MEAA, CPSU and ETU members at Arts Centre Melbourne have voted overwhelmingly to endorse protected industrial action, starting next week, with over 95% of voters saying YES to industrial action. #StrongerTogether

Australia's live performance industry is in crisis. Production cancellations are leaving performers, musicians, crew, technicians and creative workers without work, and audiences and communities across Australia are also losing out. Sign the letter to government: meaa.io/SaveLivePerf...

MEAA extends its thanks to outgoing ACTU Secretary Sally McManus and President Michele O'Neil. Their leadership has helped secure rights and conditions for Australian workers, and their unwavering support for creative and media workers ensures MEAA members' voices are heard.

MEAA member, Nicole da Silva - stage, film and television actor - shares why it's so important for original creators to be protected from the threat of AI stealing their work without compensation. Join Nicole in supporting our Pay Up campaign: meaa.io/4vK9aCx #PayUp #StrongerTogether

We're calling for urgent, coordinated federal government intervention, in the form of tax concessions for production companies, increased government funding and “cultural passes” to increase audience access to arts and culture in Australia. Read more: meaa.io/4gU9U4y

Musical theatre is in crisis, and not just in Australia – but the success of this small gem offers hope

Cancellations for major productions including Beetlejuice and Waitress have cast a pall over the industry. Yet it’s not all doom and gloom

theguardian.com

We need stronger protections for original creators that give them control over how their work, identity and reputation are used - and they should be paid for it. Read more: meaa.io/3TdjjKB #PayUp #StrongerTogether

Artists need copyright plus in the age of AI

Copyright law has long served owners and technology companies more effectively than creators. AI licensing now makes the case for stronger protection for artists.

meaa.io

MEAA stands with performance venue Divine Playhouse, Heaps Gay Events and the workers impacted by the venue's closure. For nearly a century, this building has been a cultural and performance space, available to presenters and artists - particularly those from diverse communities.

Have you signed our open letter calling on government to do more to save live performance? Join the 5,000+ signatures calling for urgent action as the live performance crisis in Australia deepens. Read more: www.artshub.com.au

'Breaking point': MEAA demands urgent action as live performance crisis deepens

As more major musicals are cancelled, the entertainment and arts union is urging governments to back industry reform before more jobs are lost.

artshub.com.au

Congratulations to SBS journalist Kerrin Thomas, winner of the Feature, Documentary or Current Affairs award at the 2026 Tas Media Awards. Kerrin's SBS World News feature on the restoration and history of Wybalenna was praised by judges for its sensitivity, compassion and high-quality storytelling.

MEAA stands with Nine Publishing members affected by today’s announcement that 30 editorial roles will be cut across The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, Brisbane Times and WAToday. Read more: meaa.io/4frrhXV

Since 1 July 2026, superannuation must be paid at the same time as wages, salaries or fees are paid. For many musicians and other creative workers, this means super will be paid directly into your nominated super fund rather than being included in your payment. meaa.io/4fqlUZa

Watch this NIDA interview with Fiona Donovan about her training, career and what inspires her. Donovan is a designer that has worked across Australia on outstanding Australian productions including the Correspondent with Richard Roxburgh.

Production Designer Fiona Donovan

Designer Fiona Donovan has worked across outstanding Australian productions including, 'The Twelve', 'Population: 11' and recently 'The Correspondent' starring fellow alum, Richard Roxburgh. Now the…

meaa.io

Read the letter sent by MEAA to Tasmanian Premier, Jeremy Rockliff, and Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management, Felix Ellis, seeking an apology from Minister Ellis for a social media post where Ellis targeted a journalist for asking a question he didn’t like. meaa.io/4w7b553

MEAA welcomes the Prime Minister's commitment to ensuring creative and media workers have ownership and control of their work in the age of AI, and are able to share in the value it creates. Read more: meaa.io/4vriKKF #PayUp #NationalCulturalPolicy #StrongerTogether

ABC is rolling out new AI tools to staff and trialling the use of AI to help write digital news articles based on radio bulletins. ABC management needs to work closely with MEAA members on its rollout to ensure AI doesn't compromise job security and audience trust. meaa.io/4fBvae4

