For the sake of OLO I will refrain from answering you.
If ever we meet please introduce your self.
Sticks and stones you know.

Belly Spindoc,

Presently the ALP has lost its way. The old foundations based on the unions has meant that it has largely lost its relevance. As the country has moved from "the workers" at the coal face to gen X type job hopping self promoting workers, the unions have lost most of their influence, and while over represented in the labor party are our of touch with the young aspirational voters of today.

Australia still retains a socialist vein, which the anti work choices campaign exploited successfully, however, faced with the choice of a bumbling out of date Labor, a hard left lunatic fringe Greens, or an aspirational liberals, the "workers" of today go with the liberals.

Labor as it is constructed now is withering and destined for the wilderness for decades, and the Greens being the alternative are unsuitable for any form of government. However, a "new Labor" reinvented and free of the unions might well pose a strong threat to the coalition.

This thread is about labor entrenching and protecting the existing out dated union structures in law, and the status quo. Until this changes Labor risks becoming a fringe party.

Belly, this is Trade Union business, no sticks and stones, just SHOVELS!

Decades, wilderness, irrelevant. Somewhat premature. What does Abbott stand for, only an idiot would vote for a party without policies and accounts.
Put a radical into power, and your predictions of 10 + years could become 3 to 4.
Australian economy is in good shape, low unemployment, coalition are demons for taking money from education and hospitals.
Kennett was supposed to be there for 30+ years. And shocked him into depression when he got voted out.
Balieu is at it now, they just can't help them-self. There was a permanent order for one rail carriage / month.,now there is not enough trains.
So be careful what you wish for, it could do more harm than good

Shadow Minister you are well aware I am union to the boot straps.
And that I detest the true left.
No way around it the end of noncomposlory unionism caught even my life time one out.
Haveing to actually work, recruit and serve, bought some to their knees.
I found out early, and bright persons will, the left was an anchor, still is.
So I can be both unionist and ALP a lover of both.
And yes I understand Labor IS the CHILD of Unionism.
Past unionism.
Left extremist unions, still want a socialist class war fare,I spent much time fighting them, on the ground, and won.
So believe it or not, Labor must forever, stop giving union members half the seats in conference or die.
Unions, not mine it is a daily truth, evolve, must grow, understand it is the best interests of the members they must seek.
any worth while union, must be free to go to any government with clean hands, to try to get a result for its membership.
Yes if it is constantly turned away react,but yes, hurts, my party's polices, trying to ignore cash for clunkers.
Boat people, mostly are well balanced,but our behavior,our inability to even explain to our members and the nation.
WHY IS Gillard still there?
I know we will reform,grow, the greens will die,but it maybe in 20 years, unless we start now.
Any Liberal government is a tragedy for me,
Your mate Abbott? aliveing horror film for our country.
Yet IF, he could be our best recruiter ever as PM.