The Alliance has welcomed the recent announcement by the Minister for the Arts Peter Garrett about the creation of the ArtStart program, which will offer one-off grants to help graduates start a business as professional artists. The $9.6m program, to be administered by the Australia Council, is being designed for musicians, visual artists, filmmakers and actors. The first grant round will be advertised in late 2009.

The Federal Government is conducting a comprehensive review of Australia's tax system to “consider measures to harmonise and simplify taxes, reduce inefficient taxes.” The Alliance has written a submission detailing possible changes that would benefit all members. See it here.

A delegation of Alliance representatives including performers Roy Billing, Corinne Grant, Tina Bursill and federal president Patti Amphlett were in Canberra this week to meet with MPs - including Stephen Conroy, Peter Garrett, Joe Hockey, Maxine McKew, Bob Debus and Barnaby Joyce - and lobby for a much-needed funding boost for the ABC and SBS.

Alliance members working on Buddy!The Buddy Holly Story at Sydney’s Lyric Theatre from February, will receive improved rates and conditions after refusing to accept the producers’ original offer which was not in line with Alliance minimums. We will be continuing to work with members to see fair contracts offered on all commercial musicals in 2009. To find out more about the campaign contact Martin Cubby on 02 9333 0938 or email martin.cubby@alliance.org.au

A recent decision delivered by the High Court could potentially pave the way for Alliance members to seek additional superannuation payments they may not have thought they were previously entitled to. You may have a case if you worked for the Commonwealth and were denied access to the Commonwealth Superannuation Scheme.

After months of negotiations and hard work from delegates, a collective agreement for Sydney's Company B, who this week scored a Helpmann Theatre Award for their hit musical Keating!, is close to being finalised. Pay parity, a company principle important to members (all crew, front of house and administration staff receive the same hourly rate of pay) will remain.