The SUA also took part in a wide range of social and political issues over the years, for example campaigning for Aboriginal rights, opposing apartheid in South Africa, opposing the Vietnam War, and participating in the nuclear disarmament movement. The SUA also took part in the black bans and boycotts of Dutch shipping, where the union movement of Australia worked to aid the nascent Indonesian Republic, in particular, ensuring that no tugs towed Dutch ships. These bans commenced in September 1945, and continued through to 1949. The union's longest serving leader was Eliot V. Elliott who led the SUA from 1941–1978.