With Labor governments in four states and in Canberra, one of the more distinctive features to emerge so far has been the difference in style and direction between the various state and federal policies and governments. While any definitive assessment is not possible, sufficient time has passed for some critical review of Labor's responses to government and the economic crisis. In the following four articles, the characteristics of the governments in Canberra, Victoria and Western Australia are examined in an initial assessment of Labor's performance so far. pro-US performances of an Australian Labor Prime Minister, somewhat offset by Bill Hayden's cautious determin­ ation to carve out an independent Australian position w ith in the American alliance. This difference of emphasis and policy between Hawke and Hayden on international affairs could well become a significant issue within the government. While Hayden is cautious, even conservative, on many foreign-policy issues (and along with Hawke is willing to sell out East Timor in the name of not angering Indonesia), he is genuinely committed to Australia having an independent role in foreign affairs within the framework of accepting the American alliance. Hawke, on the other hand, clearly wants Australia to accept virtually every US action and point of view in world affairs, either through agreement with US policy or because he does not want to provoke the US • The government's shabby and into destabilising his government. unprincipled treatment of David Combe was a major disappointment. Either way, his pronouncements on international issues are hardly distinguishable from Fraser's and, so In one sense, this formula is itself a far, he has only been kept in check by policy, though Hawke has so far given Hayden, the caucus and Labor's it remarkably little substance and policies. content other than the watering down and overturning of official Labor On some important issues, the policy. It should be noted that, unlike government has delivered on its most Labor leaders, and much of the promises, notably over the Franklin left, Hawke recognises the power and dam, the setting up of Medicare, appeal of a general concept, if it taps raising the dole (slightly), appointing some need and feeling among people. an ambassador for disarmament (though the government's stand on ■ ■ nlike the Whitlam government, Although the Hawke victory did not this issue is timid, and somewhat M t the Hawke government did not generate the same heady hopes and undermined by its uranium decision), come to power on the crest of a high expectations as the Whitlam victory, Hawke's performance has moving for some electoral reforms, wave of hope and desire for change and a bill of rights, introducing anti- backed and influenced by significant disillusioned and dismayed many ALP members and supporters in a discrimination legislation (even if independent mass movements such as watered down in certain respects), and the movement against the Viet Nam remarkably short time. Hawke's granting Aboriginal land rights at war and the then young and growing personal standing in the wider Uluru, covering Ayers Rock. women's and environmental community is still very high, but in the movements. Nor did it offer a vision of ALP branches and the organised m II of these moves show the value far-reaching reforms in the grand style labour movement, there is ^ ■ o f Labor governments com- of Whitlam, though many of the ALP’s considerable antipathy to Hawke w u pared with Liberal/National 1983 policies are better thought-out personally, and disappointment with ones, as well as providing new space than in 1972. the line taken so far by the majority in and levers for progressive social In only one key policy area, Cabinet and caucus. movements which wish to campaign unemployment, did Hawke offer a rontrunners in the disappoint­ for more radical policies. A different vision of a clear alternative, and that ment stakes are the government's example of the value of Labor issue is, and will remain, a key test of F shabby and unprincipled governments over Liberal ones was the his government's performance. treatment of David Combe (and its government's release of the report, However, Hawke did offer a vision of amazingly naive handling of ASIO suppressed by Fraser for 18 months, a different style and approach to during the whole affair), the recent which showed that foliage from Laos discussing and determining policies: caucus decision over uranium mining, claimed to have been affected by his "national reconciliation and and the abandoning of Labor's policy Soviet-supplied "yellow rain" was, in consensus" formula which, it must be on East Timor in the name of not fact, a fake. said, probably had a lot of attraction for offending Indonesia. Yet, while the government will be many voters, including the swinging In foreign policy generally, Hawke judged by many according to its voters of the middle ground. has put in one of the most slavishly performance on various particular

