ABC News Daily
The secrets of John Howard’s war on the docks
Apr 2, 2025
Join Jan Fran, host of 'Conspiracy? War on the Waterfront,' as she unpacks the complex 1998 waterfront dispute that transformed Australia’s labor landscape. Discover how John Howard's government played a controversial role in the dismissal of 1,400 dock workers, and the schemes behind replacing them with non-union labor. Jan reveals hidden insights from Peter Reith's diaries, exposing a government agenda notorious for its disdain for unions. Holistic and riveting, this discussion uncovers forgotten truths about power, politics, and workers' rights.
16:19
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Quick takeaways
- The waterfront dispute of 1998 exposed significant tensions between union power and government involvement in labor relations, particularly regarding the Howard government's actions.
- Revelations about John Howard's potential complicity in undermining the unionized workforce have shifted the narrative surrounding corporate and governmental accountability in industrial conflicts.
Deep dives
The Bitter Waterfront Dispute
The waterfront dispute of 1998 between Patrick Stevedores and the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) was a pivotal event in labor relations, leading to the lockout of 1,400 workers. Patrick's managing director, Chris Corrigan, aimed to replace the unionized workforce with a non-union alternative, driven by a perception that dock productivity was low. The situation escalated dramatically as security guards evicted workers from their posts, creating intense protests and public outcry across major Australian ports. This confrontation highlighted the underlying tensions in labor rights and union power, setting the stage for a fierce political battle involving the then-Prime Minister John Howard and his government.
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