Speeches & Opinion: Latest Articles

Destroying myths about young people and unions - 16 August 2008
There is a widespread myth that young people are too individualistic to join unions. This myth needs to be destroyed, sometimes even among Australian Workers Union organisers.

It's Time to revisit Keating's superannuation revolution - 07 August 2008
I got short shrift when I called for this year's promised income tax cuts to be paid into the nation's savings as government superannuation contribution, when I gave the first speech for 2008 at the National Press Club in January.

Standing stronger together for Gladstone - 01 August 2008
We care deeply in the AWU about how families in Australia’s regional centres live and work. For more than a century we've been hearing reasons why they should get less money or lose their jobs.

Members and families first - 24 July 2008
WE care deeply in the AWU about how Australian families live and work. For more than a century we've been hearing reasons why they should get less money or lose their jobs.

Give workers a voice in climate change solutions - 24 July 2008
Employees in industries at risk deserve protection with trading permits, the AWU National Secretary, Paul Howes, has written in today's Melbourne Age

Time to energise the Bush - 10 June 2008
The biggest selling daily newspaper in Australia, the Melbourne Herald-Sun, has this morning run a major Opinion piece by the AWU National Secretary, Paul Howes, arguing the union’s case why business and government must accept that it is Time to energise the Bush

Unions must stop opposing work schemes - 02 May 2008
The Australian has today run a opinion piece by AWU National Secretary Paul Howes on why the AWU has changed its view on some migrant labour schemes.

Time to pump life into the nation's engine rooms - 16 April 2008
The Adelaide Advertiser and the Brisbane Courier-Mail has today run a feature piece written by the Australian Workers' Union National Secretary on we need to turn our regional centres into the nation's engine rooms.

AWU stands up for Israel's sovereign rights - 03 April 2008
The Australian Jewish News has today run a feature piece written by the Australian Workers' Union National Secretary articulating the AWU's position on the state of Israel and why we defend it.

There is a super way out of Labor's tax cut dilemma - 21 February 2008
Protecting our members from higher interest rates and bigger mortgages - which eat away at wage packets - is a key issue for the AWU.

Steel needs vision for its long-term future - 16 February 2008
The Newcastle Herald ran this Opinion Piece today, from the AWU's Paul Howes, after OneSteel announced on Friday it was shutting down this September the former BHP bar mill at Mayfield in Newcastle.

Rural Jobs Push - a National Priority - 30 January 2008
Australia must look to regional communities for economic growth.

Transcript from the National Press Club, Canberra, January 30 2008 - 30 January 2008
Today at the National Press Club, the National Secretary of the Australian Workers' Union, Paul Howes. At just 26, Mr Howes has taken over from Bill Shorten as head of the powerful union at a time when the new Labor Government begins reshaping the workplace landscape. From the National Press Club in Canberra, Paul Howes.

AWU mates give Bill Shorten a hearty good-bye as he moves to Canberra - 13 December 2007
Speech given by AWU National Secretary Paul Howes at the Tribute Dinner for former National Secretary Bill Shorten in Melbourne on December 13, 2007.

Bosses Must Pay The Price For Staff - 11 July 2007
In The Weekly Times, 11 July 2007, AWU National Secretary Bill Shorten argues that a freeze on wages for farm workers will harm, not help, the agriculture sector.

Nothing 'Fair' About This Test - 22 May 2007
This opinion piece was published in the Herald Sun on Tuesday 22 May 2007.

Deep Down Agreement - 10 May 2007
This opinion piece was published in the Herald Sun on Thursday 10 May 2007.

Smart Strategy Will Build A Better Future - 24 April 2007
In this article, published in the Australian newspaper, Bill Shorten argues that we need an industry policy that encourages manufacture in the 21st century.

How To Fix the Water Crisis - Lay A Pipe Across Victoria - 26 March 2007
In this article published in the Herald Sun, Bill Shorten outlines the case for fixing the leaking Goulburn Murray irrigation system, and sharing the water savings.

Busting The Water Myths - 28 February 2007
Address to the 5th Annual Australian Water Summit, 28 February 2007