18 A u s t r a l i a n L e f t R e v ie w 86 •Hawke confronted by anti-uranium demonstrators in Sydney recently. The federal Labor government's uranium stance has been another disappointment. issues, the manner and timing of its have, but otherwise Hawke and wider labour movement. coming to power inevitably make its Keating showed very little Hawke and Keating reportedly handling of the economy the central independence from the standard argued that Labor first had to establish issue for most. Treasury line. (In response to a its "responsible" credentials with It is here that the government's question from former Treasurer business before getting on with greatest failing shows bright and clear: Howard the day after the Budget, Labor's more far-reaching reforms. its lack of any long-term strategy for a Keating proudly told Parliament that This argument was accepted by centre sustained economic recovery which he'd read and agreed with every line of forces such as Finance Minister provides jobs for all who want them, Budget Paper No. 2. This is traditional ly Dawkins and Industrial Relations and tackles the crippling economic where Treasury sets out its own views Minister Willis, who apparently wanted and social imbalances produced by the about economic prospects and a biggerdeficitand more expansionary current crisis. policies, and in several places there are policies, but agreed to go along with The only "strategy" — if such it can clear digs at, and disagreements with, the Hawke/Keating line for the time be called — of Hawke and Treasurer official Labor policy.) being — until the 1984 Budget. Keating is to manage the crisis with This Hawke/Keating "strategy", first fairly standard and even conservative ■ n fact, Hawke ana Keating nave expressed through their obsession economic techniques while hoping for ■ effectively changed Labor's about the Budget deficit, has virtually "something better to turn up" by way f economic policies, or at least the blinded them to vital issues such as of a US-led world economic recovery. government's priorities for real job creation, a coherent industry- Some reforms and mild redistribut­ implementing them. For the moment, development policy, and a strategy for ive measures have been thrown into they've got away with it, despite the handling the new wave of job- this mix, and Labor went for a bigger many useful opposition noises from displacing technology which will be Budget deficit than the Liberals would important sections of the ALP and the set in motion by any economic

A L R S u m m e r 8 3 19 recovery. One can only conclude from around the financial institutions These are admittedly difficult and Hawke's mid-year scathing remarks looking for the most profitable complex issues and it would take time about the British Labour Party, that investment. to develop a coherent and workable such long-term issues are only Social control, it was argued, does policy, let alone carry it out. (And, let's considered by Utopians lying under not necessarily mean outright socialist face it, no one in the labor movement banyan trees. measures or nationalisations, which has yet developed detailed policy Ken Davidson, economics editor of are neither the ALP’s platform, nor its proposals.) T h e A g e , consistently and election mandate. It would mean, he problem is that the dominant persuasively argued against the however, government requirements forces in Cabinet do not seem at Hawke/Keating line on the Budget that certain portions of the funds held all concerned to even deficit, and put the case for a larger by financial institutions should be T investigate such issues, let alone deficit based on Keynesian ideas of invested in new job-creating develop more detailed policies. raising the demand for goods and industries, or at the very least be made services by an expansionary policy However, there are encouraging available at low interest rates for those signs that the left and some centre which would lift the purchasing power wishing to set up such industries. of those who really need it. forces within the government have recognised both the government's lack ome unions have, in the past, avidson pointed out that of a policy and their own lack of an raised the issue of how super­ whatever economic recovery is alternative to raise in caucus, the party annuation funds are used. taking place in the US results S and the wider labour movement. There D These funds are a form of saving by from Keynesian-type policies of tax is growing recognition of the need to workers, yet