ACTU Leaders Sally McManus and Michele O'Neil Resign 2026

The ACTU leaders Sally McManus and Michele O'Neil have announced their resignations, marking a major shakeup in the Australian trade union movement. The secretary and president of the Australian Council of Trade Unions revealed their departure on Monday night after eight years at the helm, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hailing them as “giants of the labour movement.”

Why Are Sally McManus and Michele O'Neil Stepping Down?

In a joint farewell video on social media, McManus and O’Neil said it was “time for renewal.” McManus will leave in August, while O’Neil will remain until a new secretary is settled, departing by the end of the year. Their tenure saw the first all-female leadership team in the ACTU’s 99-year history, and they were instrumental in shaping the Albanese government’s workplace agenda.

Key Achievements of the Departing ACTU Leaders

The pair successfully campaigned for several landmark reforms, including the right to disconnect law, same job same pay protections, wage theft criminalisation, and minimum pay and safety standards for gig economy workers. Union membership is now growing for the first time in decades.

What's Next for the Australian Union Movement?

The ACTU has recently shifted focus, targeting Pauline Hanson and One Nation as the biggest political threat to workers, rather than the Coalition. McManus noted remaining challenges: cost-of-living pressures, AI risks, and billionaire wealth concentration. The new leadership will need to continue building on over 47 new workplace rights.

Key Takeaways

• McManus and O'Neil led the ACTU for eight years, achieving historic workplace reforms.
• Union membership is growing, and the gender pay gap is at a record low.
• The Albanese government praised their advocacy for working families.
• Successors will face cost-of-living and AI challenges.

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