Speeches & Opinions
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
Ged Kearney: Collaborative Industrial Relations: Australia’s Future or Another Pipe Dream
August 27, 2010
I do believe in the power of collaboration as a mechanism for positive change. At the end of the election – whoever forms Government – we now have a consensus on IR that provides a foundation for collaboration in workplace policy going forward.
Ged Kearney: Don’t buy Abbott’s conversion on WorkChoices
August 10, 2010
It is absolutely appalling that so far into the election campaign, Abbott is refusing to release an industrial relations policy or honestly tell the public what he has planned.
Ged Kearney: launch of 2010 Australian Work and Life Index
August 3, 2010
The Australian Work and Life Index is a valuable contribution to national debate about what is one of the most pressing issues confronting all workers: how to balance work with family and leisure.
Ged Kearney: speech to AMWU National Conference
July 28, 2010
I don’t think your union gets enough credit from our politicians or the community for the valuable work it does in protecting jobs in Australia and continuing to fight for the survival and evolution of our important industries.
PM Julia Gillard: speech to Sharan Burrow farewell dinner
July 20, 2010
Friends, it’s a great honour to join you tonight to pay tribute to a great leader of the Australian labour movement, Sharan Burrow.
Sharan Burrow: Speech to farewell dinner
July 20, 2010
I can honestly say that never in my wildest dreams when I first began as a union organiser all those years ago did I ever imagine I would one day be heading the global union movement.
Sharan Burrow: Acceptance speech to ITUC Congress
June 25, 2010
I am incredibly honoured and extremely privileged to be elected as General Secretary of the ITUC. The ITUC is without question the pre-eminent voice for the rights of working people, for justice, peace and democracy.
Sharan Burrow: Opening speech to ITUC 2nd World Congress
June 22, 2010
Four years ago we met and took an historic decision to build a new international organisation a new internationalism. Delegates came to Vienna give birth to the ITUC; to strengthened global unionism.
Sharan Burrow: Paid parental leave is an historic achievement and a lasting legacy
June 21, 2010
I’m proud that Australian unions – in partnership with so many other women from our community – have stood together and delivered paid parental leave after 30 years.
Sharan Burrow: Address to ILO Cyclical Review 2010
June 3, 2010
ACTU and ITUC President Sharan Burrow addressed the International Labour Organisation’s Cyclical Review in Geneva on 2 June 2010 on trends and challenges in promoting full, decent and productive employment in the context of shaping a fair globalisation.
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