Actors Equity director, Simon Whipp, has announced his resignation, after 12 years in the position.
In a statement, the director said the decision to step down was not one he had taken lightly. "It has been an honour and a privelege every day to stand up for Australia's performers and campaign for their rights, but there comes a time when everyone must look for new challenges," he said.
A former copyright lawyer, Whipp joined the Media Arts & Entertainment Alliance as an industrial officer in 1994, before working his way through the ranks.
Last year, Whipp faced controversy after calls to unionise the production of The Hobbit saw filmmaker Peter Jackson threaten to shoot the film outside of New Zealand.
The director is also a strong supporter of the Save Spaces for Aussie Faces movement. Launched earlier this year, the campaign seeks to prevent the passing of a new draft of the Foreign Performer Certification Scheme, which would allow Australian producers to import more foreign performers for film and television productions.
Whipp's resignation will be effective from December 31.