News Release

SA ELECTION A VICTORY FOR WORKERS

18 March 2006

South Australia's resounding endorsement of the Labor government is a win for workers and their hard won rights.

SA Unions Secretary, Janet Giles says Industrial Relations was one of the greatest points of difference between the government and the opposition.

"We are particularly delighted by the win by Justin Jarvis in the northern seat of Stuart.  SA Unions campaigned strongly in this electorate and we really regard this as a union win."

"While the parties frequently accused each other of copying policies, there was no such confusion regarding industrial relations.  Labor presented itself as the workers' friend and the Liberals presented themselves as the workers' foe", Ms Giles says.

"Workers had a clear choice - a Labor government would strive to protect South Australian workers and push on with a High Court challenge to the federal government's draconian industrial changes."

"By contrast, a Liberal government would abandon the High Court challenge, align itself with the federal agenda and try to reduce workers' entitlements by pushing them onto individual contracts".

"This election victory is a victory for workers and their families, a victory for the unions that unite these workers, and a victory for south Australia's economic and social progress," Ms Giles says.

"And it sends a strong message to Canberra - people don't like John Howard's industrial vandalism which is stripping them of their rights.  The federal government can expect a very tough campaign from SA Unions and the workers of South Australia in the lead up to the federal election", she says.

"SA Unions congratulates Mike Rann on this victory.  His efforts rebuilding South Australia after the disastrous reign of Olsen and Kerin can now be consolidated upon."