those workers have no say cuts, big defence spending and large work on an alternative economic in how the funds are used. More deficits, not from pursuing the strategy which can focus the debate control by unions and worker monetarist line which the Reaganites over the weaknesses in the representatives would be a step have now abandoned. government's current strategies. towards ensuring better use of super (Nothing could more expose the This is an issue which should involve funds for socially useful purposes, anti-social contradictions of capitalist the broad left in the whole labour rather than for speculative purposes or economics than that the latest US movement, and in which different as another source of funds for big worry is whether the recovery is now sections and groupings should companies. getting out of hand and should be contribute views and proposals. Leads A related issue is the funding of the slowed down to prevent it from on what can be done have been given government's own Budget deficit. producing a new surge in interest rates by the Metal Workers Union in Socialist economist Ted Wheelwright, — not because it's producing too many publications such as Australia Ripped speaking after the Budget, at a Marxist jobs, which it certainly isn't.) Off, and by the Victorian branch of the Forum seminar in Sydney, backed up A key measure of Mr Hawke's Railways Union with its proposals for the call by former Labor Treasurer Jim performance on economic policy is his its own industry, the public railways. Cairns, that the deficit should be own statement in his pre-election funded by borrowings from the he ALP/ACTU Accord on policy speech that the "first and Reserve Bank. Economic Policy still remains foremost" issue is "the right of every This could mean much lower interest the major focus for mass work Australian to a job". T rates being paid on the public debt around alternative proposals, and for riting in ALR just after the than the current usurious ones paid to further development of alternatives. March 5 election, I comm­ private lending bodies. It would also Many of the commitments and ideas in ented that " .... even Labor's mean that the government's own bank the Accord have yet to be fully worthy and difficult aim of creating would earn the profits, rather than the implemented, and there will inevitably 500,000 jobs in three years will only private sector. be struggles inside and outside the lower unemployment 'by a couple of These are just some of the many government over how, and how percent’, leaving it at 8 percent in three Dossible measures which the quickly, it should be implemented. years' time, assuming no further government could take within its There are also different interpretations economic decline". current policy platform and of the Accord's provisions. Since then, the picture has become philosophy, and to fully implement its So far, the left has not popularised even bleaker, with a government election promises. Those in the labour and publicised enough some key report forecasting, and key ministers movement who take seriously the provisions in the Accord. W ithout more such as Mr Willis conceding, that "right of every Australian to a job" developed mass understanding of unemployment rates of around 10 to 11 should press vigorously for the these, rightwing forces in the percent could continue for quite some government to adopt such measures if government will probably win such time. And Mr Hawke has made yet current government policies and the struggles over interpretation and more murmurings about society current economic system fail to deliver implementation. recognising the alternative lifestylers that right. The growing support for a tax reform as one way of tackling the The government's ability to deliver campaign by the labour movement unemployment problem .... on some key promises is also severely could be a significant first step to The March ALR article argued that hampered by the absence so far of a overcoming these problems. the right to a job for all was most coherent industry-development unlikely to be achieved if the "free policy, and of a worked-out approach market" were left unchecked and to the introduction of job-destroying uncontrolled. Further, that the central technology and, more generally, to the Brian Aarons is a member of the ALR issue was some social control over the possible effects of new high- editorial collective and is a national vast amounts of capital slopping technology industries. officer of the communist party.

