MEAA

MEAA members and staff wrapped up three days at Parliament House today meeting with MPs and Senators to put the issues impacting creative and media workers’ on the agenda.

Across the week, members shared their experiences and called for action on fair pay, equitable remuneration, press freedom, the News Media Bargaining Incentive, Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property protections, and a National Cultural Policy that delivers real outcomes for workers and audiences.

We are in Canberra with Sarah Hanson-Young raising the urgent need for stronger protections for Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP).

ICIP covers all aspects of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ knowledge and cultural expression – and the rules governing how it can be used must be respected. Voluntary protocols are not enough. Communities need the certainty and protection that only legislation can provide.

In Canberra today, we met with Minister for Communications, Hon Anika Wells, to present our 4,006 strong member-signed petition advocating for the Federal Government’s News Media Bargaining Incentive to direct all funds raised to journalist and photojournalist jobs, target areas of public need by supporting the careers of First Nations journalists and regional media, and guarantee fair pay and conditions for working journalists.

Read more > meaa.io/NMBI

In Parliament House today with Mark Dreyfus MP, highlighting why the National Cultural Policy must translate into tangible outcomes for creative and media workers.

A thriving arts and culture sector depends on long-term investment, job security, access for all, and respect for the workforce behind the work. That’s what we’re advocating for policy that has artists, cultural workers and communities at its core.



Read more: meaa.io/NCP

Important conversation in Canberra with Angie Bell MP on the state of press freedom in Australia. A strong, independent media is essential to a healthy democracy - and journalists must be able to do their work safely, without interference or intimidation.

Read more: meaa.io/pressfreedom

Musicians are losing jobs and being stretched further in the gigs they can get, as KeyComp and other technologies replace them in the pit. Learn more about the impact of musicians in theatre pits being replaced by software, resulting in shrinking orchestras and a poorer experience for audiences.

Banned on Broadway, a new generation of music software is shrinking musical theatre orchestras Musicians are losing jobs, or stretched further in the gigs they can get, as KeyComp and other technologies replace human players in the pit

MEAA members and staff were back at Parliament House today meeting with MPs and Senators to ensure creative and media workers’ voices are heard. We discussed the importance of a National Cultural Policy that delivers for workers and audiences, stronger protections for press freedom, and the much-needed changes to Australian Copyright law.

Thank you to our members who shared their stories directly with decision-makers.

These conversations matter, and we’ll keep advocating to ensure the people who create, perform, report, design, produce and tell Australia’s stories are properly valued and protected.

Productive discussion with Zali Steggall today on the introduction of Equitable Remuneration into Australian Copyright law, ensuring fair pay for creative and media workers.

Paying our arts and culture workers their value isn’t optional, it’s fundamental to a sustainable industry and the livelihoods of workers.



Read more: meaa.io/PayUp