Abstract
In this chapter, I analyse the Australian Labor Party’s (ALP) embrace of neoliberal policies under the governments of Bob Hawke (1983–91) and Paul Keating (1991–96). The ALP of the 1980s had come to have a leadership committed to pro-market reform, much like the 1980s Labour government in New Zealand and the 1990s Labour government in Britain. However, the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) maintained an influence within its historic party, which the unions of New Zealand and Britain both lost within theirs. I analyse how this influence affected policy outcomes, particularly within the realm of industrial relations. Through the relationship with Labor governments known as the Accord, the ACTU obtained a temporary ‘breathing space’ from the results of financial deregulation which New Zealand unions did not obtain during the 1980s and which British unions did not obtain under Tony Blair.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
