Melissa Donnelly appointed ACTU secretary-elect

The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) has appointed Melissa Donnelly as its secretary-elect. Donnelly, who has served as the national secretary of the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) for seven years, will succeed Sally McManus, who is stepping down on August 30 after a decade in the role.

Donnelly has pledged to prioritize addressing cost-of-living pressures and ensuring wage growth keeps pace with inflation. While advocating for increased workplace flexibility, she stated she would not support an unlimited right for all employees to work from home.

Regarding recent corruption scandals within the union movement, including the administration of the CFMEU and misconduct findings by the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC), Donnelly expressed a “zero tolerance” policy for corruption and violence. She noted that the movement must work to ensure industries, particularly construction, remain free of such issues. Donnelly is scheduled to begin her tenure on August 31.