Albanese Hails Departing ACTU Leaders as 'Giants of the Labour Movement'
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has praised outgoing ACTU leaders Sally McManus and Michele O'Neil as 'giants of the labour movement' after they announced their resignation from their top union roles. The government also announced funding for a feasibility study into a new oil refinery in Western Australia to reduce reliance on imported fuel.
ACTU Leadership Shake-Up
The leadership of Australia's trade union movement is set for a major shake-up after the secretary and president of the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) announced their surprise departures. Sally McManus (secretary) and Michele O'Neil (president) revealed on Monday night they would be stepping down after eight years together. They were the first all-female leadership team in the ACTU's 99-year history and played a major role in shaping the Albanese government's workplace agenda.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described them as personal friends and 'giants of the labour movement' in a statement. He said working families are in stronger financial positions today due to their advocacy, highlighting successes such as the right to disconnect law, same job same pay protections, wage theft criminalisation, and minimum pay and safety standards for gig workers.
McManus will leave next month, while O'Neil will assist the new secretary before departing by year's end. In a farewell video, they said it was time for renewal, noting that union membership is growing and workers have over 47 new workplace rights, but challenges remain with cost-of-living, AI, and billionaire wealth and power.
New Oil Refinery Feasibility Study
Separately, the Commonwealth and Western Australian governments will spend $4 million to scope out a potential new large-scale petrol refinery – the first built since the 1960s. The project would be constructed and funded by Perdaman, the multinational behind a $4.5 billion fertiliser plant in the Pilbara.
The international oil shock from the Iran war exposed Australia's heavy reliance on overseas suppliers: roughly 90% of fuel products are imported. Only two local refineries operate: Ampol's Lytton refinery in Brisbane and Viva Energy's facility in Geelong.
The federal government's $10.7 billion fuel security package announced in May included $10 million to support feasibility studies. Albanese said the longer the Middle East war continues, the greater the impact on Australia, and his government will do everything to shield the country and set it up for the future. The early-stage support may face environmentalist pushback for doubling down on fossil fuels instead of reducing reliance.
