Michael’s track record speaks for itself. Across multiple rounds of enterprise bargaining, he has delivered tangible, hard-won gains for members, combining strategic insight with disciplined, effective negotiation. At a time of significant pressure and opportunity in our sector, his leadership provides both clarity and confidence.

What sets Michael apart is his tireless dedication to our union and its members. He leads from the front, energising campaigns, supporting Branch leaders, and ensuring members are informed, organised and empowered. His collaborative approach builds unity while maintaining a sharp focus on outcomes.

Michael works collaboratively with Branch leaders, union staff and members, ensuring a united and democratic approach to campaigns and negotiations. He has also shown decisive leadership in enforcement, achieving important legal wins that protect members’ conditions and workloads. His investment in developing member leadership continues to strengthen our collective voice.

Michael is an outstanding leader with the skill, credibility, passion and drive to deliver for members. I fully support his re-election.

When we were pushed to the brink in bargaining – resisting management’s attempts to gut redundancies, remove protections, destroy our working and teaching conditions – Michael was there at the bargaining table going toe-to-toe with management’s FIFO corporate lawyer. Michael helped us win better protections, salaries, and secure jobs for staff.

Michael doesn’t just talk about doing something. He does it, and has done it. Michael is with us in the trenches every day from Cairns to Coolangatta. He cares about the work that we do, the communities we serve, and the workers who make this sector function: professional and academic, regional and metro, from sandstone to sandy beaches.

Michael makes our Branch, our Division, our Union – and you – stronger and more powerful. Help keep it that way.

Michael McNally has consistently demonstrated exactly that. As the current Division Secretary, he brings extensive knowledge of both the sector and industrial relations, backed by a proven record of effective leadership. Under his guidance, branches across Queensland have grown in strength and adaptability, positioning themselves to respond to both local and national challenges.

Michael’s leadership has been instrumental in reshaping our organising and campaigning approach—most notably through building robust delegate structures and embedding strategic planning. This work has put us in a far stronger position to secure meaningful outcomes in the current round of enterprise bargaining, and is now influencing practice across the country.

At this critical juncture, the NTEU needs proven expertise, clear direction, and continuity. Michael McNally is uniquely qualified to provide all three, and remains the strongest choice for Division Secretary.

A couple of rounds ago we were close to deadlock with management until Michael came in and guided the process to a good outcome for our members.

Michael is deeply committed to democratic participation of members in the union and to building members’ capacity to increase union power in the workplace across all our branches, through better training, education, and organizing.

Michael knows every level of the union, from being a casual member to the national leadership. He is experienced, inclusive, generous, and collegial as well as a gifted strategist and leader. The Queensland Division needs these qualities as we face another challenging few years.

Michael has always been very supportive of the regional branches and his experience as both a branch organiser and an industrial officer means his advice and guidance comes from a place of knowing how things work on the ground.  

For the last year and a half, I have been a National Council representative for JCU and in this capacity I have worked with Michael more closely at QLD Divisional and National Council meetings. I have been impressed by his leadership and his ability to get things done. I support Michael in running for re-election and encourage you to vote for him.

Michael has led a fundamental transformation across the Division from a historic servicing agenda towards a dynamic growth agenda. We have embraced this change at QUT, and the result is a stronger, more organised, and more connected Branch. QUT Branch has entered the current round of bargaining in the best shape it has ever been. While the achievements of implementing this change belong to the members of the QUT Branch, without Michael’s unwavering support and guidance, this task would have been exceedingly difficult. Michael has likewise offered resources, encouragement, and support to several key Branch initiatives, including the recent Workload Day of Action and Save Our Science campaigns. Both have contributed to dramatic growth in our numbers and influence, and the momentum of the bargaining campaign continues to reach new heights.

At a national level, Michael has always championed the interests of Queensland NTEU members and staff, while balancing these within a broader national agenda. Michael not only works to ensure that our working conditions are protected but also serves as a member of the UniSuper Advisory Board, where his efforts help safeguard our retirement savings.

In summary, Michael has a strong ethical foundation, is guided by fairness, and possesses a tremendous work ethic. Above all, he is fully committed to me, to you, and to our union.

Now is not the time for untested radical leadership. As such, I offer my full support to Michael McNally and encourage you to do likewise.

As Chair of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy Committee, Queensland Division Vice-President (Academic), Branch Committee member at UQ, and a member of National Executive, I have had the opportunity to work closely with Michael across a range of union matters at both state and national levels. Through this work, I have seen firsthand his inclusive and values-driven approach to leadership. Michael takes the time to listen, engage respectfully, and ensure that diverse voices are heard and represented in union discussions and decision-making. His leadership is grounded in a genuine commitment to fairness, equity and collective action, and he has consistently demonstrated strong support for member representation and the advancement of equity within our union and across our universities.
Michael has consistently demonstrated a willingness to listen to and engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members on issues affecting our communities. He understands that Indigenous staff often carry cultural, community and institutional responsibilities that are not always recognised within traditional workplace frameworks. Rather than viewing these issues as separate from the union’s core business, he recognises them as fundamental to achieving fairness, equity and inclusion in our workplaces. Through both his actions and advocacy, he has supported efforts to ensure Indigenous perspectives are represented within union discussions and has recognised the importance of creating opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff to participate and lead within our workplaces and our union.
Throughout my time working alongside Michael, I have found him to be a consistent supporter of initiatives that strengthen Indigenous participation and representation within the union. He has demonstrated a genuine commitment to creating opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff, including supporting Indigenous employment and ensuring Indigenous perspectives are heard and respected within union structures and discussions.
Michael brings extensive industrial, organisational and leadership experience to his role. He is thoughtful, principled and deeply committed to the values of solidarity and collective action. Drawing on his extensive experience within the union movement, he takes a collaborative and member-focused approach to advocacy, understanding the challenges facing university staff and the importance of achieving meaningful outcomes. Importantly, he approaches difficult issues with integrity and a willingness to engage constructively to find solutions that strengthen working conditions while ensuring that those who have historically been underrepresented are not left behind.
I have greatly valued the opportunity to work alongside Michael at both the division and national levels of our union. His commitment to members, inclusive approach to leadership, and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members and staff make him an outstanding candidate for re-election as Queensland Division Secretary. I am confident that he will continue to provide strong, principled and inclusive leadership for NTEU members across Queensland, and I strongly support his re-election and encourage members to do the same.

He has demonstrated quality leadership and management within the Queensland Division, guiding the Division through both routine operations and challenging circumstances with professionalism and a clear commitment to members.

Michael has also fostered productive relationships across the union, including with the CQU branch. His collaborative approach, accessibility, and willingness to engage constructively with members and colleagues have contributed significantly to positive outcomes for the union.

A strength of Michael’s is his ability to understand and navigate the complexities of multiple enterprise agreements. He has consistently demonstrated a comprehensive understanding of industrial frameworks and has been highly effective in representing the interests of staff. Importantly, his knowledge extends across all areas of the university workforce, including professional staff matters, reflecting his commitment to ensuring all members are represented and supported.

Michael also possesses a sophisticated understanding of university finances, governance, and the broader higher education sector. This expertise has been recognised at the highest levels of the union, including through his appointment to the UniSuper Board by the NTEU’s National leadership. This appointment reflects the confidence placed in his judgement, expertise, and ability to contribute effectively to significant governance responsibilities.

I am happy to be recommending Michael. He is a capable, respected, and highly effective leader whose knowledge, integrity, and commitment make him exceptionally deserving of this nomination.

Michael has my full support in his campaign for QLD Division Secretary because I have seen first hand how he builds strength in our branches and contributes to all aspects of the union from inducting and developing skills in branch leaders to delivering on everyday member issues.

Within the union, Michael is collaborative, member-oriented, and has consistently demonstrated  he will advocate for and lead on issues of importance.

Michael has a strong track record of fighting for  diversity and representation in our union and in our sector.

I’ve seen him do this many times. He’s thorough, strategic and doesn’t back down.

In the previous round of bargaining  at Griffith University, management tried to divide professional staff from academics on pay. Michael pushed back and secured the same improvements for professional staff.

Michael is hard-working, always collaborative and genuinely committed to supporting members. He listens, follows through and puts members first.

For strong, experienced advocacy that delivers results for professional staff, vote Michael.

Michael leads a team that provides holistic training on delegate essentials, supporting colleagues, understanding university reports and organising to win. The refreshed approach to organising has led to a substantial increase in engagement with the current round of enterprise bargaining and, among the bargaining team, improved ability to present claims that address priority staff issues. He has created opportunities for collaboration across branches in SE Queensland which build union capacity and power.

Michael encouraged me to speak at rallies and workplace meetings sharing professional staff perspectives and mentored me at National Council. Michael is knowledgeable, approachable and is a pair of safe hands for building on the positive effects of the new approach to union organising.

He is one of those rare leaders who combines deep industrial knowledge with a genuine connection to members. Whether he is speaking with a long-standing activist, a new delegate, an academic or a professional staff member, Michael listens, engages and makes people feel that their voice matters.

Michael has been at the forefront of some of the most important industrial campaigns in our sector, helping members organise, take collective action and win improvements to pay and conditions. These successes have come from his belief that the strength of our union comes from empowered members and strong workplace delegate structures. He invests in people, builds confidence in others, and helps create the next generation of union leaders.

At a time when universities are under increasing pressure and staff are being asked to do more with less, we need experienced, energetic and values-driven leadership. Michael brings passion, integrity and an unwavering commitment to fighting for members. He has earned the respect of colleagues across Queensland, and nationally, because he never loses sight of why we do this work: to improve the lives of working people and build a stronger, fairer university sector.

If we want a stronger, more active and more influential union, we need leaders who build collective power, Michael has spent his career doing exactly that.

I have seen how Michael listens to members’ concerns and is aware of the unique challenges that face both academic and professional staff, providing quality advice and guidance on a range of complex issues.

Furthermore, Michael always brings strong leadership skills to National Council, facilitating collaboration through caucus and speaking on behalf of members with authenticity and clear conviction.
On a personal level, Michael has always welcomed me and my family at union events such as Labour Day and has always made us feel welcome and part of our NTEU community. I am happy to provide this endorsement for his continued leadership in this role.

Michael’s guidance around strategy – setting the right goals and how to achieve them – has always been invaluable, and his passion to drive change in the higher ed sector is infectious and motivating.

In the rapid-fire caucusing at National Council, Michael’s guidance in setting the context and mapping the impacts of motions on the floor enable productive conversations and a sense of shared decision-making – a valuable leadership skill in this situation.

Michael has worked hard to help build the organising capacity of Qld branches and implement structures for better workplace representation – both of which will make the union much stronger in the future. He has regularly provided very valuable financial analysis of our university budget and has been prepared to be personally involved in bargaining negotiations when needed.

Michael is strongly committed to the NTEU’s role in advocating for workers’ rights within the sector and defending the value of public education.

He has been a tireless ally for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members of our Union, helping to implement the Ten Point Plan for a Post Treaty Union for all of our members. He is an active listener and learner in our spaces, which is commendable.

This year sees many of our universities fighting for better conditions and wages through the latest round of Enterprise Bargaining negotiations. There is no one I would rather have at the helm, fighting for all of us, than Michael McNally.