Read speeches and opinion articles by ACTU officers and staff.
Our collection contains speeches delivered at conferences, forums, summits, rallies and events by Executive and senior ACTU staff. It also contains op eds – previously published in mainstream media – by the ACTU President, ACTU Secretary or ACTU Assistant Secretaries.
December 28, 2009
It is ironic that just at the same time as the rights of working Australians are set to again be improved, the Liberal Party is talking about taking us back to those dark days, writes ACTU President Sharan Burrow.
December 18, 2009
Progress is slow. Yesterday’s positioning by Africa on finance has become a possible deal as many nations including the US have now committed to both fast track or immediate funding from 2010 to 2013 and a $US100 billion by 2020.
December 18, 2009
On 18 December 2009, ACTU and International Trade Union Confederation President Sharan Burrow addressed the plenary of the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, attended by most world leaders. This is the text of her address.
December 17, 2009
Overnight there were some developments that set the scene for more serious engagement. China declared it would not seek access to global climate funds being negotiated for adaptation and mitigation in developing countries.
December 16, 2009
Anxiety, caution and pockets of distrust pose serious challenges for leaders to overcome. Yet it was always going to be the case that any agreement would depend on the political leaders to reach a deal.
December 16, 2009
Our mission is to make sure any global agreement includes reference to workers by locking in decent labour standards and good quality jobs as climate action kicks in: “A just transition” in conference parlance.
October 5, 2009
The German Federation of Trade Unions, the DGB, celebrating sixty years of strong collective action for the benefit of working people and of your nation are rightfully proud of their achievements.
October 1, 2009
Doing business in Burma is not only unethical but an unwise investment strategy and Australian companies who continue to make money from the corrupt regime should sever their ties, argues ACTU President Sharan Burrow.
September 24, 2009
Australian workers deserve the best in health and safety, not a compromise with employer lobby groups, says ACTU Secretary Jeff Lawrence.
September 21, 2009
Ahead of the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Pittsburgh, ACTU and ITUC President Sharan Burrow outlines the union movement’s plan for a stronger global economy.
