Media Releases

Read current and past media statements from the ACTU.

You can also keep track of ACTU media releases by following the official ACTU feed on Twitter at @unionsaustralia.


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

ACTU welcomes steady unemployment rate

September 14, 2023

Labour market figures released today show that unemployment rate remains steady at 3.7% with around…

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Workers defeat Qantas: High Court confirms sackings were illegal

September 13, 2023

In a massive win for union members, the High Court of Australia today ruled that…

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National Accounts reinforces we must close the loopholes to get wages moving

September 6, 2023

New data from the ABS today reported the Australian economy has grown by 0.4 per…

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End of Philip Lowe’s term as RBA governor offers an opportunity for change in direction

September 5, 2023

The elevation of Michele Bullock as RBA governor from the 18th of September provides an opportunity for the RBA to prioritise its outlined objective of full employment.

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Joyce taking off, needs to take his baggage with him

September 4, 2023

The ACTU welcomes the news that Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce has decided to step…

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Employer role in paid parental leave is crucial

September 4, 2023

Yesterday saw pushback from several employer representative groups over the employer’s role in payments for paid parental leave in a report tabled by the Senate Education and Employment References Committee

The ACTU has significant concerns about the recommendations made by the report, which include that the Paid Parental Leave Act 2010 be amended so that small businesses do not need to pay Parental Leave Pay instalments directly to their workers unless they opt to do so.

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Industry super funds outperform profits super funds yet again

August 31, 2023

The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has today released the results of the 2023 superannuation…

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Harvey Norman records over a billion in profits whilst pushing pay cuts for working people

August 31, 2023

Harvey Norman will be sitting comfortably today after posting pre-tax profits of $1.13 billion for…

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Union movement to mobilise for Voice referendum

August 30, 2023

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has today announced that the date for the Indigenous Voice to…

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It’s (Un)Equal Pay Day

August 25, 2023

The average woman in Australia effectively works an extra 56 days of the year to earn the same as the average man.

Today marks Equal Pay Day, a symbolic day dedicated to raising awareness of the gender pay gap.

The gender pay gap is the difference between the average earnings for men and women, expressed as a percentage of men’s average earnings.

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Qantas profits are sky high

August 24, 2023

Qantas profits have soared the last financial year to a pretax profit of $2.5 billion ($1.7 billion post tax)

Qantas’s profit margins have been supported by growing demand for domestic and international flights, higher airfare prices and lower operating costs.

Qantas received billions of dollars of government funding during the pandemic and over the same time were found by the federal court to have illegally sacked 1700 workers.

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Coles announce $1.098 Billion total profit, up 4.8% on back of higher prices, while cost of living hits Australians

August 22, 2023

It’s a good day for Coles who announced a $1.098 Billion in total profits, with Woolworth due to announce their profits tomorrow.

In its release today, Coles has noted it has increased its gross margins in supermarket and liquor divisions.

Coles and Woolworths control two thirds of the supermarket sector, creating a chokehold over the prices we pay for essentials at the tills.

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IAG see net profits soar a startling 140% while Aussies suffer insurance billshock

August 21, 2023

Australia top general insurer posted a net profit after tax of $832 million, up 140%…

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Origin Energy profits up by 83.5% whilst workers struggle to cover basics

August 17, 2023

Origin Energy, one of Australians biggest energy providers has today announced a surge in profits…

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 Fair Work Commission hears first application for Multi-Employer Bargaining

August 16, 2023

WHEN: 9am Wednesday 16 August 2023 WHERE: Fair Work Commission, 11 Exhibition St, Melbourne WHAT:…

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Unions welcome the full establishment of Jobs and Skills Australia 

August 9, 2023

The ACTU welcomes the new Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) bill which has also been…

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Professor Allan Fels to chair ACTU price gouging inquiry

August 9, 2023

The ACTU has committed to undertake an inquiry into price gouging by big business in…

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Strong public support for workplace changes, despite concerted business campaign

August 1, 2023

The ACTU today has released polling by Essential Research showing very strong support for the…

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RBA rates on hold. Workers shouldn’t pay the price for corporate greed

August 1, 2023

The ACTU welcomes the Reserve Bank of Australia’s decision to hold the cash rate at…

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New US study shows further evidence of the fatal impact of engineered stone

July 27, 2023

New US study shows further evidence of the fatal impact of engineered stone The ACTU…

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ACTU calls for pause on rates as CPI below expectations

July 26, 2023

Today’s CPI figures show inflation is slowing to 6.0 per cent year on year, according…

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Rugby League Players Association address ACTU for the first time

July 25, 2023

The Rugby League Players Association addressed the ACTU for the first time in their fight…

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Australian workers deserve reliable incomes. Minister Burke’s speech welcomed.