20 A u s t r a l i a n L e f t R e v ie w 86 Yet electoral pragmatism is only one aspect of a government which would have to be the most radical of any in Australia. Discussing ALP politics in Sydney and Melbourne is like discussing two different parties which, fact, they are, in large part. The Victorian ALP is far more ideological and committed across all party factions than is the case in NSW. The Centre Unity are dismissed as grubby Australian Labor Party opportunists by many on the left, yet it is one of that faction, Rob Jolly, who, with Cain, put the most radical economic perspective heard at the SMS4 Economic Summit. It is David White, * * also from that faction, who has worked with left unions to establish industrial democracy mechanisms in the State Electricity Commission of Victoria (SECV), as Steve Crabb, another Life Under Labor • 2 Centre Unity member has allowed in the transport industry. Unlike the Right, the Centre Unity is committed to significant policies of reform. They represent the traditional •Part of Morwell Power Station. position of social democratic forces; Industrial democracy mechanisms that is, achievable social reforms won have been established in the SECV. via parliamentary power.

Although, clearly, the ALP victory evertheless, factional battles represented a significant break with do emerge and the Centre the past, the small "\" liberalism of the N Unity is not happy with its Hamer government also broke with xhe position in the government following •Ian Fehring & reactionary, populist and corrupt years the forced resignation of Bill of Bolte's rule, although the hangovers Landeryou and the election of Jim •Linda of that time left Hamer with a steady Kennan over a Centre Unity candidate stream of scandals and division which, for the vacant Cabinet position. in the end, destroyed his government. Landeryou's resignation was Rubinstein necessary to keep the government's m m et Hamer had sowed some image of squeaky clean incorruptibility ■ M 1 hen John Cain finished his important ground in areas of intact. l# l# speech at last April's rally for § enlightened social ideas and Along with the commitment to WW nuclear disarmament, he uroan planning which created the efficiency is one to more open decision received a standing ovation from most climate for a future Labor government. making and another to greater social of the 60,000 listeners. The Cain government, in its equality — goals which, to some not On seeing this, a NSW friend emphasis on projecting seriousness, inconsiderable extent, have been remarked that if Neville Wran had sobriety and realism, has avoided achieved. spoken at such an occasion there appearing to be too much of a radical The Cain government has would have been a demonstration break with the past, while the Liberals' advocated, and to a significant extent against him. imcompetence is an added bonus. pursued, an expansionary neo- -To a certain extent, the applause The replacement of Frank Wilkes by Keynesian economic policy which reflected the popularity of the state John Cain as ALP leader signalled the meets with approval not only from the government's legislation declaring party's determination to win the 1981 unions and the ALP left and centre left Victoria nuclear free, but it also election, and to reject the in-fighting but, given the high concentration of indicated the general level of support and doctrinal purism of the past. demand-sensitive manufacturing for the Cain government throughout Cain and his key ministers have industry in Victoria, from sections of the community. taken significant heed of Wran'sway of capital as well. This is reflected in its Eighteen months after the election of doing things, particularly his useof the continuing honeymoon with the the first Victorian Labor government in media to project an image of youth and powerful Melbourne Age. (One 27 years, its popularity is still high, the dynamism. In Victoria, this involved concern in the government about the media and employers have favourably more than Cain; he was joined by Steve Fairfax take-over of the Age is that this received its second Budget, it has won Crabb, Rob Jolly, Tom Roper and honeymoon could be abruptly a number of by-electionsconvincingly, David White, all bright young (or terminated.) and its standing in the party and the youngish) men committed to change The economic stimulus provided in trade union movement is substantial. but with a pragmatism necessary to the two Jolly budgets seems to be What's behind Cain's seemingly magic reassure a nervous electorate in the having an effsct, with economic touch? Liberals' traditional jewel. indicators such as employment,

ALR Sum m er 8 3 21 •Bob Hawke at Federal Unions Conference, February 1983. To Hawke's right is Johi. Maynes of the FCU. The hostility to Hawke within the Victorian ALP is more deep seated than many would realise. This is strengthened by the belief of many on the left that Hawke is behind moves to reaffiliate the four NCC unions to the Labor Parly as a master plan to win control of the state branch for the Centre Unity.

housing approvals and consumer popularity, such as opposing the left which values having a government spending showing Victoria to be ahead Victorian Football League's attempt to whose policies can be counterposed to of the national average. move the Grand Final from the those of the federal government. Melbourne Cricket Ground.to the The hostility to Hawke within the ain understands very well the inaccessible and marshy VFL Park at Victorian ALP is far more deep -seated need to maintain electoral Waverley, or the civic reception than many would realise. This is Cpopularity, ahd has placed a accorded to marathon runner Cliff strengthened by the belief of many on great deal of emphasis on media Young. There is nothing particularly the left-that Hawke is behind moves to image. The maintenance of a central innovative about this approach — it is, reaffiliate the four National Civic pool of media staff ratherthan allowing of course, very much a populist Council (NCC) unions to the Labor each minister to employ a press officer strategy, and one which most political Party — the clerks, shop assistants, ensures a co-ordinated media leaders try; some, such as Malcolm ironworkers and carpenters and approach, whereby ministers don't Fraser, with notably less success. joiners. This is seen as a master plan compete with each other, thus While great efforts are made to win developed by Hawke to win control of ensuring that an image is kept before and maintain support from the state branch for the Centre Unity the public of a young, dynamic team traditionally Liberal-supporting and to displace the left. doing things. groups in Victoria, Cain has also This has also allowed a carefully recognised the need to maintain hile the whole party has been packaged delivery of impending support from his own constituency, the permeated with the euphoria government decision to pre-warn the party itself, and the unions. Bearing in of being in government after public. By askilful use of media "leaks" mind that the left is stronger in the 27 years, it is cognisant of the need to and ministerial statements the public is Victorian ALP than in any other state, ensure that it is not a one-term gradually introduced to change. This the government's success in avoiding government. The general harmony has assists the image of the Cain open party conflict, or any serious been achieved by very conscious government as one of well thought out dispute with unions is remarkable efforts from Cain and his ministers to and planned responses. It is not a (although the next few months could fulfil the expectations of the labour government which has appeared to be see that start to crack as a result of movement and to ensure that panicked into hasty actions, unlike its cutbacks in health, education and consultation takes place, avoiding the federal counterpart. transport, and a restructuring of frustration created when party activists The government has effectively priorities). believe they are being locked out of taken up issues which cost little, but Cain is assisted by the very strong decision making. which have enormous community hostility to Hawke from the Victorian Cain takes very seriously the role of

