General ASU News

The ACTU is backing a call by Workplace Relations Minister Bill Shorten for a pre-election debate between the major parties on industrial relations policy. Minister Shorten today called on his Coalition counterpart Eric Abetz to come out of hiding and commit to a debate on workplace policy. "Working people absolutely…

Australians face a stark choice at this election between a government that will stand up for work rights and an opposition which has promised to wind back protections at work and introduce individual contracts. ACTU President Ged Kearney said working people would be looking for parties and candidates to demonstrate…

A national productivity agenda must include better training for Australia's corporate executives in identifying and implementing measures to genuinely boost productivity, the ACTU said today. With rising company profits over the past decade many employers have taken their eye off the ball when it comes to genuine commitment to lifting…

Recently the Australian Human Rights Commission released a new resource to assist women with entering male-dominated industries. The ASU has many members in this situation, so we participated in the launch. We encourage our interested members to have a look at the new Toolkit. ASU Assistant National Secretary Greg McLean…

The ASU pays tribute to Michael O'Sullivan for the honour of this posthumous award. Michael was National Executive President of the ASU when he left in 2004 after a long and distinguished career with our Union, although we maintained close ties fighting for better superannuation for workers. Our Vale to…

Australian Unions are today launching a campaign which highlights the increasing pressures many workers face from the demands of business, which are impacting their lives outside of work. Under the banner Australian Unions. Join. For a better life. unions will be highlighting the role that unions continue to play standing…

ACTU President Ged Kearney will today call for closer engagement between unions and business over the economic challenges facing Australia, and for the business lobby to overcome its opposition to reforms in the national interest. Speaking at a symposium on The Accord 30 Years On in Sydney this afternoon, Ms…

The Centre for Policy Development's public service Research Director Christopher Stone contends that sometimes cutting can cost more than it saves. Shifting responsibility to the private sector is not a cost-effective strategy when the public sector is better placed to provide essential services. While efficiency is defined in terms of…

THE Government will invest $1 billion boosting innovation, productivity and competitiveness through its Plan for Australian Jobs, including $500 million to establish 10 Industry Innovation Precincts, and $378 million to stimulate venture capital. Projects worth more than $500 million must include an Australian Industry Participation Plan, and there will be…

If you support better funding for Australian schools, give a Gonski on Saturday, the 25th of May. The Gonski Review made it clear that we must urgently invest in education and public schools. The Prime Minister has put $9.4 billion on the table to make the Gonski reforms a reality…