Media Release: 7 December 2009

ANF Secretary to be new ACTU President

The Federal Secretary of the Australian Nursing Federation (ANF), Ged Kearney, has been endorsed as the next President of the country’s peak union body, the ACTU.

Ms Kearney, 46, was endorsed as the preferred candidate if the position becomes vacant next year, it was announced today.

She paid tribute to current ACTU President, Sharan Burrow, who has indicated she will nominate for the position of General Secretary of the Brussels-based International Trade Union Confederation, next year.

“I am truly honoured and very grateful to have been nominated by my union colleagues to take over from Sharan, if the position becomes vacant next year,” Ms Kearney, said today.

“Sharan has done an extraordinary job for the ACTU.

“This is such an important position, with the ACTU representing the rights of over two million Australian workers.”

Ms Kearney, from Melbourne, is a registered nurse, with more than 15 years experience in general surgery and clinical education. She had been part of leadership team at the ANF for the past six years. The ANF represents over 170,000 nurses, midwives and assistants in nursing, in the public and private health sectors.

“My time as Federal Secretary at the ANF has been rewarding and serving Australia’s hard working nurses has been an honour.”

“I look forward to the opportunity of working with all ACTU affiliates, the small and big unions to develop innovative campaigns to grow the union movement and also work with the wider Australian community on issues which affect the lives of workers and their families,” Ms Kearney explained.

“We need to focus our energy on campaigning for social change. A crucial part of this will be the Federal Election next year.

Ms Kearney said she would remain as Federal Secretary of the ANF until, and if, the position of ACTU President became available.

“I intend to continue to work with the community, the providers, the Federal Government and our members on the Because We Care campaign in aged care, and to grow the membership of the ANF,” she added.

Because We Care is the ANF’s national political, media and organizing campaign aimed at improving quality care for older Australians.

Media Contacts
Sue Bellino ANF Political Director 0400 188 825
Eleni Hale ANF Media Officer 0402 337 388

The ANF, with 170,000 members, is the professional and industrial voice for nurses and midwives in Australia.