Trade union and state in Australia

Abstract

This thesis is concerned with the present relationship between trade unions and the state in Australia. It is argued that the relationship can be understood adequately only in terms of the relations existing in each of three areas - legal, administrative and party-political. The first involves the law affecting trade unions; the second, the unions' role in government administration, and the third, their role within a political party with which they are closely linked. An analysis of the relations established in each of theses areas is the main purpose of the thesis.