MEAA Media Room


ACM Staff Demand Transparency and Independent Reporting after Catalano Allegations

March 18, 2026 Phill Lappin MediaRoom Other statements Releases

Statement sent to by ACM MEAA Members to ACM Editorial Director Rod Quinn.

MEAA members at Australian Community Media (ACM) have endorsed a vote of no confidence in Antony Catalano.

We are disgusted and sickened about the allegations and welcome his forced leave of absence as Executive Chair of the Board.

However, this does not go far enough.

We cannot sit by while we ...

MEAA submission – Inquiry into arts and cultural philanthropy

March 5, 2026 Phill Lappin MediaRoom Submissions

MEAA submission to the Committee on Communications, the Arts, and Sport inquiry into Arts and Cultural Philanthropy.

If governments are serious about sustaining a vibrant, inclusive and democratically grounded cultural life, the solution lies not in deepening philanthropic dependence through tax incentives, but in renewing a commitment to public support for the arts.

...

MEAA Submission – Closing Loopholes Review

March 5, 2026 Phill Lappin MediaRoom Submissions

MEAA endorses the submission of the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) and makes the following supplementary remarks.

MEAA supported the key reforms contained in the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing Loopholes) Act 2023 and the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing Loopholes No. 2) Act 2024 (collectively the Closing Loopholes Acts), including introducing a new employee pathway for eligible casual employees ...

MEAA Submission – NES Review

March 5, 2026 Phill Lappin MediaRoom Submissions

MEAA submission to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Employment, Workplace Relations, Skills and Training Inquiry into the Operation and Adequacy of the National Employment Standards (NES).

Many creative and media workers are engaged as independent contractors rather than employees. Consequently, they are denied the protection of a minimum safety net provided by the NES.

MEAA endorses the submission of the ...

MEAA Submission – Inquiry into the State of Live Music in New South Wales

March 3, 2026 Phill Lappin MediaRoom Submissions

Australia’s music industry is in crisis. While large international conglomerates like Spotify and Live Nation extract substantial profits from the Australian live and recorded music industries, most musicians earn below minimum wage. Underpayment, wage theft, insecurity, and harassment are widespread in the industry. At the same time, emerging technologies – including generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) and virtual live music synthetisers ...