22 Australian Left Review 86 policy committees. Each minister is nuclear power generation in Victoria. that is, to prevent ministers fighting requried to meet with the party policy The cynic may be right, but the real intolerably among themselves, and to committee, and to discuss proposals political issue is that the broader present an appearance of equity. While before they are implemented (for movement has not responded to the this approach might be unavoidable at instance, each minister brought positive reforms. It is allowing the this time, there needs to be far more budget estimates to their policy political pressure to be borne by the debate about the criteria by which committees during State Budget government which will become tired of priorities are determined, and how preparations). As well as providing the load. scarce resources should be allocated genuine consultation, this practice Clearly, the Cain government is to avoid simply continuing the old also locks the committees into genuinely committed to reform; what's ways of doing things. government decisions and minimises lacking is a strong movement which These discussions are occurring, dissent after the event. would enable the government to carry but they are not systematic. The Cain's commitment to consensus out those reforms which have been problem is a lack of perspective and goes beyond the party to the blocked by the Upper House on behalf adequate public explanation. Already, involvement of the broader political of business interests. this is leading to protests in high movement, such as unions and various spending areas like health and n part, the absence of this community groups, in major policy education which could allow unions movement reflects the weakness of and community groups to form an decisions. the left within the parliamentary It is an effective strategy, / oppositional bloc. party, and particularly within Cabinet, demonstrated most graphically in the where its position could perhaps be In conclusion, it is clear that the Cain breach, such as recent cuts to compared with that of the communists government has thrown up some children's services without in the French government — they have important issues for the left. Its consideration of the findings of a major child care review. Clearly, the Cain government is genuinely committed to he government has taken reform; what's lacking is a strong movement which would significant initiatives in areas of enable the government to carry out those reforms .... T particular concern to the trade union movement, including employment protection, technological change, workers' compensation and occupational health and safety. The legislation introduced by the government in these areas has largely coincided with ALP policy and the views of the trade union movement, a place so long as there is no attempt to election represented a major defeat for and represents important reforms move outside the established traditional conservative political which do not eat into state revenue. In parameters. forces. It is a government committed to all these areas, the legislation is about Th.s problem is compounded by tne implementing policies developed by increasing the rights and powers of traditional views of many trade unions the party and the broader labour workers, particularly those most to non-industrial issues. An attitude of movement. vulnerable, such as redundant and "leave it to the politicians" helps to It is also, however, a government injured workers. create something of a vacuum. dominated by social democratic Both the employment protection Essentially, what is missing is a long­ notions of reform. It can be expected to legislation and the workers' term strategic perspective of reform. pursue and attempt to implement the compensation amendments were Rather, there is a tendency to be ALP platform which brought it to rejected by the state's Upper House, somewhat piecemeal in approach, power, but this cannot be achieved where the Opposition has a majority. particularly in the sensitive areas of without a deeper understanding and Cynics might say that rejection revenue raising and expenditure cuts. commitment to the issues outside enabled the government to appear to It is in these areas that the greatest parliament. be trying to make significant reforms political courage is needed, but also For the left, the government without having to wear the political flak where the groundwork is imperative. represents a major challenge. Whethr of legislation strongly opposed by Without a concerted campaign to the left can develop the mass political business. The same may well be true build support for the long-term pressure and policies to take this of the occupational health and safety priorities of the government, the government forward, with the legislation where employers are demands of well-established and possibility of winning a significant shift campaigning heavily against the powerful conservative interest groups in the political balance of forces is proposed vesting in union safety will prevail. Such groups are oy no open, but unresolved. The responsibility for that delegates of the right to issue means confined to business interests, prohibition notices against unsafe but include the AMA and public service development rests directly with the broader left and, in particular, with the work practices. mandarins. left within the trade unions and the A cynic might also ask whether The imposition of a two percent on Victoria would have been declared all departments, in preference to a ALP. ______Ian Fehring is a Melbourne lawyer nuclear-free if there were uranium priority review of all government and Linda Rubinstein is a trade union deposits in the state, although the expenditure so that spending could be nuclear-free legislation has aborted targeted in line with Labor's objectives, officer. Linda is a member of the feasibility studies by the SECV into was necessary for political reasons; national committee of the communist party.

