Two unions abandon Labor a month before Victorian election
Two major unions abandon Labor ahead of Victoria's state election.
Two of Victoria's biggest unions have turned against Labor in the final month before the state election. The Australian Services Union (ASU) launched attack ads calling the premier a liar over a broken promise on council rate caps.
The union has also stopped doorknocking for Labor. The Electrical Trades Union (ETU) decided this week to pull all campaign funding and instead spend resources defending members at a construction royal commission.
The ETU spent more than $1.6 million supporting Labor at the last election but polling shows Labor has lost ground since Ben Carroll replaced Jacinta Allan as premier.
- 25
- Labor seats predicted
- 10 fewer
- Seat loss from forecast
- $1.6 million
- ETU spending in 2022
- about one month
- Days until election
Why it mattersUnion support has been crucial for Labor in past campaigns. Losing both money and volunteers a month before polls opens the door for opposition and minor parties.
AustraliaVictorian voters are now facing an election where Labor's traditional union allies are either attacking the government or sitting it out, shifting the campaign landscape.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 3 h ago
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