Australia’s National Songbook launches as a new digital archive and the first set of 10 songs are inducted, including Midnight Oil’s “Beds Are Burning,” Yothu Yindi’s “Treaty,” and Helen Reddy’s “I Am Woman.” The initiative is run in partnership between APRA AMCOS and the National Film and Sound Archive (NFSA) to preserve songs seen as shaping Australia’s cultural identity.
Coverage across outlets focuses on both the headline inclusions and the early omissions. Multiple outlets publish the full list of first 10 songs, highlighting well-known tracks such as “Waltzing Matilda” and “Midnight Oil” entries, as well as songs that reference asylum seekers. Several centre-left publications also stress that while major names are present, other prominent artists are not yet included.
Some reporting adds detail about how selections are made, including reference to “robust” judging and a panel of music experts involved in choosing the first batch. Across the different framings, outlets agree the list is only the start and the songbook is intended to grow over time.
