At last, we have a Government!
It took 17 days to resolve the outcome of the Federal election, and like everyone else, I was transfixed by the drama as the cross-bench MPs weighed up the two alternatives.
I was glued to the television on Tuesday afternoon (thank God for ABC News 24), and it was with a huge sense of relief that we finally heard Rob Oakeshott utter those memorable words: “I will do what I have always done . . . and give confidence and supply to government, and in effect that means confidence and supply in Julia Gillard.”
What does this outcome mean for working Australians?
Well, we are certainly in almost uncharted territory. The last time Australia had a minority government of this type was during the Second World War (although they are commonplace at state and territory level).
I prefer to think optimistically that the independents have broken new ground in Australian politics. By choosing Labor, they have opted for stable and effective government, but also the only party that was offering real progressive policies in the election campaign.
The independents Tony Windsor, Rob Oakeshott and Andrew Wilkie – along with the Greens’ new MP, Adam Bandt – have voted for the future.
Their decision will allow the Gillard Government to continue pursuing its agenda on climate change, the national broadband network, decent hospital and health care wherever you live, better schools and training, a more compassionate nation, and, of course, a stronger economy that delivers job opportunities for all.
The independents and Greens have also secured reforms to the conduct of government and of Parliament that will strengthen our democracy, making it more transparent and accountable, and that is a good thing.
The Australian union movement looks forward to consulting with the independents and Greens on issues of mutual concern.
This will be particularly the case when the Senate changes next year, and the Greens assume the balance of power.
Working Australians will be relieved they are not facing a change to a Government led by Tony Abbott and the parties that brought in WorkChoices.
He showed during the election campaign that he was not read to govern and offered nothing for the future.
By contrast, Julia Gillard actually got rid of WorkChoices.
This election, we succeeded in getting a commitment from the Coalition to maintain fair work laws and not go back to WorkChoices. There is now a national consensus on rights at work.
But we can have a lot more confidence in Julia Gillard and Labor to protect and improve workplace rights, than we could ever have in the Coalition.
There is still a lot more to do in restoring and improving workers’ rights, and regardless of the balance of this new Government, we will continue pursuing improvements that promote protections in the open and global modern economy.
So, once again, hearty thanks to everyone involved in the Rights at Work community for your efforts during the election campaign.
Not only have we cemented fair work laws, but we now have a government that is best placed to provide decent and secure jobs, strong workplace rights, support for families, a sustainable economy and a tolerant and safe community.
Ged Kearney is President of the ACTU
R@W News is a forum for news, analysis and commentary about rights at work and related issues. The opinions presented in R@W News are those of the author, and do not necessarily represent policies or views of the ACTU.