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Federal Elections
China-Australia Free Trade Agreement - not in the national interest
08 September 2015
The Australian Services Union along with the ACTU and other unions are opposing a number of aspects of the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA). The Agreement is yet to be passed by the Australian Parliament, although it has already been signed by the Federal Minister for Trade and Investment Andrew…
It's time to tell the Productivity Commission what you think of their recommendations about cutting your rights at work. Recently the Commission issued a Draft Report as part of its Inquiry into workplaces and as we expected, they followed the Federal Government's script on cutting penalty rates, freezing the minimum…
National Reform Summit - jobs and economic growth for all
26 August 2015
Australian Unions welcome the opportunity for a genuine policy debate on Australia's productivity, economic growth, tax system and retirement incomes at the National Reform Summit in Sydney today. We need a long term plan for inclusive growth and prosperity that is supported by government, unions, business and community groups. Australia…
The Senate's decision to reject the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) and Registered Organisations bills is a win for the rights at work of millions of Australians. These proposed laws are a key part of the Federal Government's agenda to weaken unions and attack our rights at work. Since…
The ACTU will pursue its claim to make paid domestic violence leave a workplace right in the Fair Work Commission today. The ACTU is pushing to make 10 days paid domestic violence leave for employees an award condition, which would benefit more than six million Australian workers. Having access to…
Productivity Commission report attacks penalty rates, minimum wage and rights at work
05 August 2015
Unions have always said the Productivity Commission Inquiry was called by the Abbott Government in order to cut penalty rates, the minimum wage and rights at work – the interim report released yesterday confirms that. Penalty Rates to be cut The report calls for a two-tiered workplace system with Sunday…
ACTU Secretary Dave Oliver led a rally outside the office of Corangamite MP Sarah Henderson today calling for her to take action to protect penalty rates for thousands of workers in the Geelong, Colac and Surf Coast regions. Unions have written to Ms Henderson asking her to come out publicly…
The Federal Government’s proposed changes to the governance of superannuation funds will undermine Australia’s high preforming Industry Super Funds and could see millions of Australians retire with less in their super. The ACTU submission on the Treasury Department’s Reforms to Superannuation Governance exposure draft outlines the threat to Industry Super…
Australian Unions will today launch a campaign to 'Save Our Weekend' and protect penalty rates for thousands of workers in the Geelong, Colac and Surf Coast regions. Around 100 people will gather at the Geelong Trades Hall Council to launch the campaign. >> Show your support for weekend rates by…
Women need super security too
21 July 2015
In all the talk of age pensions, political deals and savings measures, we often forget the group in our society most negatively affected by cuts to safety nets: our women. Click here to read this article on Working Life It is no news that women struggle to gather enough savings…
Exploitation rife while future jobs & skills for Australian workforce undermined by Abbott’s broken work visa system
17 July 2015
The Senate inquiry into temporary work visas is holding its final sitting in Canberra today concluding weeks of hearings shedding light on Australia's issue-riddled work visa system. The evidence is clear: the Abbott Government must fix this broken system. The Senate inquiry has previously held hearings in Brisbane, Sydney, Perth…
Take action to save quality community services
14 July 2015
Take action today by signing the Change.org petition asking Social Services Minister Scott Morrison to invest in quality community services instead of cutting funding. >> Sign the petition to stop cuts to community services The petition tells Isabella's story of how Federal funding cuts have affected her ability to access…
Marriage equality is just simply equality
09 July 2015
Yesterday, the ASU National Executive reasserted the Union's support for marriage equality by calling on the upcoming ALP National Conference to support a binding vote in favour of same sex marriage to remedy this final legal constraint on the equality of all Australians. Full equality before the law is a…
It is now well known that amongst its many broken election promises, the Federal Government broke Abbott's key centrepiece promise on paid parental leave (PPL). The fact they chose Mother's Day in May this year to announce the death knell of their policy just rubbed salt into the wound of…