ALR S u m m e r 83 23 spending was 16 percent over the previous year — compared with 19 percent for the Fraser budget of the year before. This table also reveals that Fraser's last budget was brought down with an eye to the upcoming election. It was more expansionary than the budget of 1980-1 when expenditure only increased by 14 percent. The Hawke government's commit­ ment to Medicare is also revealed by this table. Outlays on health decreased by 20 percent between 1980-81 and 1981-82 but then increased by 18 percent. The present budget proposes an increase of 25 percent. On other social welfare issues, the differences between the two governments are not so clear. Social security expenditure responds largely to the number of Life Under Labor • 3 beneficiaries, although the present budget raised the level of receipts to some beneficiaries and sought to redistribute them away from higher wealth-holders (e.g. some old age •Sydney's Tasmanian Wilderness pensioners). Housing expenditure has shop decked out to celebrate the not risen by as much as it did under Hawke government's decision to stop Fraser while urban and regional the damming of the Franklin. development is about the same as the two-year average for the Fraser little. However, As Anne Summers has budget. Education spending has suggested, this is not so much because increased by less than for the two the government has been inactive, but previous years. However, this is a good because the press has handled most of example of the importance of the it in a low key fashion and the left content of expenditure rather than the (those with whom we discuss the amount. The Fraser government meaning of politics) considerthat what subsidised private school pupils at a has been done is not enough. higher rate than it did public school •ChiI la Bulbeck The Franklin was saved; a wages anti pupils. The Hawke government is incomes policy adopted; the East redressing that gross inequity. Timor situation improved; Medicare is ■ M B hen Labor won government in undergoing its stormy passage It is sometimes argued that a Labor 1 /1 # Western Australia a few bare through parliament; the Economic government should spend more on W W weeks before the federal Summit was held and EPAC welfare and less on subsidies to the victory, a flurry of interventions established; extra legislation against private sector and the repressive followed — culminating in the mini­ tax evasion has been introduced; apparatuses of the states than liberal budget series in late June. The Karri Senator Susan Ryan is announcing governments. The redistribution of forest Shannon River Basin was saved, plans for "cottage-industry" commitment away from law and order the Fremantle-Perth railway line was communes for the unemployed; Mick is shown by a fall from a 25 percent to a reopened, discussions with industry Young, before his resignation, had set 17 percent increase. A redirection of and the development of a micro­ in train a whole series of investigations • expenditure is more obvious with electronics industry in Perth began. In on the funding of election campaigns, assistance to secondary industry June, the Premier, Mr. Burke, four-year terms for parliament and so which has actually fallen in absolute announced a series of measures to on; Senator Gareth Evans had terms after rising by 21 percent and 12 redistribute the burden of state gathered representatives of the states percent. expenses from the less well off to the together to discuss various legal better off. At one end, low income Nevertheless, the budget is not reforms. Some of these strategies are clearly a labor document. It reflects the earners and welfare recipients were still "in the wind". Nonetheless, there is offered much reduced electricity commitment of the government to considerable activity. However, is that containing the deficit to the magical charges (in comparison with the activity sufficiently radical?' Liberal government's subsidies to $9.5 billion while still allowing some ALCOA). At the other end of the scale I J | # hen the federal budget was redistribution of expenditure within was the much publicised announce­ WmWf brought down in August, even those constraints. ment of public service pay cuts, of the capitalist press reacted Should the budget have been more which the Premier's was the greatest. with criticism of its non-expansionary expansionary. Should there have been By comparison, the federal nature. This can be seen from the table more welfare and economic government appears to have done very below where the increase in proposed initiatives?

