National Secretary’s Message: Spring 2026

This spring, ACTU National Secretary Sally McManus and National President Michele O’Neil announced they were stepping down after eight years of unwavering dedication and leadership to Australia’s union movement. Despite intense challenges, Sally and Michele never backed down, and secured historic laws protecting and strengthening your rights at work.

Melissa Donnelly, formerly National Secretary of the CPSU, has stepped into the Secretary role. Melissa is a committed unionist, and I’m looking forward to working alongside her in the fight for stronger wages and conditions, safer workplaces, and secure jobs.

We’re getting ready for our 2026 National Conference, which is just a few weeks away. Every two years, AWU officials and delegates together to debate and vote on policies that will set the course for our union. Looking back at our 2024 National Conference resolutions, I’m immensely proud of what our union has achieved.

After a more than decade-long campaign, Australia has finally secured an east coast gas reservation, which is set to become law by the end of the year. While the finer details are still to be confirmed, the shape of the proposed reservation looks to match what the AWU has supported. It’s great that the reservation will cover all east coast LNG exports from day one, but it’s unclear whether some producers will be allowed to seek a leave pass to avoid their obligations. The only way a reservation works is if it applies fairly and consistently to all – and in the final weeks we will do everything we can to ensure there’s no loopholes or carve outs in the final reservation.

We’ve also seen significant progress towards a Future Made in Australia, including a stronger anti-dumping system and coming local procurement reforms. Plus, we’ve secured significant investment for our steelworks and smelters across Australia, including major commitments to the Whyalla Steelworks, Tomago Aluminium and Nyrstar’s lead and zinc smelters. This means long-term job security for thousands of AWU members, and a better path forward for Australian manufacturers in uncertain and challenging times.

In 2024, we celebrated our staunch public sector members, and committed to fighting for the highest possible standards of safety, wages and conditions. From a historic pay rise for Victorian firefighters, to significant pay increases for council workers across Queensland, new WHS laws for NSW first responders in roads and forests, fighting wage caps in Tasmania, lifting the standard for SA council workers, and a strong EA and pay rise for WA firefighters. In every branch, we are fighting and winning for our members in our public sector – no matter who is in government.

In October, we’ll be launching a new range of resolutions to build unity, strength and power in your workplace. These will include policies around fuel securities, saving our smelters, housing policies, and industry standards. Keep an eye out in our next issue for a full wrap-up from our 2026 National Conference.