Union giant Tony Maher has announced he is retiring after almost three decades at the helm of the Mining and Energy Union.

Grahame Kelly, currently the MEU general secretary will assume the role from January 2026.

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.