ACTU Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Congress forum

The Hon. M. EL DANNAWI (14:32): My question is to the Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector. Will the minister inform the council about the inaugural ACTU Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Congress Forum?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (14:33): I thank the honourable member for her question and her interest in this area, and her role in trade unions. I am delighted to answer this question that touches upon a couple of my portfolio areas.

The ACTU Congress is the highest decision-making body in the Australian trade union movement. This year's congress was the first to be held in person since 2018 and was convened in Adelaide between 4 and 6 June. This year's congress included the inaugural Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander forum, which was the very first forum held at the congress. I was very proud to attend and speak to the many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members across many unions at this forum.

I have spoken in this place about the instrumental role that the trade union movement in Australia has played in advancing the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the strong history of unions providing a platform for collective action and solidarity, which has been crucial in the fight against racism and for self-determination for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. It is a testament to the importance and value of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members to the broader union movement. Both the president of the ACTU, Michele O'Neil, and the secretary, Sally McManus, were in attendance at the forum and spoke to members.

Ms O'Neil and Ms McManus spoke of the long history of the ACTU Congress and its unwavering commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. I had the opportunity to speak to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander union members about matters in South Australia, including the South Australian First Nations Voice. I am pleased to see that the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander forum has been established at the ACTU Congress to enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander unionists to come together and collectively talk about their views and concerns, shape policies and ensure their perspectives are represented at the highest decision-making body, the union movement.

I particularly acknowledge and congratulate the organisers of the forum, in particular Jo Kerr, the chair of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander committee, on the role she has played over many years. I thank all members who participated and look forward to the positive outcomes that will come as a result of First Nations people being so involved in the trade union movement, and the continued support and solidarity of the trade union movement in advancing the interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia.