Mining and Energy Union (MEU) General President Tony Maher has announced his retirement effective 31 December, marking the end of a remarkable 27-year tenure.
Grahame Kelly, currently the MEU’s General Secretary, will assume the role of General President from 1 January 2026.
Mr Maher has led the MEU—formerly the CFMEU Mining and Energy Division—since 1998.
He said the time was right to hand over leadership with the union’s independence established, growing membership, a strong governing body in place and substantial progress on key challenges of labour hire exploitation and support for energy workers.
Mr Maher said that leading the MEU had been the honour of his life:
“I’m proud that we have reshaped the Mining and Energy Union into a strong, independent union with growing membership and a dedicated leadership team.
“Today’s MEU traces its history back to the first trade unions in Australia formed in coal regions 170 years ago. We’ve always had tough employers with deep pockets; and our members have organised and fought for their rights, safety and living standards.
“I’ve done my best to continue our union’s long tradition of honest, militant and democratic trade unionism.
“I’m very pleased to be handing over to Grahame Kelly, who is hard-working and widely respected. With the experienced and talented Stephen Smyth beside him as General Vice President and a new General Secretary to be elected, I know the MEU will rise to future challenges and keep winning for members and all working people.”
General Secretary Grahame Kelly praised Mr Maher’s leadership:
“Tony Maher is a great trade unionist – strategic, gutsy and deeply committed to our members. His ability to break down complex challenges into achievable actions has helped our Union overcome hurdles that seemed insurmountable.
“Tony is the longest serving General President in the history of our Union. He is highly respected not only in the MEU, but also across the Australian and international union movements.
“He will be greatly missed, but he has provided a blueprint for leadership with courage and integrity that I will endeavour to uphold.”
ACTU Secretary Sally McManus said Mr Maher’s leadership had delivered major victories for workers:
“Tony Maher is one of the most respected union leaders in the country who has dedicated a lifetime to mining and energy industry workers who work in one of the most dangerous industries in the country.
“Tony has led with integrity and vision. He retires after more than 40 years in the movement on a real high, achieving significant pay increases for labour hire workers, transition support for communities and a growing union.
“Working people well beyond his union are benefiting from the reforms his union led, including the Same Job, Same Pay reforms implemented by the Albanese Government that benefit Australians from flight attendants to meat workers.”
Key achievements of Tony Maher’s leadership include:
- Establishing the MEU as an independent union after withdrawing from the CFMEU when amalgamation no longer served members’ interests.
- Driving Same Job Same Pay legislation to end the labour hire rort in mining, delivering $150 million in pay rises to coal miners so far.
- Maintaining high membership density across MEU coverage, ensuring strong bargaining outcomes for pay and conditions.
- Forming strategic alliances with the Australian Workers Union in metalliferous mining regions, notably to rebuild union power the Pilbara iron ore industry.
- Leading the trade union movement’s engagement on energy policy over decades, securing support for workers affected by the energy transition through the Net Zero Economy Authority.
- Steering mineworkers through the major industrial battles of the WorkChoices era, which led to years-long, nationally significant strikes and lockouts over union rights in the mining industry.
Mr Maher will continue as Chair of Safe Work Australia and as a board member of the Net Zero Economy Authority—roles that are held independent of the union.
Under a succession plan endorsed by MEU Central Council this week, Grahame Kelly will be appointed as General President on 1 January 2026, in line with MEU rules. An election will then be held to fill the General Secretary position. Stephen Smyth remains in the position of General Vice President. MEU general elections for all positions will be held in 2028.
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