Once again we have celebrated an amazing Annual Conference and Women’s Conference. I have to say I was very proud to celebrate this event with our fantastic delegates from right across NSW.

On Sunday 20th and Monday 21st September our Annual USU Women’s Conference (read more here) was held with Annual Conference commencing on 21st and finishing up on Wednesday 23rd of September.

Delegates from across NSW came together to celebrate our achievements over the past 12 months and plan our growth activities for the coming year.

The enthusiasm of our delegates this year was an amazing inspiration – with some very real threats to working Australians looming we need to maintain that enthusiasm and share it in our workplaces.

Make no mistake we are living in very serious times and while many members are finding times tough, one thing is certain, workers who belong to their union are much better off than those who do not.

KNOW THE FACTS

This brings me to a concern that I, and others, brought to the conference floor. The concern that Pauline Hanson’s One Nation is offering a better time for Australian workers and families. At no time in our history is it more important to be armed with facts – real facts not fake ones.

At conference I urged delegates to be vigilant and read what Ms Hanson actually says, and has said, about Australian workers. It is pretty clear what she actually thinks!

“You can’t sack people these days. They’re on their phones, they don’t work, they don’t turn up, they’re actually lazy…”

How can she say she is for workers when she has voted against criminalising wage theft and industrial manslaughter, she outsources jobs overseas to cut costs, and disrespects working people by calling them lazy. Pauline Hanson and One Nation are not for workers.
 

GREAT NEWS FROM PREMIER CHRIS MINNS

Someone who is definitely for the workers is Premier Chris Minns. The Premier attended our conference dinner and gave a keynote speech – and it was a highlight of conference!
 
Talk about energy – at this point of our conference it was on overdrive. When Premier Minns announced the government would be putting forward legislation securing same job, same pay provisions covering NSW council workers on labour hire contracts conference delegates were ecstatic.
 
One of our key fights across all industries, in particular in local government, is the threat of cheap contract labour. As the Premier told delegates, the USU has been determined to wipe out this scourge, so this was a special win. It means people working along side each other will be paid the same rates. Contractors will have to pay the same rates as day labour, which should lead to less low paid contractors and more safe and secure jobs.
 

Coming on the back of our great funding victory in July this is wonderful news for workers and the local government sector brought about by the hard work of members, delegates and your union. 2026 has indeed been a great year!

Annual Conference was a great opportunity to examine the challenges and celebrate the victories since last conference and work out where change is necessary, how we can implement the change and continue to grow our great union.

Conference honoured our life members, including former Executive Member Jeff Wearing as well as our delegate of the year Gerard Bryant and all nominees.

Delegate of the Year
2026 Life Members

We were also fortunate to hear from our sponsors Active Super, Carroll & O’Dea solicitors, Australian Mutual Bank and Wagecover.

I recognise our delegates who have worked tirelessly on behalf of our membership. Without such dedicated workplace delegates, our union would not be the force it is today.

I also acknowledge the tireless efforts of our staff and Executive at this conference; their work is ongoing and highly valued.

At the bottom of this page we highlight some great USU moments throughout 2026 – we have a lot to celebrate!

 

Graeme Kelly OAM
USU General Secretary 

CHECK OUT OUR YEAR IN REVIEW VIDEO >>>>

Speakers

Our conference was officially opened by Unions NSW Secretary Mark Morey and included some key speakers such as:

NSW Premier – The Hon. Chris Minns MP;
Mark Morey, Secretary, Unions NSW;
Senator Tony Sheldon, Senator for NSW;
The Hon. Sophie Cotsis MP, Minister for Industrial Relations & Minister for Work Health and Safety;
The Hon. Kristy McBain MP, Federal Minister for Regional Development,  Local Government and Territories
Natalie Lang, Director of Education and Capacity Building at the Australian Council of Trade Unions;
Zoe Honeysett, Director, Apprentices & Trainees Program – Office of Local Government;
Gordon Brock, Commissioner – NSW Industrial Relations Commission;
Neil Henderson, The Services Union;
Wendy White, Sparkling Voices;
Asela Atapattu, Executive Director, Policy Programs and Finance – NSW EPA;
Rebecca Viney, Relationship Manager – Australian Mutual Bank;
Michael Barnes – Senior Legal Counsel, Carroll & O’Dea;
Kyle Loades FAICD FTL MBA – Chairperson, Vision Super;
Stephen Rowe – CEO Vision Super;
Jason Charlton, Business Relationship Manager – WageCover

Conference Photo Gallery

Photo gallery to go here