North East Border Trades & Labour

22/05/2026

This course will provide a grounding in the fundamentals of economic theory and policy from a unionist’s perspective.

22/05/2026

This week the International Court of Justice affirmed that the right to strike is protected under international law. Big corporations and employer organisations attempted to overturn this right internationally, arguing it had no basis in law. Unions fought back, and won.

The ruling gives a huge boost to workers all over the world. The right to strike is strongly linked to better wages and safer workplaces the world over. It has also helped to reduce economic inequality and strengthen and promote democracy.

Without the right to withdraw labour collectively, employers hold all the power at the bargaining table. Bargaining therefore becomes little more than asking the boss nicely.

But under Australia’s current “protected action” system, workers face a labyrinth of red tape and legal hurdles before they can lawfully stop work. Secret ballots, notice periods and ministerial intervention all make it harder for workers to take collective action, while employers retain enormous economic power through restructures, outsourcing and lockouts.

A true right to strike is a worker's most powerful weapon, and the AMWU will campaign for the removal of all legislation that restricts our ability to defend ourselves from the greed and violence of private capital.

15/05/2026

Excellent to see Shadow Treasurer Tim Wilson agrees with Labor’s CGT and negative gearing reforms.

Well, philosophically at least.

Because back in 2021, Wilson made the argument beautifully...

When people can earn more, and be taxed less, simply by holding assets rather than working, the system rewards capital over labour.

That is not some wild left-wing slogan.

That is a Liberal MP describing one of the basic principles of a genuinely liberal society... people should get a fair chance, and the tax system should not endlessly entrench privilege for those already holding assets.

And honestly, I agree with the Liberals on this.

See.

I can be bipartisan.

If a tax system rewards passive asset growth more generously than labour, then it tilts the field. It tells younger Australians, renters, workers and first-home buyers that the game was already underway before they arrived.

That is not fairness.

That is inherited advantage dressed up as aspiration.

So yes, credit where it’s due: Tim Wilson was right. I agree with him.

The awkward bit is that Labor appears to be acting on the logic of his argument.

07/05/2026

07/05/2026

Since the Ballarat Trades Hall opened its doors in the 1880s, it’s played a key role in our city’s history, and kept the Eureka spirit alive.

Today the building isn’t just home to the union movement, but countless community groups, a law firm and even yoga and dance groups.

However, like most beautiful, historical building from the 1800s, it is showing its age and lacks a few modern features, like accessibility.

We are supporting Trades Hall, with a $607,000 investment from the Albanese Government.

This building plays such an important role in Ballarat’s history. It’s vital it continues to play that role for decades to come.

07/05/2026

After a massive two year-long campaign, AMWU members at Cochlear have secured their first new Enterprise Agreement in 20 years.

The first major milestone in the campaign came in March 2024, when the Fair Work Commission determined that a “thumping majority” of Cochlear members wished to bargain for a new Agreement and issued the company with a Majority Support Determination.

After a long period at the bargaining table, members voted to endorse an Agreement that delivers them a real wage rise and improvements to their working conditions.

Congratulations to Cochlear delegates and members who stuck together through over two years of highs and lows and changed their workplace for the better.