July 24, 2023

The ACTU welcomes Minister Burke’s speech to the Sydney Institute today where he foreshadowed legislation…

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Death of food delivery rider shows why reform is needed  

July 24, 2023

The Union movement extends its thoughts to the loved ones of food delivery rider who…

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ACTU welcomes release of Government’s new Wellbeing Framework

July 21, 2023

The ACTU today welcomes Australia’s first ever national wellbeing framework “Measuring what matters”. The framework…

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ACTU welcomes steady unemployment rate

July 20, 2023

Labour market figures release today show that unemployment rate was steady to 3.5% with an…

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ACTU welcomes Michele Bullock as new RBA Governor  

July 14, 2023

The ACTU welcomes the appointment of Michele Bullock as the new RBA Governor.   Michele Bullock…

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ACTU calls out Jeff Kennett on pay cuts for WFH workers 

July 12, 2023

The ACTU has called out former Victorian premier Jeff Kennett’s suggestion that staff working from…

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ACTU welcomes pause on interest rates

July 4, 2023

The ACTU welcomes the Reserve Bank of Australia’s decision to hold the cash rate at 4.1%, but warns that the rate pause today is small comfort to workers bearing the brunt of inflation and low wage growth over the last decade.

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Boost to workers pay packets as wages increases kick in

June 30, 2023

From 1 July 2.67 million Australian workers will strata to see a boost to their pay packet thanks to
minimum wage and award wage decision by the Fair Work Commission argued and campaigned for by
unions. These increases apply from an employee’s first full pay period starting on or after 1 July 2023

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PALM reforms key to protecting Pacific farm workers

June 27, 2023

Today’s shocking media reports of the exploitation of migrant workers make the Albanese Governments improvements to the Pacific Australian Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme even more important.

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Statement from the ACTU on the passing of Simon Crean

June 25, 2023

The trade union movement is mourning the passing of Simon Crean 74, who died suddenly whilst in Europe on Sunday.

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Protecting Worker Entitlements Bill: A big step forward to fairer workplaces

June 22, 2023

The ACTU welcomes the passing of the Fair Work Amendment (Protecting worker entitlements) Bill 2023.

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ACTU welcomes new National Registry for respiratory diseases but more to be done

June 21, 2023

The Albanese Government has introduced legislation that will capture, record and share the causes of deadly occupational respiratory diseases like silicosis.

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Unemployment down but more workers are doing it tough

June 15, 2023

Labour market figures released today show employment is steadily rising, up by 0.5% in the past month, with both full-time employment and part time employment on the increase.

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Government ratifies ILO Conventions to eliminate violence and harassment at work and child labour

June 14, 2023

The Albanese Government has ratified two ILO (International Labour Organisation) Conventions at the International Labour Organisation during its annual ILO Conference.

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Blaming workers for rate rises is lazy and cruel, says ACTU

June 7, 2023

The ACTU has today called out the Liberal opposition and the business lobby groups for trying to blame workers for inflation.

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Economy Slows, Workers’ Troubles Deepen

June 7, 2023

New data released from the ABS today reported that the Australian economy is continuing to slow, with GDP growth falling to 0.2% for the March quarter and 2.3% for the year, under the weight of sustained interest rate rises from the RBA.

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New employment legislation reflects modern Australian workplaces

June 6, 2023

The bargaining reforms legislated in the Secure Jobs, Better Pay Act start today.

Workers and their unions will be able to pursue higher wages to support their members through a cost-of-living crisis, with the changes to bargaining laws allowing unions to bargain for agreements that will apply to several employers, in what is known as multi-employer bargaining.

