Leigh Hubbard was secretary of the Victorian Trades Hall Council for 10 years from 1995 to 2005, one of the most powerful trade union positions in Australia. During his time as Secretary he played a pivotal role in union battles with the Kennett government, the campaign to restore common law rights for injured workers, the 1998 Australian waterfront dispute, the battles over award rights for Victorians who had been "left in the lurch" with the transfer of Industrial Relations powers to the Commonwealth in 1996, the East Timor campaigns in 1999 in which he urged that troops be sent there, and the James Hardie campaign for compensation for victims of asbestos diseases.