The Times Australia
The Times World News

.

What Albanese needs to build a new industrial relations consensus

  • Written by Mark Bray, Emeritus professor, University of Newcastle

A few weeks before his election victory, Anthony Albanese made an important speech[1] to the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He talked of “socially inclusive growth – the kind of growth that is only possible with economic reform that lifts productivity”.

But how to do it?

Albanese’s answer was a good one: greater co-operation.

He harked back to the consensus approach of the Hawke Labor government, which after its 1983 victory brought together different interest groups to find common ground on how to produce more from the same inputs, enabling higher wages while protecting profits. Albanese said:

We must rediscover the spirit of consensus that Bob Hawke used to bring together governments, trade unions, businesses and civil society around shared aims of growth and job creation.

Now he’s prime minister his ambition[2] to revive Hawke’s approach seems to be catching on.

Business Council of Australia chief executive Jennifer Westacott, for one, has spoken of the need for[3] “co-operation between business, government and workers” to address issues such as labour shortages.

But consensus and co-operation are much easier to talk about than to achieve, especially in a political and industrial relations system as adversarial as Australia’s.

We’ve been researching co-operation at work for many years, including publishing a book about it[4] in 2017. What our research tells us is that achieving co-operation at work requires real and practical goals; time and trust; inclusive structures for decision-making; and strong leadership at national, industry and enterprise levels.

Only by heeding these lessons does the Albanese government have a chance to achieve its ambitions, and secure a legacy to match that of Hawke’s.

More than a summit

In terms of national leadership, it is especially important for Albanese to be staunch in his commitment to improving political behaviour[5].

Bringing together business and union leaders is a good start. But it’s only a start. During Labor’s last period in office, Kevin Rudd brought together 1,000 delegates for his “Australia 2020” convention in 2008. It is best remembered for what didn’t happen afterwards.

Australia's prime minister Kevin Rudd addresses the 2020 summit in Canberra, April 19 2008.
Australia’s prime minister Kevin Rudd addresses the 2020 summit in Canberra, April 19 2008. Alan Porritt/AAP

For the Hawke government, the National Economic Summit held a month after its election in 1983 was just one element in its consensus-building efforts.

Another element was the Prices and Incomes Accord[6] formalised between the government and the Australian Council of Trade Unions. Under the Accord, unions tempered industrial action in pursuit of higher wages, in exchange for the government improving the “social wage” (such as through introducing Medicare).

Read more: Australian politics explainer: the Prices and Incomes Accord[7]

The Hawke government also established three bodies bringing employer, union and government representatives together to advance commitments made at the summit and subsequently.

These were the Economic Planning Advisory Council, the Advisory Committee on Prices and Incomes, and the Australian Manufacturing Council. They were critical in supporting the Accord and the agreements that gave effect to it (the last covering 1993-1996).

The Albanese government can’t just replicate this template – what worked in the 1980s and 1990s will not necessarily suit today. But it will certainly need processes and structures to ensure regular dialogue between stakeholders at the national level, and in ways promoting genuine co-operation.

Anthony Albanese with Bob Hawke Albanese in September 2016 at the launch of Albanese's biography.
Anthony Albanese with Bob Hawke Albanese in September 2016 at the launch of Albanese’s biography. Mick Tsikas/AAP

Read more: What I learned from Bob Hawke: economics isn't an end itself. There has to be a social benefit[8]

Industry plans could drive lasting change

One area for Albanese to leave a real legacy is to entrench greater co-operation at the industry level through industry councils: tripartite bodies bringing together government, employers and union representatives.

In the 1980s and 1990s, sector-based industry training councils and industry training advisory boards helped to design and implement competency-based vocational education and training.

Industry councils could be helpful now in guiding spending priorities for Labor’s proposed National Reconstruction Fund[9], a $15 billion pool to invest in industries that can provide jobs and prosperity.

Just handing out money will not work. We need industry plans on which government, employers and employees agree. This is important not just for manufacturing but sectors such as aged care and child care.

Skills for enterprise-level co-operation

At the level of individual enterprises, especially larger ones, effective co-operation requires good faith and leadership from both managers and union representatives.

It requires training in effective commmunication skills. Neither managers nor worker representatives necessarily know how to co-operate. They need success stories to emulate, and skills to overcome the adversarial attitudes entrenched by experience.

