Save Spaces for Aussie Faces - Union Action AGAINST new Govt Policies

Recieved from the Alliance.org.au

Dear <sir>,
The Australian Government is proposing radical changes to the rules which ensure Australian actors can land lead roles in Australian productions.
The proposed changes could mean that; producers can give more actors from overseas lead roles in Australian films, and Australian TV series can import any performers they like.
Would Animal Kingdom have been the same without Jacki Weaver and Joel Edgerton? How about Muriel's Wedding without Toni Collette? Would Offspring be the same without Asher Keddie and Deborah Mailman? Rake without Richard Roxburgh?
This is the future of Australian film and television if the current proposals are implemented.
The Office for the Arts initially gave Equity just one week to respond to the drastic changes being proposed. After expressing our outrage at the cavalier way in which this issue was being treated, we now have until July 14 to respond.
Australian actors, this means you have less than one month to save your jobs and the future of your industry.
This is most serious threat performers have faced in decades.
What can you do?

• Visit our new website and get familiar with the issues and how they affect you http://www.aussiefaces.org.au
  
• Talk to your peers about the issue
  
• Attend Equity meetings (details to be advised)
  
• Sign the petition here http://www.aussiefaces.org.au/actions/petition-to-simon-crean
  
• Sign up to our Aussie Faces Facebook page to receive updates on the campaign.
  
• Write a letter to the Arts Minister
  
• Email us at aussiefaces@alliance.org.au if you are prepared to be involved
  
• Follow us on twitter @ausactorsequity and join the conversation with the #aussiefaces hashtag
  
• Send a video message of support to aussiefaces@alliance.org.au
  

Now is the time to stand together and fight to save spaces for Aussie faces.
Kind regards,

Simon Whipp
Equity Director