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
Unions’ Telethon set to make 20,000 undecided voter calls
May 13, 2016
ACTU volunteers will be making 20,000 calls to voters across 34 marginal electorates this weekend, as Unions’ election campaign swings into full gear.
A PaTH to nowhere: Liberal Government’s jobs ‘plan’ in tatters
May 12, 2016
Barely eight days after it was announced, the Turnbull Government’s internship plan is in tatters, with employment law experts questioning the legality of its Youth Jobs PaTH program under the current legislative framework – potentially blowing a $478 million black hole in the budget.
Time to tackle inequality by raising the minimum wage
May 10, 2016
The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) will today continue its fight for a $30 a week increase to the minimum wage at the Fair Work Commission’s Annual Wage Review.
Government must address serious concerns with unravelling PaTH scheme
May 5, 2016
The ACTU is demanding Malcolm Turnbull and Michaelia Cash answer mounting questions relating to the PaTH internship program, unveiled in Tuesday’s budget.
Turnbull’s $4 an hour internships a worker exploitation scheme
May 4, 2016
The ACTU today warned that the PaTH internship program unveiled in yesterday’s budget not only poses a serious risk for young people and inexperienced workers, but could also undermine Australia’s entire wage system.
ACTU leads coalition of unions, social services, aid and environment groups
May 3, 2016
A coalition of civil society groups, led by ACTU President Ged Kearney and spanning the aid, women’s, environment and social service sectors, as well as unions, have come together to urge the Federal Government to deliver a Budget that protects the living standards of all Australians.
Paris Agreement a step forward, but Australia still a long way behind
April 22, 2016
The Australian Council of Trade Unions today welcomed Australia signing the Paris Agreement, but warned the Federal Government lacks a comprehensive approach to climate change or a plan for industry adjustment and jobs.
Senate right to vote down ABCC
April 19, 2016
The ACTU welcomes the Senate again rejecting the Government’s push to reinstate the ABCC.
Unemployment falls, but part time jobs on the rise
April 14, 2016
Monthly labour force figures released today by the ABS reveal that while unemployment fell in March, this improvement is off the back of an increase in part-time work.
Two million workers need $30 week increase to avoid US-style working poor
March 31, 2016
The Australian Council of Trade Unions is calling for a $30 a week increase in the minimum wage to $686.90 per week or $18.08 per hour.