Nominations for 2026 AMPAL Board Elections Now Open

The 2026 AMPAL Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on Tuesday 24 November 2026. Voting for the election of directors to the AMPAL Board will take place prior to the AGM. 

In accordance with the AMPAL Constitution, nominations for election to the AMPAL Board must be received by the Company Secretary by close of business on Friday 25 September 2026. 

If you are an AMPAL member, you may be eligible to nominate for election to the AMPAL Board. 

2026 Board vacancies 

This year, five directors will be elected by the AMPAL membership. 

Per AMPAL’s Constitution, it has been determined that the following directors are required to retire: 

• Linda Bosidis (Mushroom Music Publishing) 

• Craig Monagle (Warner Music Publishing) 

• Simon Moor (Kobalt Music Publishing) 

• Philip Mortlock (ORiGiN Music Publishing)  

• Art Phillips (101 Music)  

All five retiring directors have indicated their intention to nominate for re-election. 

Board responsibilities and expectations 

AMPAL Board members are expected to: 

• Act with the utmost integrity and objectivity  

• Strive to enhance AMPAL’s reputation and performance  

• Uphold the highest standards of ethical behaviour  

AMPAL Board members must not: 

• Improperly use their position or information for personal gain  

• Engage in business transactions with AMPAL or related entities without full Board approval  

• Allow conflicts of interest to go unreported  

Directors acknowledge that: 

• They owe fiduciary duties to AMPAL, including duties of loyalty, diligence and confidentiality  

• Their primary responsibility is to act in the best interests of AMPAL and its members as a whole  

• In cases of potential conflict, including dual directorships, their duty to AMPAL takes precedence and they may be required to abstain from voting  

More information 

To discuss your eligibility or the responsibilities of serving as an AMPAL director, please contact Damian Rinaldi, AMPAL Company Secretary, at company.secretary@ampal.com.au 

A formal notice of the AGM, including nominee details and voting instructions, will be sent to eligible members at least 30 days before the meeting. 

Read the AMPAL Constitution: ampal.com.au/ampal-constitution 

No free pass: music publishers warn Canberra not to trade Australian songs for AI investment

As the creative industry backs an Open Letter to Government, AMPAL calls on the Australian Government to hold the line on AI, copyright and creator rights 

Australia’s music publishers have issued one of their strongest warnings yet over artificial intelligence and copyright, arguing the Federal Government risks trading away the rights of songwriters and composers in a rush to attract AI investment. 

The Australasian Music Publishers’ Association Limited (AMPAL) is backing the creative industries’ Open Letter to Government, which calls on the Australian Government to commit to the future of creativity in this country and reject any weakening of copyright protections for AI companies. 

AMPAL is encouraging music publishers, songwriters, composers, music businesses and the wider creative sector to sign the Open Letter and add their voices to the growing call for no use without permission and payment for their creative content. 

The Open Letter can be signed here: Open Letter to Government 

As creative industries leaders gather at Parliament House this week, AMPAL has called on Canberra to continue to reject any text and data mining exception or copyright carve-out that would allow AI companies to use music without permission. 

AMPAL CEO Damian Rinaldi is at Parliament House alongside AMPAL Board Director Art Phillips, joining a broader push from the music and creative industries to keep permission at the centre of Australian copyright law. 

AMPAL’s message is clear and simple: AI companies do not need weaker copyright laws to innovate. They need licences. 

“If AI companies want to use music, they need permission, they need a licence and they need to pay fairly”, Mr Rinaldi said. 

“Licensing is already working. Australia should not weaken copyright to solve a problem the market is already solving.” 

AMPAL says that any carve-out for AI companies would undermine the basic licensing framework that governs every other commercial use of music. 

Every other commercial user of music is expected to play by the rules. Radio stations, streaming services, advertisers, film producers, television networks, brands and venues all operate within copyright and licensing systems. 

AI companies should not be handed a special exemption simply because they are new, powerful or well-funded. 

Innovation is not a reason to bypass permission. Scale is not a reason to avoid licensing. 

AMPAL Board Director and Co-CEO of Mushroom Music Linda Bosidis said the issue is not solved by a levy, a fund or an after-the-fact payment scheme. 

“A levy is not consent. A fund is not permission. A payment does not replace the right to choose. 

“This is an existential threat. Songwriters, the human creators at the heart of every song, must retain the right to say yes, the right to negotiate and the right to say no. 

“Once permission is removed, creators no longer control their own work, they become a free resource for tech companies and an unpaid input into someone else’s business model.” 

AMPAL says Australia has already held the line on AI and copyright and should not now backtrack. 

AMPAL Board Director and Managing Director of Kobalt Music Publishing APAC Simon Moor said a text and data mining exception would risk undercutting licensing deals already being developed in Australia and overseas. 

“Backtracking on text and data mining would undermine the licences already in place that enable AI innovation, disrupt legitimate licensing negotiations underway in Australia and around the world, short-change Australian creators, and trade away our cultural assets for a fraction of their true value. 

