Aidan,

The point is obvious. While the Victorian premier might scold the CFMEU, it is indisputable that the factions will control him too so there is little he can do, or be thrown to the wolves himself. You might recall the exasperation of Labor leaders, sometimes expressed publicly, that they and the Caucus must answer to the factions, who hire and fire them at will.

So, who really was elected in Victoria? The CFMEU is making a point.

Beach,

Indesputable? I dispute it, therefore you're wrong.

There are factions in the ALP, but no faction, let alone any union, controls it. And if they're a problem, Dan may be able to stare them down like his SA counterpart did.

If anything, having workers on a strike without widespread public support weakens the faction associated with their union.

And Australia is accepting a lot of tradies from northern Europe.
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Foxy,
That link's just protectionist waffle Dick uses to fool gullible customers into buying his mediocre products! And the idea that Coles and Woolwoths are only engaging in monopsonistic behaviour because of Aldi is quite ridiculous — though not as ridiculous as claiming competition from Aldi will force them to reduce one of their biggest competitive advantages (the range of products stocked).

If farmers can't make money growing beetroot, they should switch to a more lucrative crop.

Dear Aidan,

Thank You for your opinion.

I found Dick Smith's press release did raise
some valid points.

As for CFMEU's protest against ALDI?
Obviously there is more to it than we know
and what's being raised in the Murdoch Press.

This particular discussion - right from the
opening posts and title reminds me of the Liberal
adds - that attempted to link Labor to Unions prior
to the recent Victorian election. They were a total
turn-off for most voters and a huge mistake on
behalf of the Victorian Liberal Party. I liked
Denis Napthine - and have voted Liberal in past
State elections. But these adds did not do any credit
to Mr Napthine or his Party. So yesterday - in their
attempting to link Labor to Unions. It smacked of
desperation. As does the mind-numbing predictability
of otb's effort in this discussion.

See you on a more challenging topic.

Cheers.

Aiden,

That you mind disagree with an indisputable fact, in this case the well-proved (and even boasted about by senior union figures) influence of factions on Labor caucuses, does not affect anything. You are wrong that is all.

Particular factions do rule the roost for varying and sometimes lengthy periods. History says so and so do Labor leaders and numbers men. Heard of (say) 'Richo', who has had a lot to say about that and so has Rudd to take a couple of examples.

There is no evidence that unions like the CFMEU are concerned about public support. Sadly they usually rely on upsetting the public, eg through strikes, to force politicians and employers to concede to their demands.

Your last point is hopeful but that is about it.

'mind' should be 'might' in my first sentence above.

Beach,

That the factions have influence is (I think) an indisputable fact.
That the factions have so much power that they will control the premier is mere conjecture.
I did not claim unions like the CFMEU are concerned about public support
What I'm saying is BEING ASSOCIATED WITH UNPOPULAR UNIONS WEAKENS FACTIONS.

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Foxy,

It is far from obvious that there's any more to it than the Murdoch Press reports.