The decision of three independents and the Greens to support a minority Labor Government has been universally welcomed by Australian unions.
The national peak body, the ACTU, said the independents had broken new ground in Australian politics.
“The continuation of a Labor Government offers political stability and a ready-made platform to build upon stronger rights and services for working people and their families throughout Australia,” said ACTU Secretary Jeff Lawrence.
“Working Australians will be relieved they are not facing a change to a Government led by Tony Abbott and the parties which brought in WorkChoices.”
The Australian Workers’ Union said its members in regional and rural Australia would benefit from the renewed focus on infrastructure and services outside the major cities.
“This election result will secure good jobs in regional and remote Australia. It will create new, long-term jobs for regional and remote Australia,” said AWU National Secretary Paul Howes.
He added: “While the focus on investing in the regions is especially important for the AWU the re-election and continuation of a Labor Government in Canberra has also ensured that there will be no return to the hated WorkChoices laws of the Liberal Party.”
The formation of a minority Labor Government was positive news for the public sector, said the Community and Public Sector Union.
“Most public sector workers were deeply concerned by the Coalition plans to cut 12,000 public service jobs and to cut funding through an increased efficiency dividend,” said CPSU National Secretary Nadine Flood.
“So this outcome has provided relief. There is no doubt the Coalition’s cuts would have reduced essential services to many thousands of Australians.
“Now more than ever, Australia needs a confident, properly funded and forward-looking public sector that can deliver high quality policy, services and jobs.
“The onus is now on the new Gillard Government to provide strong leadership which will bring Australia together and deliver meaningful and positive public sector reform.”
The Australian Nursing Federation said nurses and midwives would welcome the opportunity to work with the new Labor Government towards much-needed reform of Australia’s healthcare system.
“The ANF looks forward to a constructive working relationship with the new government. We will continue to support reform in the areas of primary health and work to improve access and health outcomes for people in the community, particularly in rural and remote areas,” said Federal Secretary Lee Thomas.
The Transport Workers Union said the re-election of Labor should see progress in a system of safe rates for truck drivers.
“Earlier this year, the PM said that she would put out an options paper on safe rates and we look forward to that discussion. Tony Windsor has backed safe rates in the past, and we will be talking to other cross-benches to ensure this piece of urgent legislation is passed,” said the TWU’s National Secretary Tony Sheldon.
The Maritime Union of Australia also focussed on industry-specific issues, calling on the new Government to move quickly on national shipping reform and a high-level stevedoring safety task force.
“For maritime workers a Gillard Government means our two key, long fought for government policy commitments - Australian shipping and national safety regulation in stevedoring are once again back on track,” said National Secretary Paddy Crumlin. “But there is more work ahead. None of the independents has given Labor a blank cheque and the union will need to renew its lobbying to ensure the policies are delivered.”
The National Secretary of the CFMEU’s Construction and General division, Dave Noonan, said it was clear the days of WorkChoices were over.
He said the CFMEU took issue with Labor over the delay in getting rid of the Australian Building and Construction Commission, but Labor had also made welcome announcements during the campaign about protecting worker entitlements.
“The union will always call it as we see it – regardless of which political party is in power,” Noonan said.
“And we will continue to fight for ‘one law for all’ and not stop until this objective is achieved. Although it may be a government by minority, we now have the opportunity to continue to make progress.”
Mark Phillips is ACTU media co-ordinator
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.