Melissa Donnelly

Melissa Donnelly
Donnelly in 2024 as National Secretary of the CPSU
11th Secretary of the ACTU
Incumbent
Assumed office 28 August 2026
President	Michele O'Neil
Preceded by	Sally McManus
National Secretary of the Community and Public Sector Union
In office 2019–2026
President	Beth Vincent-Pietsch
Preceded by	Nadine Flood
Personal details
Born	1982 (age 43–44)
Party	Labor
Education	Macquarie University (LLB)
Occupation	Union official
Profession	Lawyer
[1]

Melissa Donnelly (born 1982) is an Australian trade unionist currently serving as the secretary of the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU). Prior to assuming her role with the ACTU, Donnelly was the National Secretary of the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU).^[2][1][3]

Career

Donnelly was the CPSU's youngest ever national secretary, as well as the third woman and the first working mother to hold the role.^[4]

Donnelly was first elevated to the role, following tenure in the union's legal and industrial relations team and its Executive Committee, when former National Secretary Nadine Flood resigned for health reasons in 2019.^[5][6] Donnelly was reelected to the position in December 2023.^[7]

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, Donnelly was responsible for championing a "groundbreaking" Work from home deal with the Australian Public Sector Commission in 2023 which allows public sector employees to seek unlimited working from home flexibility arrangements.^[8][9][10]

Donnelly was elected unopposed as secretary of the ACTU following the resignation of Sally McManus in August 2026.^[11][12][13]

Donnelly has served as a member of the Australian Labor Party National Executive since 2023.^[14][15]

References

1. "Unions appoint new ACTU Secretary-elect". actu.org.au. Australian Council of Trade Unions. Retrieved 7 September 2026.
2. Tribune, The National (10 October 2019). "New CPSU National Secretary appointed". The National Tribune. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
3. Muroi, Millie (10 August 2026). "The 44-year-old working mother soon to lead the union movement". Nine Entertainment Co. Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 7 September 2026.
4. Director, Institute; [e-mail] (4 June 2021). "Melissa Donnelly". Global Institute for Women's Leadership. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
5. Easton, Stephen (10 October 2019). "Melissa Donnelly appointed acting Community and Public Sector Union national secretary". The Mandarin. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
6. "'Expect us to be a champion': CPSU appoints youngest ever national secretary". The Canberra Times. 13 October 2019. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
7. "CPSU 'voted for unity' with national president chosen". The Canberra Times. 13 December 2023. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
8. "Work-from-home deal 'groundbreaking', but business groups warn of CBD 'death knell'". ABC News. 13 July 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
9. "Public sector agrees to uncapped WFH days". Australian Financial Review. 11 July 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
10. Thompson, Angus (9 April 2023). "The WFH deal that challenges the future of office culture". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
11. Kelly, Cait (10 August 2026). "New head of Australian trade union movement named after Sally McManus steps down". Guardian Australia. Archived from the original on 10 August 2026. Retrieved 11 August 2026.
12. "Meet Melissa Donnelly - the new secretary of the ACTU". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. ABC News. 3 September 2026. Retrieved 7 September 2026.
13. Marin-Guzman, David (10 August 2026). "'Just do it, Mum': Melissa Donnelly the youngest ACTU boss in 20 years". Nine Entertainment Co. Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 7 September 2026.
14. "National Executive". alp.org.au. Australian Labor Party. Retrieved 7 September 2026.
15. "Ms Melissa Donnelly". Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation. Australian Government. Retrieved 7 September 2026.