Nadolig Llawen a Blwyddyn Newydd Dda

Welsh for Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Hat-tip from Aussie Cousins - the Morgan Family - from the from the other side of the World.

(this post was scheduled in advance for 00.01 on Crimbo morning)

“It’s the unions wot won it”

Labour Sweeps to Power in Australia Elections. Congratulations to Australian Labour Leader and Prime Minister elect Kevin Rudd.

He has put to an end to 11 years of right wing rule. Former Prime Minister John Howard is thought to have even lost his own Parliamentary seat.

I am sure that the whole Australian Labour movement deserves praise for what appears to have been a well thought out and united sensible political campaign.

However, is also good news for the trade unions in Australia who have been at the receiving end of some pretty vicious anti-union government policies in recent years.

The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) have just published some interesting research on the result which suggest that Industrial Relations (IR) was amongst the most important issue for nearly 80% of Labour voters (45% said it was their single most important issue). The Unions also appear to have played a major role in mobilising their members to come out and vote.

Hope Brown has a read.