“Australia must not become the weakest link.” 

AMPAL Board Director and Owner/Director of 101 Music Art Phillips said music should not be treated as raw material for the technology sector. 

“Music is not a pile of content waiting to be scraped. 

“It is the result of human lives, human stories and human craft. 

“Music publishers are custodians of those rights on behalf of creators. AI companies should not get a special carve-out from the rules every other commercial user of music follows: ask first, pay fairly and respect copyright.” 

AMPAL Board Director and Managing Director of Sony Music Publishing Australia Damian Trotter said the industry cannot afford to underestimate the stakes. 

“I don’t believe there is anything more important, or that poses a greater threat to songwriters, artists and the wider creative industries, than what is happening right now around AI and the proposed evisceration of copyright. 

It is inconceivable that this government could even be entertaining the idea of allowing giant technology companies, who fiercely protect their own IP, to ingest the totality of human creativity without consent, attribution or anything approaching fair compensation. 

And in return for what? A bunch of giant boxes in our suburbs, drawing astronomical amounts of power, competing with us for drinking water, all while replacing the next generation’s jobs. 

This is not simply about pushing back against another new technology. It is an existential threat, and it must be met with the full force of our industry.” 

AMPAL says music publishers support innovation, but innovation must be built on permission, licensing and fair value. 

The association says the question for Australia is not whether AI will reshape creative industries, but whether the people who wrote the songs, scores and catalogues AI companies want to use will still have the right to say yes, negotiate a fair price, or say no. 

AMPAL is calling on all music publishers, songwriters, composers and creative industry supporters to sign the Open Letter to Government and help reinforce the sector’s message: 

No use without permission and payment. 

Creative work must be licensed, not taken. 

AMPAL’s position is clear: 

No exceptions. No free pass. License it. 

 
Sign the Open Letter: Open Letter to Government 

Remembering Col Joye AM (1936-2025) - A Pioneer Who Shaped Australasian Music Publishing

Col Joye AM (1936-2025) was more than a rock ’n’ roll trailblazer - he played a huge part in laying the foundation for Australasian music publishing.  

Through ATA and Joye Music he supported local songwriters while safeguarding their rights and ensuring their music was heard throughout Australasia and across the world.  

Col Joye’s impact on Australian music goes far beyond his legendary rock ’n’ roll hits. As a visionary music publisher, he was instrumental in building one of the country’s earliest and most influential publishing companies through ATA and Joye Music.  

Col championed local songwriters at a time when Australasian music was fighting for its place on the world stage.  

Thanks to his vision and dedication, Col laid the foundation for a thriving Australasian music publishing community that AMPAL proudly champions today. 

At AMPAL we recognise Col for showing us that music publishing goes beyond business, it’s about believing in Australasian songwriters and backing them every step of the way. 

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Current and former AMPAL Board members reflect on their memories of Col Joye:

Clive Hodson - Current AMPAL Chair & Managing Director Perfect Pitch Publishing

Col Joye was a true pioneer of Australian music publishing and I feel deeply fortunate to have known him. AMPAL honours his extraordinary contribution to music publishing and his championing of songwriters, bringing their work to the world.

Fifa Riccobono AM - AMPAL Board member 1997 - 2002

Some years ago I was at a luncheon and Col was being his usual entertaining self, walking around the tables playing his ukelele and when he got to me he bent down beside me and started playing a Māori song, I softly said “Col, I’m Sicilian” and without missing a beat he segued into “That’s Amore” followed by that wonderful Col laugh!  He was the consummate performer and a wonderful guy to boot!  That darling man and that beautiful smile will be sorely missed.  Vale Col Joye. 

Mark Callaghan - AMPAL General Manager 2007 - 2010 

It was during my time as A&R Manager at Festival records that I first met Col Joye. From the first time we met I was so impressed by Col’s knowledge, zest for life and wonderful nature. 

We'd have lunch regularly during that time and also later when I was General Manager of AMPAL. Col would regale me with stories of his time with the Joye Boys - and boy they were a wild bunch! 

My favourite story was when Col told me of one particular tour the Joye Boys did with a group of artists that included Little Pattie and the wonderful Uncle Jimmy Little. 

Col described how the touring party checked into a motel in Moree (I’m pretty sure it was) and headed for their rooms. Some time later Col walked through reception and saw Uncle Jimmy sitting there. 

When he asked what Jimmy was doing, Jimmy said that he hadn’t been given a room as he wasn’t allowed to stay in that motel. 

According to Col, the touring party were outraged and promptly ‘trashed their rooms’ before leaving the hotel in disgust. 

That was Col - he deeply loved Australian Music and his fellow performers and had a keen sense of justice. 

He told me tales of the young Bee Gees hanging around the Festival studio hassling other artists to cover their songs.  

He told me stories about the great Johnny O’Keefe - the wild man of Aussie Rock - and how the only other artist he permitted to share his dressing room was Uncle Jimmy Little, the quietly spoken non-drinker that Johnny adored. 