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Working people being hit by profit-price spiral

June 6, 2023

Today’s interest rate hike of 25 basis points to 4.1% will be a real hit to workers’ ability to keep their heads above water.

This hit will just hurt families purchasing power.

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Unions welcome additional protections for migrant workers

June 5, 2023

Today’s announcement that the Albanese Government will begin to tackle the systemic and widespread exploitation of migrant workers in Australia is an important step forward. Drivers of exploitation include temporary visa conditions that tie workers to single employers, no protection or guarantee that workers reporting workplace exploitation will not face deportation and weak regulation and enforcement.

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Qantas cabin crew employed by 14 companies

June 5, 2023

ACTU research has mapped the extensive use of labour hire companies by Qantas to drive down the wages and rights of Australian workers.

The research shows that Qantas has split its cabin crew workforce across 14 companies and contractors to drive down wages and conditions so they can post billions in profits, whilst workers struggle with the cost of living.

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Lowest paid workers need a lifeline as inflation up again

May 31, 2023

Figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics today show that after three months of steady decline, inflation has again jumped – to 6.8% in the 12 months to April 2023. Over the 12 months to March 2023, inflation rose by 6.3%, so today’s figures reveal a rise of 0.5%.

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Time to close labour-hire loopholes and restore fairness

May 29, 2023

Big business is outsourcing labour in Australia at rapidly rising rates, undermining wages, job security and conditions in all industries. The practice is rife in aviation, mining, manufacturing and transport, as well as hospitality, agriculture, meat processing, security and cleaning.

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Explosion in sham contracting shows reform needed to protect all workers

May 25, 2023

The number of workers on sham or “dependent” contracting is at record highs, and now outnumbers genuinely independent contractors for the first time, new research by the ACTU shows.

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Cambodia: Casino Union Leader Chhim Sithar and Strikers Convicted

May 25, 2023

Chhim Sithar Sentenced to Two Years; Eight Others Receive Up to One and a Half Years

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Record Qantas profit paid for by workers and the public

May 23, 2023

Qantas announced this afternoon it is set to post a record $2.48 billion full-year profit for the
2023 financial year.

The Guardian reports that this forecast is almost $1 billion higher than the airline’s previous
profit record of $1.6 billion in 2018

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Casual workers earn $11.59 less per hour than permanent employees

May 22, 2023

Casual workers are falling further behind their permanently employed counterparts, new research by the ACTU shows.

Across the board, casual employees earn $11.59 less per hour than their permanent counterparts: $28.95 per hour versus $40.54. This is a pay gap of 28.6% which has been growing steadily since 2016 and is now the highest on record.

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Casual workers earn $11.59 less per hour than permanent employees

May 22, 2023

Casual workers are falling further behind their permanently employed counterparts, new research by the ACTU shows.

Across the board, casual employees earn $11.59 less per hour than their permanent counterparts: $28.95 per hour versus $40.54. This is a pay gap of 28.6% which has been growing steadily since 2016 and is now the highest on record.

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Rising unemployment sounds warning to Reserve Bank

May 18, 2023

Labour market figures released today show unemployment is rising steadily: from 3.5% in March (later revised up to 3.6%) and now to 3.7% in April.

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Wages growth under way but still lagging cost of living

May 17, 2023

As the Fair Work Commission holds its hearing of the Annual Wage Review today, Wage Price Index figures released today show wages growth is 3.7% for the year to March 23, up from 3.3% for the year to December 2022.

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Budget acts on wages, health, energy transition and cost of living

May 9, 2023

The Albanese Government has taken another step towards delivering on its mandate to get wages moving for working people and to provide cost-of-living relief.

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We have a Right to Know! The Rotterdam Convention must be modernised to protect human health and the environment.

May 9, 2023

The Rotterdam Convention again remains paralysed by the tactics of Industry and a small group of countries, that block the listing of highly hazardous chemicals and pesticides, including chrysotile asbestos, that cause death and significant harm to human health and the environment.

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Important extension of support for single parents welcome

May 8, 2023

The ACTU welcomes today’s announcement that the Labor Government will raise the age cut-off for the Parenting Payment (Single) from 8 to 14.

