UnionsACT has today welcomed the re-election of the pro-worker Labor-Greens government.
The election campaign was fought on the issues of affordable health care, well-funded public services and infrastructure for the future.
Union members mobilised in unprecedented numbers over the past three months, engaging in a highly targeted, data-driven campaign that saw volunteers have personal conversations with undecided voters.
Throughout the election, voters were wary of the highly negative, ‘old-school’ campaign run by the Canberra Liberals and Jeremy Hanson. The lack of positive vision, combined with reckless promises to close the popular nurse-led walk-in centres and tear up light rail contracts did not resonate.
UnionsACT now looks forward to working with the re-elected government to build a better, brighter Canberra for all, boosting public services, increasing access to affordable health care, delivering on Gonski, and improving the workplace safety and rights for ACT working people.
The following quotes are attributable to Alex White, secretary of UnionsACT:
“Canberrans understand the importance of strong public services, smart infrastructure and affordable universal health care.
“It was disappointing that during this election, Jeremy Hanson and the Canberra Liberals simply copied the conservative anti-worker rhetoric from their Federal counterparts.
“Despite Mr Hanson’s constant union-bashing, we know the community supports the legitimate role that unions play in protecting the workplace safety and rights of working people.
“Unions will now look forward to working with the new government to improve the working rights and safety of all workers, and to deliver on the government’s positive agenda for working people and their communities.
“In particular, we believe ACT Labor has a strong mandate to legislate to improve and protect the workplace rights for employees of ACT government contractors.”
