Australian Greens thank outgoing ACTU leaders for their service to working people
Australian Greens thank outgoing ACTU leaders for their service to working people | Australian Greens Skip to main content Search Get Involved Join Donate Our plan Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action Policy principles & aims Our team Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Media releases Take action Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Our movement About the Greens Become a member Jobs Green Magazine All news Get Involved Join Donate Search Our plan Toggle Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action Policy principles & aims Our team Toggle Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Media releases Take action Toggle Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Our movement Toggle About the Greens Become a member Jobs Green Magazine All news Australian Greens thank outgoing ACTU leaders for their service to working people 2026-07-28 The Australian Greens thank Sally McManus and Michele O’Neil for their years of leadership and unwavering commitment to improving the lives of working Australians and to pushing for progressive reform.
Their tenure saw the ACTU lead the union movement in fearlessly advocating for workers, helping build campaigns that delivered real improvements to wages, rights, and workplace protections. The Greens have proudly worked alongside the ACTU and the unions they represent to move the government and secure: marriage equality a fairer minimum wage protect climate funding from Coalition attacks the right to disconnect for workers stronger intractable bargaining laws criminal penalties for wage and super theft extending paid parental leave to 26 weeks the inclusion of super in paid parental leave paid family and domestic violence leave a positive duty for employers to prevent sexual harassment and discrimination pay increases for ECEC and aged care workers Lines attributable to Leader of the Australian Greens, Larissa Waters: “Sally McManus and Michele O’Neil have been strong voices for workers who led the union movement with courage, principle and compassion.
They have been a powerful duo for almost a decade, and I’m so proud to have had two strong women leading the union movement. “The Greens are proud to have worked alongside the ACTU to stop governments putting the interests of big corporations ahead of people’s rights at work. “We also proudly worked together on campaigns that changed lives, and remain very close to my heart.
Extending Paid Parental Leave to 26 weeks and the inclusion of super, paid family and domestic violence leave, legislating a positive duty to prevent workplace sexual harassment and discrimination, and supporting the ECEC and aged care worker pay rises have all left women and all Australian workers better off. “The union movement is strongest when it is bold, independent and willing to put workers’ rights ahead of vested interests.
Sally and Michele have embodied that spirit in their leadership pushing the Albanese Labor government to implement a minimum 25% tax on gas exports and for action to address the housing crisis “We are entering what could be the most challenging period for Australian workers in recent history. Workers are producing more wealth than ever before but corporate profits increasingly eat into their share of the pie, and AI threatens to widen this gap even further.
“It will be the task of the ACTU’s new leadership to hold governments to account, demand a good living for workers and refuse to allow political parties to tinker and capitulate to vested interests. The Greens look forward to continuing our productive relationship with the ACTU under its future leadership, and wish Sally and Michele a wonderful next chapter after their incredible leadership.” Lines attributable to Australian Greens spokesperson for finance, employment and workplace relations, Senator Barbara Pocock: “Sally McManus and Michele O'Neil leave behind a powerful legacy.
They have fought hard to improve job security and address low pay. Their leadership has helped narrow the gender pay gap. “They have led with conviction and set the stage for the next generation of strong union leaders.
“Personally, I have long admired their shared, steadfast commitment to collective solidarity, the principled way they have undertaken their leadership alongside each other, and especially their efforts to protect workers during COVID.” Facebook for the Australian Greens YouTube for the Australian Greens X for the Australian Greens Instagram for the Australian Greens Bluesky for the Australian Greens Privacy Members website Your safety Contact us Our plan Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action In your language 2025 policy platform Policy principles & aims Our team Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Federal portfolios Federal media releases Take action Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Upcoming events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Green Magazine All news Our movement About the Greens Become a member Jobs Members website State/territory parties Contact us The Greens acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture.
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