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
Sharan Burrow: The Future of Capitalism
May 30, 2010
ACTU and ITUC President Sharan Burrow spoke at the OECD Ministerial Forum in Paris on 28 May 2010 about the future of capitalism after the Global Financial Crisis.
Ged Kearney: ACTU Organising Conference speech
April 27, 2010
I want to see a whole shift in the way unions are recognised for the role we play in Australian society.
Jeff Lawrence: ACTU Organising Conference speech
April 27, 2010
A lot has changed in 3 short years since our last organising conference. Last time we met we were under the worst attack Australian workers had faced in a generation. This time we have an opportunity.
Sharan Burrow: ACTU Organising Conference speech
April 27, 2010
The strength of unions has come from the unity of people working together for a common cause based on shared values. Much of the best of Australia today has been shaped by union members and their families standing up for a better working life.
Geoff Fary: Safe Work Australia – Workers Compensations Forum
March 30, 2010
Nothing is more important to Australian Trade Unions than Occupational Health and Safety and Workers Compensation. Many of the rights, entitlements and obligations contained within the various jurisdictions throughout the country reflect years of union struggle and campaigning.
Jeff Lawrence: Backing battlers
March 21, 2010
As Fair Work Australia considers setting a new minimum wage in July, ACTU Secretary Jeff Lawrence says Australia’s low-paid deserve a decent rise.
Jeff Lawrence speech to National Press Club: Australian Unions – Working for a better life
March 17, 2010
ACTU Secretary Jeff Lawrence’s address to the National Press Club in Canberra on the need for a fair recovery from the economic downturn for all, and future challenges for Australian workers.
Sharan Burrow: Libs still hope the WorkChoices zombie can rise
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.
Sharan Burrow: Climate Change – Leaders Must “Go the Extra Distance”
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.
Sharan Burrow: Diary from Copenhagen 18.12.09
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.
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