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This paper examines industrial disputes during the Rudd-Gillard political era. Claims made in the public arena implying a steep rise in the volume of disputes are tested. The analyses of other academic researchers are updated in the light of a longer run of data being now available. Among other things, it is found that during the entirety of the Rudd-Gillard era the (per-quarter) volume of disputes was proportionately larger during the second half of the era than during the first half. Also, during the time that the Work Choices Act was operative, the (per-quarter) volume of disputes was around half of that experienced during the Rudd-Gillard era. A different perspective on these data is gleaned, however, when making longer-term comparisons. Two preceding political eras are compared: the Howard Era of 1996-2007 and the Hawke-Keating era of 1983-1996. In its entirety, the Rudd-Gillard era registered a far lower volume of disputes than that registered in the earlier eras. The long term (three-decade) decline in the volume and frequency of disputes is noted and a number of hypothesised explanatory factors are discussed. Keywords: Industrial Disputes; Strikes; Fair Work Act (2009); Rudd; Gillard, 'A fly before his own eye is bigger than an elephant in the next field'-- Chinese proverb INTRODUCTION The Australian Labor Party (ALP) came to office after the December 2007 [...]

This article chiefly traces the rise and fall of an idea. (1) Between 1945 and 1975, there was strong support for the notion that isolated Northern Australia was the most [...]

The actual influence of the Tasmanian forests issue on the outcome of the 2004 federal election is analyzed, along with the competing claims about its impact. The policy adopted by the Australian Labor Party (ALP) did not yield an electoral benefit, and hence it is investigated whether a policy more amenable to forest industry interests, would have provided a better electoral outcome.

There has been a sharp increase in the numbers of skilled migrants sponsored by employers on long-stay temporary entry visas (subclass 457). Several trade unions and the Australian Labor Party [...]

The Western Australian election of 26 February 2005 is discussed. The Labor party maintained its majority in the Assembly and also won additional seats in the Council.

Political commentators argue that the major political parties are in decline. This article sets out evidence for this view: minor parties and independents securing 20 percent of the vote at federal elections, declining strength of voters' party identification, and issue movements playing a large role in setting the political agenda. Possible causes for these trends range from the political, such as policy failure, undermining traditional constituencies, and ignoring public opinion, to sociological forces, such as postmaterialism, individualism and serious disaffection. However, the article argues Labor and the Coalition will be the dominant political players for the foreseeable future. In most lower houses, the electoral system favours the major parties which on balance is a good thing. The major parties have taken concerns of interest groups into account, while balancing these against majority opinion. They simplify choice for an electorate only moderately interested in politics, and can be held accountable in a way minor parties and independents cannot.

Results obtained from the 1993 elections reveal influences on voting for the Australian Labor Party (ALP) were about the same at the 1996 elections. The only difference found was at the local level, where influences played an important part. Voting behaviors changed according to local economic influences and ethnicity. Researchers also found the existence of an anti-Asian effect on voting., Multilevel modelling of individual survey data from the 1996 Australian Election Study and aggregate contextual Census data is used to investigate the extent of spatial variations in voting at the [...]

The campaigns leading up to the March 1996 general elections in Australia avoided economic issues such as the budget deficit and economic reform plans and instead focused on republican and immigration matters. The opposition Liberal Party had been out of power for 14 years, but the Labor Party had run out of options in its economic reforms because addressing the budget deficit would tend to alienate labor unions. The Liberal Party won a slim margin in the popular voting and formed a coalition with the National Party, appointing John Howard prime minister.