They were marvellous lunches and the chance to hear the stories of Col’s life in music was just priceless. 

Col was also an astute businessman of course and a seminal figure in the development of our industry, so his thoughts and observations were always insightful and informative.

Knowing Col Joye was an absolute privilege. He was a gentleman and a scholar and will be greatly missed by all who knew him. 

Rest In peace Col. 

Peter Hebbes AM - Served as a Director on AMPAL's Board for over 40 years and General Manager from 2010 to 2012 

Col Joye was one of the most respected and loved members of the Australian music scene. His passing is the end of an era, but his history will linger on forever. 

His professional recording and performing career is well established and widely known. However his generosity in supporting and encouraging songwriters, is less known to the general public but well known within the Industry. He loved lyrics and tunes and was forever mentoring young and new writers in their craft. He always made his studio available to writers FOC, often engineering the sessions himself. In the early 60’s, he started Joye Publishing, and his first signing was Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees!! Col went on to sign many well-known Australian writers such as Kevin Johnson and Mike McClellan and was constantly pitching songs to recording artists all over the world, even in the last 12 months of his illness. 

His record label was just as busy, recording mainly family and friends, such as Little Pattie and Sandy Scott. He had amazing ears and pitch and was constantly correcting or changing music for stage shows and recordings. Not only did he love the music industry, he also loved his politics and was one of the behind-the-scenes organisers of the famous Gough Whitlam, “It’s Time” Campaign, written by Pat Aulton and recorded and produced in his studios. 

Together with his brother Kevin, they formed one of the most successful touring promotion companies, bringing artists out to Australia such as Bruce Springsteen, Barbra Streisand and Michael Jackson – just to name a few. 

Col was a great supporter of the Australasian Music Industry and always promoted and believed in the Societies - APRA/AMCOS, AMPAL, CMAA and ARIA. He was also a great supporter of the Golden Stave Foundation and Support Act. 

Col will be sadly missed by many and I personally will miss our regular lunches and get-togethers at the nearest “greasy spoon” (as he used to call them). 

Jeremy Fabinyi – AMPAL CEO 1992 - 1988 & General Manager 2012 - 2016 

Col and his brother Kevin Jacobsen were trailblazers in the early days of rock and roll in Australia and their publishing and entertainment businesses had a tremendous impact on the development of the music business. 

Matthew O’Sullivan – AMPAL General Manager 2016 - 2022 

I will remember Col Joye as a very entertaining, energetic and cheery fellow.  Col would announce his arrival at AMPAL AGMs as “Col Joye and the Joy Boys” from the back of the meeting room.  He was always a supporter of AMPAL and the music publishing sector generally.  The industry has lost a great ambassador and a great friend, but Col's legacy as a trailblazing and pioneering artist will endure.  My thoughts are with Dalys and the Joye family. 

Matthew Donlevy – Current AMPAL Board member & Managing Director Cooking Vinyl Australia  

My mother Rose, when in her early 20s worked at Chappell and Co and, as artists did in the day to find new songs to perform Col would pop into Chappell looking for new songs. She would give him the sheet music to the latest O/S songs for him to try. So every time I saw Col from an early age he would always greet me with “G’day Matt, how’s your mum”. Unnerving when a pop star of the time asks about your Mum… 

Art Phillips – Current AMPAL Board member & Owner & Director 101 Music Pty Ltd 

Col Joye was a musical legend and pioneer of the Australian Rock n’ Roll/Pop scene. He was the first Australian pop performer to have a national number one hit single with ‘Oh Yeah Uh Huh’. He continued with ten Top 10 hits in the Sydney charts from May 1959 to May 1962, including four Number 1s. 

I have many great memories of Col who was a true gentleman, a super talent, fun-loving, always with a smile, always with a story. He left a memorable impression on everyone he met. 

Many years ago whilst playing on one of Col’s recordings at ATA Studios Glebe, he handed me one of his favourite guitars. I commented when playing it – ‘Nice, but it has a bit of a weird neck’. He never let me live it down!  

Every time I would see him since that day he would address that moment immediately, shouting in his playful voice ‘Hey here’s the weird neck man’.  

In fact, just last November I was being interviewed on a local radio show at 2RRR FM with Michael Parsons, when low and behold Col calls in ‘live on air’ and says ‘How’s that weird neck man’. 

We thank you Mr Joye for your lifelong contributions to our industry over the years. You will be deeply missed. 

Damian Rinaldi - Current AMPAL CEO

Col Joye’s passing marks the loss of a true legend, not just of Australian performance history, but of our music publishing community. His support for AMPAL and our broader industry was constant and genuine. Long before many recognised the value of a song’s copyright, Col was backing songwriters with his time, resources and belief. 

Col’s impact will live on in the songs he championed, the careers he helped launch and the countless writers who found their start and their confidence because he believed in them. Vale, Col Joye.  

Col Joye - 1936-2025