Media Releases 2020



Read current and past media statements from the ACTU.

You can also keep track of ACTU media releases by following the official ACTU feed on Twitter at @unionsaustralia.




All ACTU media enquiries should be directed to ACTU Media team:




T: 03 9664 7315 (24 hours)
E: media@actu.org.au


Recent Media Releases

JobMaker follows trend: poorly designed, unable to deliver

October 27, 2020

The Government’s admission in senate estimates that the JobMaker scheme will only create 45,000 of the 450,000 jobs announced in the budget will not surprise Australian workers.

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Unemployment increases as Morrison pulls support

October 15, 2020

Unemployment has climbed again to 6.9 per cent, with youth unemployment at 14.5 per cent and 11.4 per cent of working people underemployed according to data released this morning by the ABS. 29,500 people lost jobs in the last month.

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183 deaths at work in 2019, first increase in more than a decade

October 12, 2020

Data released today by Safe Work Australia tracking workplace injuries and fatalities in 2019 shows the rate of workplace deaths increasing for the first time since 2007 as the Morrison Government continues to drag its feet on work health and safety reform.

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Test of budget to come: will jobs be saved and secure jobs created?

October 6, 2020

The test of this budget is whether current jobs are protected, and whether it delivers secure jobs fast to protect workers from the economic impact of the pandemic.

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Government cuts support to 3.5 million

September 27, 2020

Cutting JobKeeper from $1500 a fortnight to $1200 for full time workers and to $750 for part time workers will put significant financial strain on millions of workers who are reliant on the wage subsidy for income while the economy is still shut down.

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National Skills Commission must do better and deliver for workers

September 25, 2020

The ACTU notes the official appointment of Adam Boyton as the National Skills Commissioner, and hopes that under his leadership this new commission will clear the low bar set by recent efforts at federally coordinated skills training and actually deliver funding and results for workers.

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Morrison rips support from workers in midst of crisis

September 25, 2020

More than a million people who have been able to escape poverty for the first time in years thanks to the coronavirus supplement addition to income support payments will be $300 a fortnight worse off from today.

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Statement from ACTU Secretary Sally McManus on the IR working groups

September 24, 2020

As has been reported today, the IR working groups process has entered a new phase of bilateral meetings between the various parties and the Morrison Government.

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Vale Peter Simpson

September 24, 2020

The trade union movement is mourning the passing of Peter (Simmo) Simpson, 57, who died this morning after a brave fight with Stage IV Metastatic Melanoma.

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Qantas workers win thousands in backpay after court backs JobKeeper claim

September 24, 2020

Qantas workers can expect to receive significant backpay after a court agreed that Qantas had not correctly applied the JobKeeper wage subsidy.

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The ACTU Network

Australian Unions

Whether you want to join a union, take action in campaigns, or make the most of the benefits of being a union member, Australian Unions is the place to go for information and resources.
Visit Australian Unions

Mind Your Head

We’re taking action to protect workplace mental health.
Visit Mind Your Head

Worksite

Your rights at work for students and for people entering the workforce for the first time.
Visit Worksite

OHS

Information and resources for health and safety representatives and workers about how to speak up at work for health and safety.
Visit OHS

Union Aid Abroad

Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA is the overseas aid and development agency of the ACTU. Our work aims to build self-reliance through support to educational and training projects for workers and their organisations in the developing world.
Visit Union Aid Abroad

ACTU National Union Directory

Find who you are looking for from the who’s who of the union movement.
Visit the ACTU National Union Dictionary
Australian Council of Trade Unions

Representing Australian workers and their families.