Skip to main content
Regional secretary with the National Education Union
Why Britain should not support Aussie rightwinger for top job at OECD
Former finance minister Mathias Cormann’s anti-union and anti-environment track record is cause for concern, says TONY BURKE
Former Australian finance minister Mathias Cormann is in the frame

THE TUC has intervened in a row over the appointment of the new secretary-general of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) urging foreign secretary Dominic Raab not to support the Australian candidate Mathias Cormann, the former Australian finance minister who is being touted to take the job.

TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said she was concerned that Britain was preparing to vote for Cormann, who has a reputation for defending Australia’s mining interests, and on opposing urgent action on climate change and for his support for the anti-union agenda in Australia. 

She said Cormann’s appointment would set back the fight against poverty and the climate crisis. O’Grady also said it was time for a woman to take on the leadership of the organisation.

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
More from this author
GR
Global Routes / 25 June 2025
25 June 2025

This is a remarkable set of hop hip, salsa, reggae, soul, cumbia and traditional Mexican music finds TONY BURKE

GR
Album reviews / 23 June 2025
23 June 2025

New releases from Madalitso Band, Gabriel da Rosa, and Femi Kuti

TB
Music / 12 May 2025
12 May 2025

A New Awakening: Adventures In British Jazz 1966 - 1971, G3, and Buck Owens 

Platform working
Features / 5 May 2025
5 May 2025

TONY BURKE says an International Labour Conference next month will try for a new convention to protect often super-exploited workers providing services such as ride-hailing (taxis) such as Uber as well as fast food and package delivery

Similar stories
Protesters outside the Treasury this evening
Britain / 25 March 2025
25 March 2025
Chancellor Reeves' planned public spending cuts will ‘open the door’ for Reform UK, McDonnell warns as campaigners get set to rally outside the Treasury
Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau makes an announcement o
Features / 9 January 2025
9 January 2025
DAVE McKEE argues that Canadian unions should immediately organise to set the agenda before the next election, as monopoly capital is now rallying to the Conservative Party after Justin Trudeau’s political demise
VICTORY: Claudia Sheinbaum greets supporters in the Zocalo,
Features / 5 September 2024
5 September 2024
Labour Friends of Progressive Latin America’s TIM YOUNG looks at Morena’s landslide, where rolling back privatisation, boosting welfare and reclaiming national resources has transformed the country and rallied huge support