Our research also shows that third-party facilitation, such as that provided by the Fair Work Commission under its Co-operative Workplaces program[10], is vital for workplace parties who are unfamiliar with co-operative ways.

A legacy worth leaving

Fostering the co-operation needed to deliver inclusive growth will require overcoming a history of bad habits and soured relationships at the enterprise, industry and national levels.

This is rarely easy, so getting help from independent third-parties is necessary, especially at the industry and workplace levels.

If Albanese’s government can put in place the structures needed at all three levels, it has a chance of leaving a legacy as significant as its Labor predecessors.

References

  1. ^ an important speech (anthonyalbanese.com.au)
  2. ^ ambition (www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au)
  3. ^ the need for (www.theage.com.au)
  4. ^ book about it (federationpress.com.au)
  5. ^ improving political behaviour (theconversation.com)
  6. ^ Prices and Incomes Accord (insidestory.org.au)
  7. ^ Australian politics explainer: the Prices and Incomes Accord (theconversation.com)
  8. ^ What I learned from Bob Hawke: economics isn't an end itself. There has to be a social benefit (theconversation.com)
  9. ^ National Reconstruction Fund (www.alp.org.au)
  10. ^ Co-operative Workplaces program (www.fwc.gov.au)

Read more https://theconversation.com/what-albanese-needs-to-build-a-new-industrial-relations-consensus-184633

Times Magazine

Building a Strong Online Presence with Katoomba Web Design

Katoomba web design is more than just creating a website that looks good—it’s about building an online presence that reflects your brand, engages your audience, and drives results. For local businesses in the Blue Mountains, a well-designed website a...

September Sunset Polo

International Polo Tour To Bridge Historic Sport, Life-Changing Philanthropy, and Breath-Taking Beauty On Saturday, September 6th, history will be made as the International Polo Tour (IPT), a sports leader headquartered here in South Florida...

5 Ways Microsoft Fabric Simplifies Your Data Analytics Workflow

In today's data-driven world, businesses are constantly seeking ways to streamline their data analytics processes. The sheer volume and complexity of data can be overwhelming, often leading to bottlenecks and inefficiencies. Enter the innovative da...

7 Questions to Ask Before You Sign IT Support Companies in Sydney

Choosing an IT partner can feel like buying an insurance policy you hope you never need. The right choice keeps your team productive, your data safe, and your budget predictable. The wrong choice shows up as slow tickets, surprise bills, and risky sh...

Choosing the Right Legal Aid Lawyer in Sutherland Shire: Key Considerations

Legal aid services play an essential role in ensuring access to justice for all. For people in the Sutherland Shire who may not have the financial means to pay for private legal assistance, legal aid ensures that everyone has access to representa...

Watercolor vs. Oil vs. Digital: Which Medium Fits Your Pet's Personality?

When it comes to immortalizing your pet’s unique personality in art, choosing the right medium is essential. Each artistic medium, whether watercolor, oil, or digital, has distinct qualities that can bring out the spirit of your furry friend in dif...

The Times Features

NSW has a new fashion sector strategy – but a sustainable industry needs a federally legislated response

The New South Wales government recently announced the launch of the NSW Fashion Sector Strategy, 2025–28[1]. The strategy, developed in partnership with the Australian Fashion ...

From Garden to Gift: Why Roses Make the Perfect Present

Think back to the last time you gave or received flowers. Chances are, roses were part of the bunch, or maybe they were the whole bunch.   Roses tend to leave an impression. Even ...

Do I have insomnia? 5 reasons why you might not

Even a single night of sleep trouble can feel distressing and lonely. You toss and turn, stare at the ceiling, and wonder how you’ll cope tomorrow. No wonder many people star...

Wedding Photography Trends You Need to Know (Before You Regret Your Album)

Your wedding album should be a timeless keepsake, not something you cringe at years later. Trends may come and go, but choosing the right wedding photography approach ensures your ...

Can you say no to your doctor using an AI scribe?

Doctors’ offices were once private. But increasingly, artificial intelligence (AI) scribes (also known as digital scribes) are listening in. These tools can record and trans...

There’s a new vaccine for pneumococcal disease in Australia. Here’s what to know

The Australian government announced last week there’s a new vaccine[1] for pneumococcal disease on the National Immunisation Program for all children. This vaccine replaces pr...