She was arguably the most politically effective union leader in a generation, securing a historic sweep of workplace reforms. Yet Sally McManus leaves the ACTU facing the same existential crisis she inherited.

The ACTU’s second-longest serving leadership pair, Sally McManus and Michele O’Neil, will leave within months as unions grapple with the rise of One Nation.

Sally McManus and Michele O’Neil are the longest-serving leaders since 1969, but believe a fresh team is needed to deal with new challenges including AI.