Speeches & Opinions 2009
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.
Recent Speeches & Opinions
Jeff Lawrence: Equality before the law is the heart of the matter
June 11, 2009
This new union agenda is about ensuring that workers & their families have a real say in getting Australia back on the road to economic recovery, and about the ACTU putting forward policies that make Australia a stronger and fairer nation.
Alison Tate: ILO Conference 2009 speech on climate change
June 9, 2009
Climate change is without question the policy challenge of our time. The scientific evidence is overwhelming. Human economic activity is causing global warming.
Jeff Lawrence: The Union Agenda for Working Australians
June 2, 2009
Delegates, friends and guests, the 2009 Congress is a time to set our goals and chart a course to achieve them. This is the first Congress since we got rid of the Howard Government. And that, in itself, is something to cheer.
Sharan Burrow: Unions: Delivering for all Working Australians
June 2, 2009
The union legacy of a better Australia has and will continue to be won by tenacious dedicated people committed to a set of values and our resolve can only strengthened by the lessons you can teach us about historic struggle for justice.
Jeff Lawrence: Unions step up plans for workers’ safety
May 22, 2009
Every death has a shattering impact on the lives of those left behind, and the death of Tim Haynes, a 28-year old plasterer at East Maitland last week is another tragic reminder that too many lives are being lost at work.
Sharan Burrow: Women’s contribution to work valued at last
May 12, 2009
What a wait it’s been. Thirty years after Australian women and unions first began campaigning for paid maternity leave, the Rudd Government has finally delivered.
Sharan Burrow: High rollers can’t shake addiction to casino capitalism
April 1, 2009
Predictions that 50 million people worldwide may lose their jobs this year could turn out to be optimistic. More than 200 million more workers could be pushed into extreme poverty.
Jeff Lawrence: Moving Forward: labour rights and the Fair Work Bill
March 30, 2009
After a long time of speaking about the new IR system that Australian workers and their families want, and an even longer time discussing what went wrong with WorkChoices – it is exciting to speak here today on the Fair Work Act.
Sharan Burrow: Green Jobs and Green Skills
March 4, 2009
How to achieve a low carbon economy must be seen as both an imperative and an opportunity. As we rebuild our economy from the financial crisis, we can set Australia up for a sustainable future.
Jeff Lawrence: Speech to the Australian Workers’ Union National Conference
February 4, 2009
During 2008 I said there were three priorities (1)dealing with the economic crisis: jobs (2) getting the best IR legislation we can (3) growing unions
Today I would like to talk about these priorities.
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