Current Campaigns

Not since 1994 with the ‘Creative Nation’ policy has there been a concerted effort by a Commonwealth government to create a national cultural policy and NAVA commends the Arts Minister for his commitment and vision.

NAVA has been lobbying for a number of changes to the way artists are treated under the social security system. Its “ArtStart” proposals to government include the recognition of being an artist as a profession with the support of appropriately trained caseworkers to assist them to seek relevant work opportunities, provision of specialist NEIS training and access to appropriate Work for the Dole work experience.

Read NAVA’s election proposals for changes to social security

With other arts sector bodies, NAVA is lobbying for the introduction of Indigenous Communal Moral Rights legislation which was promised for introduction in 2005, but is still yet to be implimented. This legislation would ensure the right of appropriate attribution and protection against derogatory treatment of Indigenous communities' traditional knowledge, which finds expression in cultural works and forms.

In 2002 the Australian government proposed the introduction of Non-Commercial Losses (Division 35) legislation, intended to prevent hobby farmers from making illegitimate tax claims. However it became apparent as an unintended consequence, that most artists would be unable to claim their art practice expenses because they would not meet the exemption criteria.

Current Status: 26/11/09
Resale Royalty Right for Visual Artists Bill 2008 has just been passed through the Senate.

After twenty years of lobbying NAVA welcomes this Bill in principle.

To read NAVA's complete response click here

To find out more information about how Resale Royalty will work in Australia click here

Currently the Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) is undertaking the task of developing a national arts curriculum from Kindergarten to Year 12. NAVA's Executive Director has been invited to be a member of the reference group to support ACARA's work.

In response to the announcement by the Attorney-General Phillip Ruddock that the government will not make the changes to sedition laws recommended by the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC), NAVA has joined with others in the legal, arts and media sectors to demand changes needed to guarantee freedom of expression. Our concern is especially for artists and other creators however, this principle applies for all Australians.

Following a meeting of representatives across all sectors, a co-ordinated response was agreed. Go to the NAVA blog and join us in demanding the changes recommended by the ALRC to remove the title “Sedition” and to draw a clear distinction between legitimate comment,critique and dissent and the intentional urging of genuine terrorist activity

Read the ALRC's report: "Fighting Words: A Review of Sedition Laws in Australia"