Media Releases
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
Statement from ACTU President Ged Kearney on National Job and Skills Summit
March 17, 2017
Australian Unions welcome the ALP’s focus on jobs and skills training, and congratulate Bill Shorten for taking a proactive approach to this key area of economic policy that has been comprehensively mishandled by the Liberal Government, leaving a range of challenges that must be urgently addressed.
Statement from Australian Council of Trade Unions Secretary Sally McManus
March 16, 2017
Australia has been built by working people who have had the courage to stand up to unfair and unjust rules and demand something better.
Sally McManus Elected Secretary of the Australian Council of Trade Unions
March 15, 2017
The Australian Council of Trade Unions’ (ACTU) Executive has elected Sally McManus as the new Secretary.
Sally is the 10th elected ACTU Secretary in the organisation’s 90-year history and the first woman to hold the prestigious position. She fills the role vacated by former Secretary Dave Oliver, who left the ACTU in January. Sally was previously an ACTU vice president.
Government, Unions and Power Station Operators reach agreement on historic Latrobe Valley Worker Transfer Scheme
March 10, 2017
The Latrobe Valley Worker Transfer Scheme announced today by the Andrews Labor Government represents a great step forward for the people of the Valley, the 150 workers and their families. For the last 5 months, the ACTU has been advocating for a multiemployer worker transfer scheme in order to deliver a Just Transition for Hazelwood workers and for power sector workers and their communities across Australia.
Penalty rate decision opens door for pay cuts in nursing, teaching and other sectors
March 10, 2017
Nurses, teachers, cleaners, community, social, disability and construction workers are all at risk of having their penalty rates cut following the recent Fair Work Commission (FWC) decision.
Turnbull Government punishing women for daring to ask for a working life
March 8, 2017
The Turnbull Government is penalising working women with harsh policies that are gross infringements on women’s workforce participation.
Ged Kearney and Anne Summers present at Women’s Rights at Work (WRAW) International Women’s Day Breakfast
March 7, 2017
ACTU President Ged Kearney will respond to celebrated feminist and activist Anne Summers’ presentation at the Summers Breakfast tomorrow to mark International Women’s Day.
Majority of Australians support higher Sunday penalty rates: new poll
February 24, 2017
A new poll released today shows the majority of Australians think there is a difference between Saturday
and Sunday, and people who work on a Sunday should get higher pay rates than those who work on a
Saturday.
Prime Minister must act to protect workers from drastic penalty rate and public holiday pay cuts
February 23, 2017
The following statement is attributable to ACTU President Ged Kearney:
The Fair Work Commission’s (FWC) decision to radically cut Sunday and public holiday pay will give almost one million Australian workers a huge pay cut.
Insight Latrobe Valley report shows need for Just Transition Authority
February 22, 2017
Statement from ACTU President Ged Kearney:
Last night’s Insight report on SBS about the closure of the Hazelwood Power Station in the Latrobe Valley shows the immediate and vast consequences of industries being closed at short notice with no plan in place to protect workers, their families or their communities.