Australia is closer than ever to signing an historic free trade agreement with the US. Theoretically it means a more level playing field in the world’s biggest market for our farmers, resource sectors and other exporters.

But it cuts both ways. We have to open up our market too. And right now the Yanks are arguing that “culture” should be part of the deal. That means we’d have to drop official quotas on Australian music (as well as TV).

Some pundits are predicting the death knell for the local industry as radio stations will no longer be forced to provide a guaranteed level of exposure for Australian acts.

Quota or not, should radio keep playing the same amount of Oz Music out of patriotism? Or can our home-grown musos hold their own against the Americans. Tell us what you think!

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