National Conference 2018

29 October 2012 By

The biennial ASU National Conference will be held in 2018 in Sydney, New South Wales, from Wednesday 21 November to Friday 23 November at Dockside, Cockle Bay Wharf, Sydney.

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National Conference theme Click to collapse

This year's National Conference theme is "Change The Rules". The theme reflects the main topics being examined this year:

Superannuation – Solutions for Equality
Reclaiming Local Government Functions
Change the Rules
The Future of Work in the Age of Disruption and Digital Revolution

National Conference materials Click to collapse

Social media & WiFi connection Click to collapse

Social media hashtag for National Conference TBC

National Conference special events Click to collapse

Welcome Reception will be held on the evening of Wednesday 21 November at the Gold Room, L'Aqua, Level 2, Dockside by AustralianSuper.
Life Membership presentations will be held at the Welcome Reception (see names of nominees below).
Women's Lunch, Thursday 22 November at the Terrace Room, L'Aqua, Level 2 Dockside, sponsored by CareSuper.
Conference Dinner will be held on the evening of Thursday 22 November at the Plenary Room, Level 1 Dockside, sponsored by HESTA.
National ASU Delegate of the Year presentation will be held at the Dinner (see names of nominees below) and is sponsored by HESTA.

Speakers and presenters Click to collapse

Welcome to Country

Ann Weldon

Opening Address

David Smith, ASU National Secretary

Keynote Speaker

Sally McManus, ACTU Secretary

ASU Member Speakers

ASU members Daisy Gardner, Oxfam and Dave Sweeney, Australian Conservation Foundation

Welcome Reception

Hon Bill Shorten M.P, Leader of the Opposition
Mark Morey, Secretary, Unions NSW

Plenary 1: Superannuation – Solutions for Equality

Chair: Linda White, Assistant National Secretary
Kelly Shay, Fund and Stakeholder Relationship Manager, AustralianSuper
Mary Delahunty, Head of Impact,, HESTA
Mark Patman, Alliance Partnership and Employer Relationship Manager, CareSuper
Emma Dawson, Executive Director, Per Capita

WORKSHOP 1: Superannuation

Delegates are assigned into one of four working groups (Chaired by National Executive & Industrial Officers)

Women's Lunch

Sophie Ismail and Kate Minter, ACTU National Campaign Coordinators

Alternative Lunch

Craig Hamilton, Mental Health Advocate and Speaker on Mental Health

Plenary 2: Reclaiming Local Government Functions

Chair: Robert Potter, Assistant National Secretary
Stephen Jones, Shadow Minister for Regional Services, Territories and Local Government
Thomas Kattnig, Vice President, Public Services International
Roberta Ryan, Centre for Local Government at UTS

PLENARY 3: Change the Rules (Q&A Session)

Tony Slevin, Barrister, ACTU
Troy Henderson, Economist, The Centre for Future Work
Michelle O’Neill, President, ACTU (20 minutes)

Conference Dinner – Steve Birney Tribute Dinner

Delegate of the Year Awards
Lawrence Mooney, Malcolm Turnbull impersonator

Plenary 4: The Future of Work in the Age of Disruption and Digital Revolution

Chair: Vivienne Doogan, Executive President QLD Together Branch
Alison Pennington, Research Economist, The Centre for Future Work
Mark Morey, Secretary, Unions NSW (Air tasker, Deliveroo)
Professor Rae Cooper, Professor of Gender, Work and Employment Relations, The University of Sydney

WORKSHOP 2: The Future of Work in the Age of Disruption and Digital Revolution

Delegates are assigned into 4 working groups - Plenary Room & Cockle Bay Rooms I & II

Plenary 5: Keynote Speaker

Tracey Spicer, AM – Journalist #MeToo

More information about our speakers:

National Conference Speaker Profiles

Delegate of the Year Click to collapse

The National Delegate of the Year Award is presented biennially at the ASU National Conference. It recognises in all nominees the dedication and spirit that makes the union movement great through its activists. HESTA is the generous sponsor of the 2018 Awards.