FOR MEDIA 24 JUNE 1979
ELECTORATE TALK
This past week has been a lesson for the Australian nation.
We hnave seen the country brought to the brink of
inadustrial chaos. We have seen the whole continent
fazing virtual paralysis.
Fcor a great nation to be faced with such a situation has
shzcked Australians who might well have asked: " Why should
we * rv to tear ourselves apart in this way?"
But just at a time when the situation seemed at its most
hz-eles the determined efforts of men of goodwill
brought results.
What this past week's events have proved beyond any doubt
Is that if men with responsibility put the interests of
this nation first then every problem facing this nation
can be solved.
We have heard a good deal in the past about union bashing.
This Goverrnent has been accused of wanting to bash unions.
There have been wild accusations of Governments seeking
to encourage and provoke industrial disputes in order, so it
is alleged, to gain political advantage. These accusations
are based on the most dangerous nonsense.
T'he people of Australia know only too well who suffers in
,= nes of strikes and industrial disruption. No-one escapes.
Everyone is a victim: the working men and women of Australia,
the old, the sick, the young, the disadvantaged, the poor.
Business can be made bankrupt. Small businessmen in
~-~ ol~ arwho haven't got%-vast resources to cushion them
againstC heavy losses are the ones who can suffer most.
-s against this background of the heavy loss to the nation
as a wno7le that this Governument views with the gravest
concern any action by any union which could lead to
industrial disruption.
In the lengthy discussions I have had this week with leaders
of the Australian Council of Trade Unions it became obvious
that efforts at conciliation can succeed even though the
outlook might seem dark and pessimistic. / 2
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The representatives of the Australian Council of Trade Unions
camne to the conference table in Canberra with a job -to do.
As representatives of the industrial movement they were
concerned at what they regarded as a threat to the right
of assembly. As a Government we were able to sit down and
have a sensible discussion with them. There was no
grandstanding. The meeting produced results. Bans and
threats to blockade Western Australia and to stop vital
exports were lifted. It was a fine example of the way relations
ought to be conducted between the union movement and the
Government. This is\ the lesson we should all have learned this week.
Reckless uhion action no longer has a valid place in the
Australian industrial scene. The costs are too high for
tn4s nation to bear. The sufferingsby ordinary people
are too great. The damage to industry is too severe.
We h'-ave achieved much in this country in the past three years
in -a etting right the economy. There are difficulties ahead.
For MAustralia to improve further her present position great
eff,' ort.-s must be made. We can see how the industrialised
nations overseas are facing new and serious economic problems.
In -this climate it is all the more important, all the
more imperative for Australia to maintain its battle against
inflation, to pursue relentlessly the economic course we
have taken.
At a time like this it would be a national disaster for
trade unions to embark on a policy of industrial disruption.
We have in Australia a long-established and elaborate
industrial conciliation and arbitration system. The machinery
is there for all industrial disputes to be solved.
It is through that system that industrial disputes can
and should be solved. There are still problems to be dealt
with. One of these concerns the differences which can arise
bazween State and Feder& 1 awards. That is why this week
th'e Federal Government offered to explore the possibility
of States referring to the Federal Government the States'
powers in industrial affairs, if only for a trial period.
In so many disputes,-people believe the Federal Government has
p-7.7e and resnonsibility when in fact the Dower and responsibility
presently belongs to the State.
T~ of ths Government is to achieve industrial peace
tnscounitry. We know, as all Australians know, that only
-througn industrial peace can the people of this country achieve
the prosperity thef seek. The people of: Australia are sick and
tired of strikes and stoppages, of hold-ups and lost pay.
There is another way. A much better way. This Government will
pursue that way with all the strength and influence at its
disposal. I ask all Australians to follow us along the path
to industrial peace. It is a time for all Australians to work
together. 000---