The PM called Sally McManus a giant of the labour movement. Now she just wants to go birding

After securing wage rises for low-paid workers, weathering death threats and working with three PMs – the ACTU secretary is ready for a break Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Sally McManus started her job as the country’s most powerful trade union leader amid howls of criticism. Shouted down for suggesting union members were right to break “unjust” industrial laws in a live TV interview, McManus quickly adjusted to the high-decibel work of being secretary of the Australian Council of Trade Unions. Now, nearly a decade later, she is ready to turn the volume down. “I’m looking forward to having a break,” McManus told Guardian Australia before handing over the job at the end of the month. “It’s been 33 years as a union official, 22 of them as a leader, and nine-and-a-half as ACTU secretary. It never stops.” McManus announced her departure last month, on the same day the ACTU president, Michele O’Neil, revealed plans to step down as well. Anthony Albanese described both – the first all-female leadership team in the ACTU’s 99-year history – as “giants of the labour movement”. McManus has helped reshape Aus