24 A u s t r a l i a n L e f t R e v ie w 86 •Counting votes at the 1983 ACTU Congress. If the unions do not present a coherent policy and a united front, EPAC will be used against the left — just as corporatism has been used against the left in Britain. ritics of the Hawke government industries (e.g. textiles and footwear) to government departments, to the say yes. However, they are to die while providing retraining and universities and other tertiary C comparing the actual re-employment for those thrown out of institutions. Knowledge about how the government with an ideal socialist, or work; it will require massive economy is performing and how it at least social democratic, restructuring of industry; it will require could better perform must become government. The Hawke government a larger budget deficit. their right. Only with information to is found wanting because it has not I believe that if the Hawke match that of the capitalists can the introduced a major socialisation of the government does not do this, it will labour movement use EPAC to achieve means of production, redistribution of lose government in the near future. its goals. income, and so on. Some critics hope Unemployment will continue to rise — Additionally, the unions must that the Hawke government is as more industries are exposed to present a united front. They will need consciously moving slowly in order not overseas competition and more to settle on policies which redistribute to frighten the electorate (and big companies move offshore to cheap wages (e.g. flat rate rather than business), in order to stay in power for labour havens in south-east Asia. percentage increases) and for a number of terms. Softly, softly, Economic activity will continue to particular sections of the workforce — catchee monkey .... decline, eroding the tax base and women, migrants, those displaced by If, indeed, this is the strategy, it is therefore the redistributive potential of technology. They must also deal with fraught with pitfalls. At certain stages the government. the issues of unemployment and an choices will have to be made between 'he Hawke government has appropriate social wage. Economics sections of business and the labor created forums for the labour and welfare cannot be separated. movement. The economic cake is Tment, e.g. EPAC (Economic If the unions do not present a shrinking and the knife that cuts it must Policy Advisory Council). Possibly for coherent policy and a united front, be wielded with ever more delicacy. the first time in Australia's history, EPAC will be used against the left — Some commentators (e.g. Dow, unions have a legitimate place in policy just as corporatism has been used Australian Society, February 1983) making. However, this is an against the left in Britain. argue that the only solution is to make unaccustomed role for unions; their This is a unique opportunity for the the cake grow again. Only an leaders could be swamped by union movement to shape economic expanding economy will avert the fight government and business. In order to restructuring. It s hould not be lost over distribution. However, economic exploit the full potential of this forum because of unpreparedness, internal expansion requires a vigorous the unions must take up a position; in bickering and lack of vision. intervention into economic policy order to do this they will require better making. It will require investment by and different information from that the government in the economy; it will which they have now. They must Chilla Buibeck is a lecturer at Griffith require allowing the inefficient demand access to company records, University, Brisbane.

ALR Su m m er 8 3 25 ebc Graphix Redback

Life Under Labor • 4

• Port Kembla steelworker.

rolling on. I think most people on the ongoing and very substantial loss ot •Ken Kirby job realise that it hasn't happened so jobs in the steel industry. The far; all that's happened so far is that our government didn't really prevent any he prices and incomes accord wages haven't moved. Now that we've retrenchments at Port Kembla; they and the government's recently got this national wage package they moved after the company had already T announced steel industry plan have started to move again, but done its stuff. What jobs were saved, will significantly affect steel workers nothing's been done about the prices were saved as a result of the rolling employed by the BHP. In October Mike or anything like that. I think most stoppages campaigns directed and Donaldson talked to Ken Kirby, a fitter people know of the existence of the controlled by the delegates. So, forthe at the Australian Iron and Steel Port accord, but think that it was one of company, they've done a job; for the Kembla Steelworks, and a member of those documents which was flaunted workers, they've done nothing as yet. the AMFSU Committee of Manage­ around, and that now it's been put into ment for the South Coast, about the the too hard basket to gather dust like What did Hawke actually promise Labor government and its Prime so many other things. I think that if ydu steelworkers before he was elected? Minister. went and asked them, they would know what you're talking about but they'd Hawke said at a meeting of the What do steelworkers generally think also know that it's not working; it's just Ironworkers' national council that he of the prices and incomes accord? something people talk about. would guarantee a viable steel industry What has the Labor government done and that there would be no further In my particular work area I held a for the steel industry? retrenchments. While he might have meeting to explain it. The workers' appeared to siop tne retrenchments by general understanding of it is that it So far, I think all they have done is offering the company more money, hasn't worked, I think. The accord that they have "saved" the industry, and while he might have kept his stated that the government and the from the BHP's point of view, that is. promise of making a viable steel unions would have a prices and They've propped it up so that it can industry, once again I say that he incomes accord, where they're continue to make a profit. But, for the hasn't done anything for the workers. supposed to do something about workers who are left in the industry, Jobs are still being lost to the indsutry, prices and the general condition of they've really done nothing at all. They and the communities in which thesteel workers, as well as peg the wages at a haven't improved conditions for us in plants are located are going to level so that the industries can keep any way; there is still going to be an continue to suffer. What he's done is

