au/

For more information on the Carol Lloyd Awards visit: https://qmf.org.au/