Richard Wiseman, a Griffith High deputy principal, has been recognised with life membership of the NSW Teachers Federation after 38 years of advocacy. His efforts secured teacher housing, classroom air-conditioning, and a historic pay rise. Wiseman also successfully campaigned for improved incentives to attract teachers to Griffith, addressing chronic vacancies. He remains committed to strengthening public education in regional communities, despite increasing challenges. Wiseman's dedication has benefited both Griffith High and the broader education system.
Unions have warned that Australian workers and industries risk becoming hostages to the algorithm without guardrails on artificial intelligence. Transport Workers' Union national secretary Michael Kaine told a federal parliamentary inquiry that driverless vehicles could cause deaths, and said a May poll found seven in 10 respondents opposed fully automated taxis and trucks. The National Tertiary Education Union said it is in a dispute with RMIT over an AI program that could affect 40 admissions staff.
Career unionist Emma Kingdon will become the next president of the Australian Council of Trade Unions in December. The ACTU Executive named her president-elect on Tuesday, 20 October. She replaces Michele O'Neil, who steps down that month. Ms Kingdon has spent nine months as executive officer of the CFMEU Administration, which is rebuilding the union. Melissa Donnelly, the ACTU's new secretary, welcomed the appointment, describing Ms Kingdon as an experienced campaigner for workers' rights.
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Emma Kingdon has been elected as the next president of the Australian Council of Trade Unions, the country's peak union body. She replaces Michele O'Neil and will formally start the role in December, working alongside new ACTU secretary Melissa Donnelly. The 38-year-old has been with the ACTU for 10 years, most recently as national campaigns director. Kingdon said securing greater rights at work is her top priority, arguing that pay is failing to keep up with the cost of living. O'Neil praised her successor, saying she is leaving the role in very good hands.
About 100 unionists and solidarity activists met on October 14 to discuss how to defend the Construction Forestry Mining and Employees Union. The meeting was organised by Defend the Unions – Defend the CFMEU. Speakers said the Retail and Fast Food Workers Union helped defeat a federal Labor bill that would have disbanded it. Former CFMEU official Nigel Davies criticised police dawn raids and the union administration's legal support criteria. Speakers urged members to stick together and take collective action to rebuild solidarity before the Victorian elections.
A Sydney start-up is paying workers to wear AI glasses that collect data used to train humanoid robots. Electrical apprentice Jimmy Urquhart is paid an extra $3 an hour to wear the glasses on a Sydney construction site. OpenTraining.AI founder George Bancs expects the robots will first take over dangerous jobs, such as work involving gas or asbestos. Unions fear widespread job losses and want legal protections introduced before the technology becomes common. ACTU assistant secretary Joseph Mitchell said no robot can replace the creativity and empathy of a human worker.
Maritime unions have criticised a Brisbane City Council proposal to install licensed bars on 10 double-decker CityCat ferries. The council is exploring a pilot program and hopes to trial it next year, though details such as opening hours and staffing are still being worked out. The Maritime Union of Australia and the Australian Maritime Officers Union say the plan was made without consulting crew. They warn it would add workload and safety risks for crews already under strain in a long-running pay dispute with RiverCity Ferries.
A Queensland government review has recommended a fit and proper test for union officials seeking right of entry powers on worksites. The state government accepted 75 of the 104 recommendations in full. Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie said the changes target threatening behaviour on construction sites. He said the reforms would not affect workers' right to strike or their ability to join a union. The government plans to introduce a bill on Wednesday evening.
Mining company BHP has confirmed job cuts at its iron ore operations in Western Australia. The ABC understands around 300 jobs will be axed across several Pilbara sites, including South Flank, Mining Area C, Jimblebar and Newman. BHP said it would try to move affected workers into other roles within the business where possible, but did not say how many jobs would go. The WA Electrical Trades Union called the cuts a senseless attack and said workers had not been properly consulted.
Australian workplace deaths rose to 222 in 2025, the highest number since 2012, according to new Safe Work Australia figures. Vehicle collisions remained the most common cause of death. The Australian Council of Trade Unions called the toll shameful and urged governments to act on a recent best practice review. Waste company Cleanaway, where eight workers have died since 2022, said it had strengthened its safety strategy. Safe Work Australia chief executive Marie Boland said the deaths were an unacceptable human cost that must be prevented.
