The Scorpion and the Frog

In the past, antagonism has coloured the relationship between the unions and government. However, based on their shared concern for the Australian workforce, a new level of accord was reached during the pandemic. The Prime Minister decided not to press ahead with the ‘ensuring integrity’ bill, and ACTU Secretary Sally McManus was ‘glad to see the 20-year ritual of union-bashing stop’. In response, a sceptical Wilcox drew on a fable where both parties ultimately drown.