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Tax change to compel gas giants to pay fair share

May 7, 2023

The ACTU welcomes changes to the Petroleum Resource Rent Tax (PRRT) announced this morning that will raise $2.4 billion by closing loopholes on offshore liquefied natural gas projects.

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New National Net Zero Authority a win for workers and climate

May 5, 2023

The ACTU welcomes the Federal Government’s announcement today of a new National Net Zero Authority to support workers and their communities and to deliver a just transition to a net zero emissions economy.

The new Authority will help maximise the benefits and minimise the risks of Australia’s energy transition, driving the creation of good jobs in new industries and ensuring no worker or community is left behind.

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Would you like fines with that? McDonald’s franchisee admits to union busting

May 4, 2023

The McDonald’s franchisee in Murray Bridge, South Australia, has admitted to unlawfully discouraging workers from joining their union and paid a penalty of $275,000.

The SDA, the union which brought the case, believes it is a world-first that a McDonald’s franchise has admitted to engaging in an unlawful campaign to deunionise its workforce.

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New payday rule to help stamp out failure to pay super

May 2, 2023

The union movement welcomes the Federal Government’s announcement today that superannuation is to be paid on the same day as wages.

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Liddell closure underlines need for National Energy Transition Authority

April 28, 2023

As the Liddell Power Station in Muswellbrook, NSW, closes its doors today after 50 years in service, the ACTU acknowledges the impacted workers, their families and communities, and again calls for a National Energy Transition Authority to ensure no one is left behind in the nation’s transition to net zero emissions.

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Remember the dead, fight like hell for the living

April 28, 2023

Every year on April 28, the trade union movement unites around the world to mark International Workers’ Memorial Day. We mourn those who have died at work or because of their work, and we fight like hell for the living.

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ACTU 7% wage claim strengthened by new research

April 27, 2023

The ACTU has reaffirmed its call for the Fair Work Commission to raise minimum and award wages
by 7% in its reply submission to the Annual Wage Review filed this week

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Passport to progress: A better, fairer approach to migration

April 27, 2023

The ACTU welcomes the reforms of the migration system outlined by Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil today.

In our submissions to the Review of Australia’s Migration System, the ACTU called for a shift away from short-term visas back towards permanent migration; to integrate migration with our skills and workforce planning systems; to engineer exploitation out of the system; and for a tripartite system that engages employers and unions in line with international best practice.

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Rana Plaza 10 years on: The human cost of fashion

April 24, 2023

On April 24 2013, the eight-storey Rana Plaza building housing 5 garment factories in Dhaka, Bangladesh, collapsed, crushing 1134 workers to death and injuring more than 2500.

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Calls intensify for ban on lethal engineered stone

April 20, 2023

In submissions to Safe Work Australia made public today, unions, along with medical professionals and health and safety experts, have amplified their call for a full ban on all engineered stone products that contain deadly silica.

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Reserve Bank review heads in the right direction

April 20, 2023

The ACTU welcomes the review of the Reserve Bank of Australia, which calls for it to have a stronger focus on its full employment goal, and the need to have labour market expertise on its board.

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Prioritising removal of asbestos still needed to tackle mesothelioma

April 4, 2023

The latest Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report into mesothelioma was released today.

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Restoring balance begins at Fair Work Commission

March 31, 2023

The ACTU welcomes the appointment of five new commissioners to the Fair Work Commission, a first step in rebalancing the Commission.

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ACTU calls for 7% increase to minimum wages

March 30, 2023

The ACTU announced today it will seek a 7% increase for Australia’s minimum and award wages as part of its submission to the Annual Wage Review.

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Federal Budget must deliver National Energy Transition Authority, says ACTU

March 28, 2023

In a speech at the National Press Club today, ACTU President Michele O’Neil says a National Energy Transition Authority (NETA) is the missing piece in Australia’s climate and energy policy, and must be delivered in the May budget.

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2023-24 Federal Budget could shape Australia’s future in the global energy transition

March 15, 2023

The Business Council of Australia, Australian Council of Trade Unions, World Wide Fund for Nature-Australia and the Australian Conservation Foundation are re-joining forces to represent Australian businesses, workers, and our environment in a joint submission to the 2023-24 Federal Budget.

