New ACTU President Gerardine (Ged) Kearney takes office today.Ms Kearney replaces Sharan Burrow, who last week was elected General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation.
Ms Kearney has been a member of the ACTU Executive since April 2008, when she was elected Federal Secretary of the Australian Nursing Federation.
ACTU Secretary Jeff Lawrence said he looked forward to working with Ms Kearney to advance the union movement's agenda in the lead-up to the federal election later this year.
"Everyone at the ACTU welcomes Ged aboard to continue the work that is well underway to prevent a return to WorkChoices under Tony Abbott and to deliver on our agenda to improve the lives of working Australians and their families," Mr Lawrence said.
Ms Kearney said she was honoured to be entrusted with such an important role.
"I am committed to representing the interests of working Australians and to making sure their voices are heard in public debates over our nation's future," she said.
"I intend to work with all unions, big and small, to put our agenda into action, grow the movement and achieve positive change for workers and their families."
