The Australian public has totally rejected ‘WorkChoices’ and the Liberal and National parties’ vicious attack on unions and workers’ rights.

This is an historic election result that confirms the Australian people believe in a fair go for all and that all Australian workers are entitled to decent rights in the workplace.

This election was a referendum on industrial relations and WorkChoices has clearly been a major vote shifter. The Australian people have said that they want their rights at work protected and respected. The Liberal Party and their supporters in the business community should respect this decision, and never again attempt the kind of policy extremism we have seen under the Howard Government.

EXIT POLL RESULTS

Exit polling for the Australian Council of Trade Unions conducted by Essential Research across Australia has found that the Liberal party’s attack on Australian unions and workers rights has been totally rejected by voters.  The poll also shows that the issue of industrial relations has been a major factor in the defeat of the Howard Government.

The poll of 415 voters conducted between 3pm and 6pm on Sunday found:

• IR was among the most important issues for almost eight out of ten Labor voters. Of the people who voted Labor, 45% said IR was the most important issue, and 33% said it was one of the most important issues.
• When asked whether the Liberal’s advertising attacking unions made any difference to the way they voted – 76% said it made no difference, and 20% said it made a difference.   Only 5% of voters said it was more likely to make them vote Liberal, while 12% said it was more likely to make them vote Labor.

We can be justly proud of the overwhelming success of our “Your Rights at Work” campaign which confirms the effectiveness of unions in protecting the rights of members.

The Senate is still on a knife-edge with the possible result that the Coalition may be able to block the repeal of Workchoices with the support of one of the minority parties. Alternatively, there may be a move by it to dilute Labor’s legislation in the Senate.

The fight to defend our rights at work may therefore not yet be over!