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Unions celebrate 10 wins for women on International Women’s Day

March 8, 2023

Union members have won significant changes to improve the lives of women at work since last International Women’s Day. While we know there’s more to do to close the gender pay gap and achieve full gender equality at work, Australian unions are proud to have seen the result of decades of campaigning by union members in just one year.

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Stop interest rate rises as working people struggle to stay afloat

March 7, 2023

The ACTU calls on the RBA Board to halt interest rate rises at its meeting today.

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RBA makes wrong call on 10th straight rate rise

March 7, 2023

The ACTU calls on the RBA Board to stop hurting workers with interest rate rises after its 10th consecutive interest rate rise today.

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RBA and big business bleed household savings dry

March 1, 2023

The RBA and big business are pushing workers and the economy closer to a cliff edge, today’s National Accounts figures show.

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Big step forward in campaign for protections from silicosis

February 28, 2023

Workers suffering from deadly silicosis today welcomed a major step forward in their campaign to commence consultation and analysis in the introduction of a ban on the use of engineered stone products.

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Profits, not wages are pushing up inflation

February 24, 2023

New research from Australia Institute economist Dr Jim Stanford has confirmed that excessive corporate profits are the main driver of inflation, not wages.

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Narrowing gender pay gap provides little relief to Australia’s women

February 23, 2023

While figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) showing that Australia’s gender pay gap is narrowing are welcome, women still receive, on average, $255 per week less than men.

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ACTU calls for end to rate rises and focus on full employment as labour market deteriorates

February 16, 2023

Today’s labour market figures clearly demonstrate that Australian workers are going backwards, and that both the Federal Government and Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) need to adopt a sharper focus on maintaining full employment.

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ACTU welcomes the appointment of Adam Hatcher as the new Fair Work Commission President

February 10, 2023

The ACTU welcomes the appointment of Adam Hatcher SC as the new President of the Fair Work Commission.

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Paid parental leave another step closer to reality for working women

February 7, 2023

The expanded Paid Parental Leave is another step closer to being made law as the Federal Parliament discusses the new laws in the second reading debate today.

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Reserve Bank pushes workers, economy close to cliff edge

February 7, 2023

Today’s interest rate rise of 0.25% per cent announced by the Reserve Bank of Australia will make things even harder for workers, adding a further $92 a month to repayments for someone with a $600,000 mortgage.

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Unions welcome new government sanctions two years on from Myanmar military coup

February 1, 2023

The ACTU has today condemned the military coup and crimes against humanity that took place exactly two years ago in Myanmar and congratulated the Australian government for imposing new sanctions against coup leaders and military organisations.

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Historic day as Paid Family & Domestic Violence Leave to come into force

January 31, 2023

New laws to provide 10 days paid Family and Domestic Violence Leave will come into force tomorrow for workers in businesses with 15 or more employees after unions campaigned and won the reform for workers leaving a violent relationship.

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Cost of living crisis continues for workers

January 25, 2023

Inflation for the year to December 2022 was 7.8 per cent according to data released this morning by the ABS, the highest rate since 1990. Driven by non-discretionary items like food and beverages (9.2 per cent), fuel (13.2 per cent), electricity (8.6 per cent) and housing (10.7 per cent, and higher for renters).

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Softening labour market shows need for further action on secure jobs

January 19, 2023

Despite unemployment remaining stable at 3.5 per cent, today’s underlying figures show a concerning loss of jobs and hours worked.

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The ACTU Network

Australian Unions

Whether you want to join a union, take action in campaigns, or make the most of the benefits of being a union member, Australian Unions is the place to go for information and resources.
Visit Australian Unions

Mind Your Head

We’re taking action to protect workplace mental health.
Visit Mind Your Head

Worksite

Your rights at work for students and for people entering the workforce for the first time.
Visit Worksite

OHS

Information and resources for health and safety representatives and workers about how to speak up at work for health and safety.
Visit OHS

Union Aid Abroad

Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA is the overseas aid and development agency of the ACTU. Our work aims to build self-reliance through support to educational and training projects for workers and their organisations in the developing world.
Visit Union Aid Abroad

ACTU National Union Directory

Find who you are looking for from the who’s who of the union movement.
Visit the ACTU National Union Dictionary
Australian Council of Trade Unions

Representing Australian workers and their families.