Beattie clashes with AWU, bosses

By Bill Mason

BRISBANE -- Queensland Labor premier Peter Beattie is confronting ALP faction leader and Australian Workers Union state secretary Bill Ludwig over proposed new industrial legislation, which will open new (“greenfield”) projects to other unions.

Existing laws allow employers to make sweetheart deals for new workplaces with the AWU and other right-wing unions, freezing out the more militant unions.

Employer groups condemned the proposed changes. The Australian Industry Group and the Queensland Chamber of Commerce and Industry warned the changes will discourage foreign investment.

Media commentators predicted trouble from the AWU faction, which has been the major force inside the state ALP branch. Beattie has built a support base in the party separate from the AWU.

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