Speeches & Opinions 2006

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

Greg Combet: Your Rights at Work Worth Voting For

November 30, 2006

At the outset I would like to make something very clear. It is an undeniable fact that millions of people have lost their rights at work under the new industrial relations laws.

Read More

Sharan Burrow: Your Rights Your Future

November 30, 2006

Last November we said we must not be the first generation of Australians to leave our kids with fewer rights at work than we inherited. We said that we would fight these laws.

Read More

Speeches and opinion

November 22, 2006

Read speeches and op eds by Executive and ACTU staff.

Read More

Greg Combet: A New Australian Consensus for the 21st Century

November 20, 2006

Greg Combet has called for Labor and the union movement to develop a new “democratic consensus” on the issues of economic growth, security, education and climate change.

Read More

ACTU Congress 2006 – IR policy for the next stage of the campaign for workers’ rights

October 25, 2006

ACTU Congress 2006 – IR policy for the next stage of the campaign for workers’ rights

Read More

Greg Combet: All Have a Right to a Fair Deal

September 22, 2006

On Melbourne radio last Friday, Prime Minister John Howard categorically committed his Government to opposing any right for Australian workers to collectively bargain with their employer.

Read More

Greg Combet Unveils Collective Bargaining Blueprint – ABC TV Lateline

September 15, 2006

ABC TV’s Lateline Program speaks to ACTU Secretary Greg Combet about union plans for a new system of collective bargaining.

Read More

Greg Combet: A Fairer Balance Between Industrial Relations and the Economy

September 13, 2006

The Howard Government is losing the debate over the new industrial relations laws not only because the laws are unfair. It is also losing because it has been dishonest.

Read More

Sharan Burrow: Interest rate rise will hit working families hard

August 2, 2006

In a public address at the University of Melbourne 2 August 2006, ACTU President Sharan Burrow provides new ACTU analysis of the key pressures on working families as a result of the IR laws and the Federal Governments economic policy.

Read More

Greg Combet: The Human Cost of the Howard Government’s IR Laws

June 28, 2006

Greg Combet outlines the impact of the new IR laws and the union campaign ahead.

Read More

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

Representing Australian workers and their families.