Paul Howes

Recent Speaker

Secretary Australian Workers Union

February 17, 2010

Address to the National Press Club of Australia

Paul Howes first became noticed as a new voice on the Australian industrial and political scene when he made his first major speech at the National Press Club in Canberra two years ago, soon after becoming the National Secretary of The Australian Workers’ Union. 

In his 2008 speech  he raised for the first time important new policy ideas discussing wage growth, inflation, superannuation  and regional jobs growth.

Now two years later the leader of the country's oldest and most diverse union will discuss what must be done to secure good new jobs as we move out of the global financial crisis – and how we must protect our advantages in key export sectors, such as the resources industry.

Paul Howes, 28, is not only National Secretary of the 135,000 member Australian Workers’ Union,  one of the fastest growing unions in this country,  he is also a national vice-president of the Australian Council of Trade Unions. He serves on a number of Boards,  including as a director of the nation's largest superannuation fund AustralianSuper .

Paul is married to Lucy with two children, Sam and Zoe – and a third on the way.