Bill Shorten: a lion of the Australian labour movement
Australian Workers’ Union Media Release
The Australian Workers’ Union congratulates Bill Shorten on his remarkable 30 years of service to the Australian labour movement.
Bill started his career at the AWU Victorian branch in 1994 where four years later in 1998 he was elected to the position of Victorian State Secretary.
In 2001 Bill became the National Secretary of the AWU six years before being elected as the Member for Maribyrnong in 2007.
AWU National Secretary Paul Farrow said Mr Shorten left an indelible legacy.
“Bill’s work in turning around the fortunes of our union during his six years as National Secretary are legendary. Doing so required not just extraordinary vision and strategic nous, but also an incredible work ethic, which he carried into into his parliamentary career,” Mr Farrow said.
“Bill led the union defining moments, including the collapse of Ansett and the Beaconsfield mine disaster. His leadership during these crises showed his relentless drive to support workers and ensure their rights were defended. He was always there – whether standing with families who had lost loved ones or advocating for thousands of members who found themselves out of work overnight.
“Bill’s hands-on approach and dedication made him incredibly popular among AWU members, who respected his work ethic and admired his tireless efforts on their behalf. He will always have the gratitude of our union.”
AWU Victoria Secretary Ronnie Hayden said his branch would never forget the singular contribution of Mr Shorten.
“Such was Bill’s appetite for work and responsibility that when he took on the incredibly challenging role of National Secretary he maintained his role as Victorian branch secretary, and did both jobs tremendously well,” Mr Hayden said.
“From the day he walked into out branch, Bill established a reputation as a tough, ethical, and pragmatic union leader who worked hard to achieve the best deal possible on behalf of our members.
“Our branch was tremendously proud when Bill took his AWU values into parliament. No matter the time period, or the role, Bill never lost sight of who he was there to serve: everyday working Australians. His mission was always to help build a fairer, more inclusive Australia. He leaves as a lion of the Australian labour movement.”
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11 comments
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paul walter
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old bloke
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leefe
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Harry Lime
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Terence Mills
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Steve Davis
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Andrew Smith
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Arnd
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Clakka
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Baby Jewels
Return to home pageWell, If he is so useful, why is he not asked to remain?
My son is a young member of the ALP and was a helper on the door at a major party function in Sydney. He told me that of all the politicians who entered, only Bill Shorten shook the helpers’ hands and thanked them.
Possibly the best PM we never had.
One major contender for the leadership rubbed out…what’s next Albo? How about the yankee plant Marles?Another potential seat for the Greens.There will be a well hung parliament,the only question is….who will be the junior partner?
paul walter
He was offered the role of Australian High commissioner in London in 2022 by Albanese but preferred to continue on with possibly the most difficult and thankless job in politics : to get the NDIS back on track.
‘On yer Bill, thank you for your service !
Great comments!
There’s a reason Coalition figures hate unionists in parliament.
Anyone who rises to the top of the union movement enters parliament equipped with administration skills and people skills.
What a contrast to the mediocrities thrown up by the Coalition.
To an extent the NSW ALP and especially NewsCorp led RW MSM did a number on Shorten with glib and nasty ‘Kill Bill’ campaign Vs LNP; too easily.
A relative in SE NSW dealt with and met Shorten on regional disability several times saying he was professional and passionate; then in front of camera became instantly ‘wooden’.
The latter, with other fabricated noise, was enough to dissuade too many low info Australians now demanding entertainment and instant gratification.
He was great in Beaconsfield but he was abysmal as leader culminating in his brainfart tax that elected the hand clapping minister for everything. Labor will not miss him.
ps footie is a mental game hinkley did not prepare our blokes mentally he had effall to offer at the breaks.
pps the ABC’s green showed his incompetence. Anyone with an understanding of preferences would have predicted a loonie victory in darwin it will be repeated in several qld seats in the state election and at least 6 labor seats when albo gets thrashed.
Yet another Labor leader heading off to a grotesquely well remunerated post-political appointment? There’s plenty of them, of course, both here in Australia and elsewhere, and I don’t really consider it within my remit to judge them.
But I do note in passing, that their ideas about equality and my ideas about equality clearly are at some variance.
Yes Arnd, notions of equality remain a never-resolved preponderance within Labor ranks.
In the article it says:
“Bill’s hands-on approach and dedication made him incredibly popular among AWU members”
Within the wider Labor movement in Melbourne’s north west and west, one wouldn’t have much difficulty getting a snarl from the Labor women as to Bill’s [obsessive] hands-on approach.
My favourite Bill Shorten video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsil0m8LGEU Especially the last minute.