26 A u s t r a l i a n L e f t R e v ie w 86 that he's using workers' money to accounts, order books, investment When we were going down to develop a high technology super plans. I'm not too happy about the Canberra just after Hawke was elected efficient steel industry which is going person whom the ACTU has chosen to to meet Button and the government, to to adversely affect the communities in represent the unions, either. He's not try to save the last round of which it is situated because there will from the industry, not even from one of retrenchments, I was trying to stir up a be mass unemployment. Hawke hasn't the steel regions. bit of action on the job to get different looked past that, to see alternative telexes and that sent to Hawke saying: What has this steel plan done for plans for the people. you promised to do something about it, Hawke's credibility on the job? let's do it now before the company The government says that it is not I think most people think it's a good reaches their levels which they long paying the assistance to the Steel thing. On the job, they see it as the right ago decided that they wanted jobs to Division of the BHP. Where is it going? thing for Hawke to do, but I think that 'be reduced to. Overwhelmingly, they most people there see it from a narrow believed the whole election campaign It's going to the customers of the point of view. They know there will be thing and thought he was going to be steel division, as I understand it, the no more retrenchments, but they don't God. I was getting quite a few heated people who buy steel from the BHP. see it in an overall picture. In Port arguments with blokes saying, "Christ, They're going to be paid a bounty for Kembla, the company has destroyed he's only been in power ten minutes buying the steel. While it mightn't be 7,000 jobs, one-third of the jobs in the and you want him to do something going to the primary producer of steel, steel works, and at least as many again straight away. Give the man time, he's it's certainly going to the BHP outside it. Workers tend not to think of going to do it, he'll come through". But subsidiaries which buy steel from what it will be like in the future, what we didn't have time to sit back on our them, which is the same thing. Places will happen to their kids, about the area backsides; time was of the essence; we like Tubemakers and Comsteel buy the steel from the steelworks and make it into something else; they get a bounty, But now the honeymoon's over people are starting to realise but are actually owned by the BHP. What is really rank is that many of these that it's just another government. Of course, he's just won two companies receiving the bounties are grand finals and the America's Cup all on his own, and that's BHP subsidiaries and affiliates, and are helped him a bit (but he lost on the Caulfield Cup). not covered under the no more retrenchments agreement. These workers are under threat of the sack, from what I've been told. The bosses are always saying to them that if they don't get such and such an order, if productivity drops below a certain which they're going to live in, and couldn't let him do it in his own time. level because of the economic whim of really, probably, die in. They don't look But now the honeymoon's over; the market, they'll retrench if they have at it like that, they only think about it in people are starting to realise that it's to. As I said, they haven't been offered the short term. There's been a lot of just another government. Of course, any job security, even though they're hype about the whole thing. It's been he's just won two grand finals and the still participating in the plan and even pushed by the government, pushed by America's Cup all on his own, and though they're owned by the BHP. the company, and in one way the that's helped him a bit (but he lost on unions have fallen down, they haven't the Caulfield Cup). He's been putting What about the Steel Industry pushed a critical line hard enough, himself forward and there'd be f> Authority that has been set up under taken an alternate view. certain group who would still think h the Steel Plan? could walk on water, but it's died o ft's What do the steelworkers with whom great deal. That's the way i p ~ ' < it, I'm deeply sceptical of this Steel you work think of the Labor anyway. Though, of course, e-sryone Industry Authority. Let's face it, it's government in general, and of Hawke reckons that Fraser was a lot worse assumed that the company, the in particular? than Hawke , which is good to hear. workers and the government can come Some people still think that Bob Hawke together for the benefit of all three Three months ago they thought he is a socialist, and that he will do the sort parties. Well, maybe that would was the saviour; now they've got a view of things that Whitlam set out to do, but of him as just about the same as all happen if the three were equally that he's no mug. Where Gough failed, weighted, but the labour movement is politicians, and have the same distrust everyone reckons, is that he tried to at a severe disadvantage in situations for him, I think. They think this for a introduce these things too quickly, got such as where it is under-resourced number of reasons, and they're not everybody off-side, and lost. Whereas and not as well informed. The always right in their assumptions, they think that Bob Hawke is going to government has no guarantee that the either, but he's now slipped back into take his time, get everyone on side, and information which the company will the mould of just an ordinary old sneak it in while no one's looking. You provide to the authority — and that's politician; he's not going to be a know, how can you sneak things up on the only place from which information saviour; he's done a few good things, multinational corporations? You can't. can come — will be accurate and and done a few bad things. He's got a honest. How are people on the better public image than Fraser ever authority going to know when they're had, and so he scores points on that, being fed a line? The government but now most look on him as just hasn't put into place any legislation another politician, doing the same which guarantees access to company thing as the rest.

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