Spotify global exec warns Labor's quotas threaten Aussie music exports
Sulinna Ong, global head of editorial at Spotify, says plans by Arts Minister Tony Burke for quotas on music could backfire and hurt the artists they're meant to help.
Spotify’s top global editorial executive has warned that plans by the Australian government to impose local audio streaming quotas could trigger a global arms race that stifles the ability of local artists to reach global listeners.
Sulinna Ong, global head of editorial at Spotify, said the plans would hurt Australia’s music export industry and emerge squarely at odds with feedback the platform hears from artists, who want to reach audiences in global markets.
“What I will say is, if you’re going to implement domestic algorithmic percentages and quotas, there are also other things to consider in terms of … what are the consequences of that?,” Ong told Capital Brief.
“If every market does that, then it limits the export potential of Australian music to other countries, which, when we’re talking to artists, is consistently one of the things they really care about, and think is one of the most important things in terms of growing their audience.”
