MEAA

01/09/2026

In a recent interview on Channel 31’s Laneway program, MEAA member Lachlan Bramble, reflected on the magic created when musicians, dancers and singers come together in the moment, responding to one another and creating something unique every single night.
As entertainment becomes increasingly digital, Lachlan reminds us why preserving live music matters:
“Live performance is our greatest creation as human beings.”
From the first notes of an orchestra tuning up to the energy shared between performers and audience, it's an experience that can't be replicated through technology.

01/09/2026

For the first time in decades, workers at Arts Centre Melbourne last week took protected industrial action, taking a stand for fair pay and secure working conditions. Nearly 40% of the workforce is paid at the minimum award rate, while wages have fallen behind the rising cost of living. Workers are united in calling for a fair deal and proper funding to protect the future of one of Victoria’s most important cultural institutions.
Read more: https://www.meaa.org/Public/Contents/NEWS_EVENT/Releases_Statements/arts_centre_melbourne_workers_vow_to_continue_campaign_for_fair_pay_and_proper_funding.aspx
Sign the petition now. meaa.io/ArtsCentre

01/09/2026

Double Bass player, professional musician and MEAA federal council member Chloe Williamson is speaking out about the reality facing many performers. Musicians should never be forced to take a pay cut to fund an entitlement that should already be provided. Musicians deserve to be paid superannuation on top of their performance fees.
Read more: https://meaa.io/462tXqs

31/08/2026

A moving moment at Hamer Hall as audiences demonstrated their support for Arts Centre Melbourne workers.
As MEAA, CSPU and ETU members returned from a 30-minute stop work, the applause from the audience was a powerful reminder that audiences value the people who make these cultural experiences possible.
Arts Centre Melbourne workers are standing up for fair pay, secure staffing and a sustainable future for one of Victoria's most important cultural institutions.
Sign the petition meaa.io/ArtsCentre

31/08/2026

Double Bass player, professional musician and MEAA federal council member Chloe Williamson is speaking out about the reality facing many performers. Musicians should never be forced to take a pay cut to fund an entitlement that should already be provided.

Read more: https://meaa.io/462tXqs

31/08/2026

MEAA member Michael Bachelard and special guests Emma Fulu (Equality Institute), Saffron Zomer (Australian Democracy Network) and Sherele Moody (Australian Femicide Watch) are presenting a Q&A Screening of SILENCED at Cinema Nova in Carlton on Sep 3rd.
SILENCED follows international human rights lawyer and free speech defender Jennifer Robinson's fight for survivors of gender-based violence to tell their story.

Find out more about the film and where it's showing near you: https://www.silenced-film.com/where-to-watch

29/08/2026

The growing use of recorded music in ballet productions risks normalising the reduction or replacement of live musicians across Australia's performing arts sector. Recent productions across the country have relied on recorded soundtracks rather than live musicians, raising concerns about both employment opportunities for musicians and the artistic connection between music and dance.

MEAA members are calling for greater transparency when recorded music is used and urging producers to support the use of live music as an essential part of the live performance experience.

Read more: https://limelight-arts.com.au/news/meaa-decries-use-of-recorded-music/

A recently launched Keep Music Live campaign calls on producers and publicly funded arts organisations to resist treating live music as an optional extra.

28/08/2026

A powerful and successful show of solidarity at Arts Centre Melbourne last night. MEAA members joined colleagues from CPSU and ETU in a 30-minute stop work action, sending a clear message that the dedicated workers behind Victoria’s premier cultural institution deserve pay and conditions that keep pace with the cost of living. Arts Centre Melbourne workers are committed to ensuring this treasured institution remains properly staffed, funded and able to deliver world-class cultural experiences for years to come.

Help us get to 2,000 signatures. Sign the petition now: meaa.io/ArtsCentre

28/08/2026

MEAA stands in solidarity with NTEU members at the University of Sydney who are striking on Wednesday 2 September in support of job security, quality of teaching and protection from AI mis-implementation for academic and professional staff. The picket line will be established from 7am, and we encourage MEAA members working at the Camperdown Campus not to cross the picket line unless necessary.

Find out more: https://meaa.io/4y5awt8

BARGAINING AT UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY It’s time to bargain for better workplaces and a better university. Through Enterprise Bargaining, staff at the University of Sydney, lead by NTEU members get a chance to negotiate for improvements to our workplace and working conditions. Our union negotiated Ent...

28/08/2026

Solidarity in action.
Union members from MEAA, CPSU and ETU who work at Arts Centre Melbourne were given a warm round of applause as they walked out of the building for a 30-minute stop work before the How to Train Your Dragon 2 in Concert MSO performance last night.

With 40% of workers on minimum wage, the 3% wage increase offer is in real terms a wage cut. The workers who keep the show running deserve a fair deal.

Sign the petition now: meaa.io/ArtsCentre