Melissa Donnelly Elected Secretary of Australian Council of Trade Unions

The Australian Council of Trade Unions executive elected Melissa Donnelly as the new secretary to succeed Sally McManus. Donnelly, the 44-year-old national secretary of the Community and Public Sector Union, will officially take office at the end of August. She becomes one of the youngest leaders in the peak body's history, following a seven-year tenure at the CPSU where she grew membership by 23 percent and fought the outsourcing of government work.

This appointment follows the late July announcement that McManus and ACTU President Michele O'Neil would step down to facilitate generational change. While McManus departs in August, O'Neil will remain until the end of 2026 to assist with the transition. Sally McManus endorsed Donnelly as a representative of a new generation who possesses overwhelming support across the union movement.

Donnelly assumes leadership during a period of significant turbulence for Australian unions. The construction and maritime sectors are currently facing allegations of corruption and stand-over tactics, leading to a state government Commission of Inquiry in Queensland and a royal commission announced by Victoria Premier Ben Carroll into the CFMEU.