Experts and union warn about ABC's AI use

Experts and the journalists’ union have welcomed the ABC’s plans to use artificial intelligence responsibly, but warned misuse could damage trust in the public broadcaster.

abc.net.au

Australia’s Live Performance Industry in Crisis and we are calling for action. The the next National Cultural Policy must deliver a sustainable future for workers in the industry – as well as improved access for audiences. Read more: meaa.io/3Rigya2 #SaveLivePerformance

Vale Sam Neill, legendary actor whose unrivalled talent was only matched by his humility. Neil was a MEAA member for almost half a century and awarded the Equity NZ Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019. Our condolences to his friends and family. meaa.io/4fcYm9V

Breaking: Actor Sam Neill dies aged 78

New Zealand actor Sam Neill, who starred in My Brilliant Career and Jurassic Park, has died aged 78.

abc.net.au

Emergency Live Performance Town Hall Meeting – online 3PM AEST this Monday 13 July All live theatre creative workers are invited to join us as we seek endorsement of a Live Performance Action Plan to address an industry in crisis. meaa.io/4gpPSyu

Following the cancellation of multiple shows across Australia, we are at a critical time for live performance here in Australia. #PayUp #NationalCulturalPolicy meaa.io/4vjDt2P

EXCLUSIVE: The AFL gets a massive tax exemption. Why doesn’t live theatre?

As Australia experiences the cancellation of major theatre productions, industry professionals warn against the flow-on effects.

who.com.au

Journalists, performers, technicians, producers, crew and artists deserve wage increases that allow them to build secure futures. Our next National Cultural Policy must ensure a sustainable future for our workers and industry. #NationalCulturalPolicy Learn more: meaa.io/NCP

MEAA welcomes the Government's clear commitment to not watering down copyright law in the age of AI. The principle remains clear: if big tech companies use copyrighted content to train and commercialise their AI systems, they must pay the original creators for that use. #PayUp buff.ly/fsS0xDW

Write us a cheque: Australian authors, musicians want AI forced to pay for using their work

Senator David Pocock has accused the government of entertaining the idea of weakening copyright laws for AI giants.

smh.com.au

Big tech companies like Google and Facebook profit from news content produced by journalists, without payment. Pictured: Journalists from ABC Brisbane and Toowoomba, and the Toowoomba Chronicle showing their support

Musical productions are turning to cost-cutting technologies such as KeyComp to replace live musicians, as cost-of-living pressures continue to hit the sector. #KeepMusicLive meaa.io/3T8nDuk

It took James years to master a single note. Now he’s being replaced by technology

Musical productions are rapidly turning to cost-cutting technologies to replace live musicians – but audiences aren’t reaping a discount.

smh.com.au

MEAA members in newsrooms are calling for the News Media Bargaining Incentive to be strengthened to ensure that all funds raised go directly to supporting journalism and media workers. meaa.io/NMBI #PayUp

Members are calling for a stronger News Media Bargaining Incentive that ensures funding goes directly to journalists and photojournalists jobs, including freelancers, and provides stronger support for regional and First Nations media workers – alongside fair pay and conditions across the industry.

Journalists and media workers across the country are demanding that funding from the News Media Bargaining Incentive goes directly to journalists, support for regional and First Nations media workers. #PayUp Read more - meaa.io/NMBI

Musicians are losing jobs and being stretched further in the gigs they can get, as KeyComp and other technologies replace them in the pit. #KeepMusicLive meaa.io/3SpEGbc

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

theguardian.com

Hear from MEAA Federal President, Michael Balk, on this week’s visit to Parliament house – advocating for a range of issues that impact members and the broader community. #PayUp #NationalCulturalPolicy #PressFreedom

The "blatant theft" of musicians' work by Big Tech must stop. "The only path forward is a genuine licensing conversation with the people whose work they have been using," said APRA AMCOS chief executive Mr Ormston this week. #PayUp meaa.io/4eBTomD

Hear from production designer Fiona Donovan on why we need strong protections for First Nations artists and their work so that it is not stolen by Big Tech. #PayUp Read more > meaa.io/payup