INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS
The Australian Council of Trade Unions has confirmed Melissa Donnelly, national secretary of the Community and Public Sector Union, as its incoming secretary. She takes over from Sally McManus on 31 August, becoming one of the youngest people to hold the role.
The ACTU Executive met on Monday 10 August to appoint Melissa Donnelly as the union movement’s secretary-elect, the ACTU confirmed in a media release. Donnelly, 44, will formally take up the role of ACTU secretary on 31 August, replacing Sally McManus, who is stepping down after nearly a decade in the position.
Who is Melissa Donnelly
Donnelly has led the CPSU for seven years and has also served on the ACTU Executive over that period. During her tenure, the union grew by 23 per cent, according to the ACTU. The ACTU credits her with overseeing the reversal of outsourcing of government advice and services to large consultancy firms, securing work-from-home rights, and delivering 18 weeks of paid parental leave for both parents within the sector she represents.
Leadership transition
McManus, who was elected ACTU secretary in 2017, described Donnelly as “smart, strategic and completely focused on the needs of working people.” ACTU president Michele O’Neil, who announced her own departure alongside McManus in late July, will remain in the role to assist the transition; her replacement is expected to be named later this year.
The change in ACTU leadership arrives as unions continue to press on enterprise bargaining, insecure work and the classification of gig and contract labour, issues that touch directly on how staffing and recruitment firms structure engagements in Australia. A new secretary with a public sector and outsourcing background may bring particular scrutiny to labour hire and contracting arrangements used across government supply chains, an area many recruitment and RPO firms operate in directly.
Sources
Australian Council of Trade Unions, media release, “Unions appoint new ACTU Secretary-elect,” 11 August 2026 — actu.org.au
Human Resources Director Australia, “ACTU appoints Melissa Donnelly as new secretary,” 11 August 2026 — hcamag.com
The Canberra Times / Australian Community Media wire report, “New boss named to lead union movement after turbulence,” 11 August 2026
