Luke Hilakari, Victorian Trades Hall Council Secretary, has called for a significant change in Victoria to lead the way toward a republic.

Mr Hilakari is calling for:

• Changes to the Constitution Act 1975, to remove all references to the monarchy
• The removal of the crown from Victoria’s official badge and coat of arms
• A new flag for Victoria, that removes both the crown and the Union Jack which feature on the current design
• The modernisation of state parliamentary rituals to remove references to the monarchy.

Union members have hit the street of Wangaratta, Benalla and Wodonga this week, speaking to local residents about penalty rates and urging Indi MP Cathy McGowan to vote to protect penalty rates in Parliament.

In the coming weeks, a push to protect penalty rates in legislation will be introduced to Parliament. Cathy McGowan has an opportunity to vote with Labor, the Greens, and other cross-benchers to support the move, but has so far indicated she will not.

Victorian Trades Hall Council is appalled by today’s ruling from the full bench of the Federal Court, which limits the ability of health and safety representatives to take action that makes workplaces safer and ultimately saves lives, in favour of allowing the ABCC and Turnbull Government to pursue their ideological crusade against union members.

The Trades Hall and Literary Institute (THLI), managing body for Victorian Trades Hall, can confirm it is undergoing significant repairs and restoration to the oldest continuously working Trades Hall building in the world.

These repairs have been delayed until the expiry of the current lease of the Bella Union Bar.

Cranes in the Sky, Shovels in the Ground and Food on Tables

Victorian Trades Hall Council (VTHC) welcomes the Andrews Government’s strong focus on jobs in its third budget.

The Andrews Government has created over 200,000 jobs since winning government and VTHC Secretary Luke Hilakari congratulates the Premier on work done to date. 

Major infrastructure projects are expected to create 50,000 jobs and VTHC welcomes the focus on public transport, particularly for regional Victoria.

The pipeline of infrastructure works also shows the Andrews Labor Government’s commitment to long-term projects and a plan for Victoria’s future.

1 February 2017 

Victorian Trades Hall Council thanks Dave Oliver for his 30 years of service to Australian working people, and wishes him well in his next steps.

Secretary of Victorian Trades Hall Council, Luke Hilakari, praised Mr Oliver’s life of dedication and commitment to working families across Australia, and particularly in Victoria.

 Victorian unions have reacted with anger and disbelief over reports that the Turnbull Government is considering laws to ban working people from expressing political opinions at polling booths.

Victorian Trades Hall Council has declared today’s announcement that French owner ENGIE will close Hazelwood power station a “call to action”.

Victorian Trades Hall Council has used the centenary of workers’ victory over conscription to take a swipe at the Federal Government’s plan for a plebiscite on Marriage Equality. 

12 September 2016

Trades Hall has called for WorkSafe to cancel the 2016 WorkSafe Agent Awards out of respect for injured workers, following the release of the Victorian Ombudsman’s report into the management of injured workers compensation claims.