Media Releases 2021
Read current and past media statements from the ACTU.
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
COVID-19 vaccines: community groups urge Trade Minister to deliver on waiving monopolies at WTO
September 14, 2021
Following months of campaigning, Australian civil society organisations last week welcomed the comments from Trade Minister Dan Tehan that the Australian Government now supports the temporary waiver of monopoly rules on COVID-19 vaccines, treatments and related products proposed by India and South Africa at the World Trade Organisation (WTO). The waiver is key to supporting equitable and affordable access to vaccines for developing countries and has the potential to save millions of lives.
Casual workers lose rights as Morrison Government’s changes hit Awards
September 13, 2021
The Fair Work Commission has implemented the Morrison Government’s changes to casual employment outlined in the IR Omnibus Bill leaving many casual workers worse off.
ACTU launches national vaccination campaign
September 7, 2021
The ACTU is launching a national ad campaign to encourage Australians to get vaccinated to support essential workers and those who have lost their jobs because of the pandemic.
Morrison continues to choose talk over actions
September 7, 2021
The National Summit on Women’s Safety has concluded without the Morrison Government committing to enact all 55 recommendations of the Respect@Work report, or legislate for 10 days paid Family and Domestic Violence leave.
Not one voice representing working women at Summit.
September 6, 2021
The Morrison Government’s National Summit on Women’s Safety boast representatives from business and the law, but not one representative of working women on any panel over the two days, despite the workplace and financial security being on the agenda.
Morrison Government sets stage for Women’s Safety Summit by gutting Respect@Work Report
September 2, 2021
Days away from the National Summit on Women’s Safety, the centre piece of the Morrison Government’s attempt to reduce sexual harassment and violence against women, the Government has voted in the house to ignore key recommendations of the Respect@Work report, voting down the substantive changes that would improve safety for women in workplaces.
Vale John Coombs
September 1, 2021
The hearts of trade unionists across Australia are heavy today as we mourn the passing of John Coombs, MUA National Secretary from 1993 until his retirement in 2000.
Morrison Government blocks stronger workplace harassment laws
September 1, 2021
The Morrison Government and One Nation have today voted against key structural workplace changes recommended by the Respect@Work report, ensuring that the burden is still on individual women to enter complex and lengthy complaints processes to resolve instances of sexual harassment and violence in the workplace at their own cost and risk.
GDP bump hides grim reality
September 1, 2021
GDP data released today by the ABS covers the quarter prior to the Sydney lockdown and therefore does not reflect the current situation facing workers there, as well as in Victoria and the ACT, who are all facing ongoing lockdowns with no JobKeeper support to keep them connected to employment.
Equal Pay Day highlights the yawning gap between women and men’s wages.
August 31, 2021
31st August is Equal Pay Day – the conclusion of the 61 additional days after the end of financial year that women must work to earn the same as their male counterparts, based on the national average. However according to an ACTU analysis, in ten industries, women have to work as much as double that national average to make the same as men.
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