Speeches & Opinions 2014

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

Tipping the scales for work-life balance

November 19, 2014

Australians are losing the battle for work-life balance, writes ACTU President Ged Kearney.

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Opening address by ACTU President Ged Kearney to 2014 L20 Summit, Thursday, 13 November 2014, Brisbane

November 13, 2014

ACTU President Ged Kearney spoke about the role and importance of the Labour 20 (L20) when she opened the 2014 L20 Summit in Brisbane on 13 November 2014.

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‘The priorities of the Australian G20 Presidency’: ACTU President Ged Kearney address to Session II of the 2014 L20 Summit

November 13, 2014

In a speech to the L20 Summit in Brisbane, ACTU President Ged Kearney said the Australian presidency of the G20 has scored points on some fronts but will be remembered as much for what was not prioritised, in particular inequality and climate change.

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Dave Oliver address to Migration Institute of Australia, Canberra, 30 October 2014

October 30, 2014

ACTU Secretary Dave Oliver addressed the Migration Institute of Australia conference about the skilled migration and flaws in the 457 visa program.

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Crippling unions: Tim Lyons address to Chifley Research Centre, 29 October 2014

October 29, 2014

In an address to the Chifley Research Centre in Melbourne on 29 October, ACTU Assistant Secretary Tim Lyons spoke about the politically-motivated and anti-worker agenda behind the Heydon Royal Commission into unions.

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The Future of Manufacturing: Dave Oliver speech to Ideas & Society forum, Latrobe University, 3 September 2014

September 3, 2014

ACTU Secretary Dave Oliver proposed some ideas for the future of manufacturing and jobs at an Ideas & Society forum at Latrobe University on 3 September 2014.

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Ged Kearney address to the 2014 ALERA National Conference, 29 August 2014, Gold Coast

August 29, 2014

Ged Kearney addressed the annual conference of the Australian Labour and Employment Relations Association on 29 August 2014 about workplace reform in Australia.

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Ged Kearney address to the ACTU National Women’s Conference, 21 August 2014, Melbourne

August 21, 2014

In her opening address to the ACTU National Women’s Conference in Melbourne on 21 August 2014, ACTU President Ged Kearney outlined campaign priorities for unions to advance the working lives of women.

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Ged Kearney address to the National Small Business Summit, 7 August 2014

August 7, 2014

ACTU President Ged Kearney addressed the National Small Business Summit in Melbourne on 7 August 2014.

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ACTU Assistant Secretary, Tim Lyons speech for the 2014 Economic and Social Outlook Conference

July 4, 2014

ACTU Assistant Secretary, Tim Lyons speech for the 2014 Economic and Social Outlook Conference

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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.
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Mind Your Head

We’re taking action to protect workplace mental health.
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Worksite

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

Information and resources for health and safety representatives and workers about how to speak up at work for health and safety.
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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.
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ACTU National Union Directory

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