Labor leader Bill Shorten declares ‘war’ on business and badmouths Australian Council of Trade Unions
A ‘COCKY’ Bill Shorten has declared war on business at an explosive lunch with corporate leaders, telling them to “expect nothing” from any Labor government he leads. He also called ACTU president Ged Kearney “hopeless”.
NSW
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BILL Shorten declared “war” on big business while also badmouthing Australian Council of Trade Unions president Ged Kearney as “hopeless” at a recent private boardroom lunch with corporate bigwigs.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal that during the “unfriendly” lunch with the Business Council of Australia (BCA) two weeks ago the ALP leader warned industry to “expect nothing from a Shorten Labor government”.
A source also said he boasted how “it’s good for his political prospects to be at war with big business”.
And in an answer to BCA chief executive Jennifer Westacott’s question about how to deal with the unions and Ms Kearney, Mr Shorten said: “She’s hopeless.”
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BCA president Grant King, Woodside Energy chief executive Peter Coleman, Rio Tinto managing director Joanne Farrell and Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce were “shocked” and “taken aback” by Mr Shorten at the November 23 lunch.
The Opposition Leader stunned business heavyweights with his “rude” demeanour, accusing them of abandoning the union movement during the trade union royal commission and ruling out any chance of lower company taxes.
“I like it when you criticise me. By all means keep doing it,” he challenged those attending the lunch, organised by the Business Council of Australia two weeks ago in Sydney.
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But Mr Shorten also took a shot at ACTU president Ged Kearney, when asked by council chief executive Jennifer Westacott how to deal with the unions and Ms Kearney.
“She’s hopeless,” Mr Shorten replied, according to two people in the room.
Among the guests subject to Mr Shorten’s harangue were council president Grant King, Woodside Energy chief Peter Coleman, Rio Tinto managing director Joanne Farrell and Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce.
The meeting was described as “unfriendly” by three participants, who said the Opposition Leader claimed it was “good for his political prospects to be at war with big business” and they “should expect nothing from a Shorten Labor government”.
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Those around the table were said to be “shocked” and “taken aback” by the attitude of Mr Shorten who, as a union leader, cultivated good relations with business leaders.
Mr Shorten’s rejection of the Turnbull government’s company tax cuts was a particular sore point. According to participants, he was asked: “Can we at least keep the options open?”
Business leaders felt Mr Shorten was “cocky” and sure he would win the next election.
“He thinks a class war will be good for Labor and is supremely confident. He thinks he’s a shoo in,” one observer said.