Two key unions historically aligned with the Labor Party in Victoria, the Australian Services Union (ASU) and the Electrical Trades Union (ETU), have turned against the state government a month out from the November election. The ASU has launched attack ads accusing Premier Ben Carroll of lying, while the ETU has redirected its campaign funding to support members facing a construction royal commission.
Two major unions in Victoria have turned against the Labor government a month out from the state election. The Labor-aligned Australian Services Union (ASU) launched attack ads calling Premier Ben Carroll a liar, with the slogan "Ben Lied. Labor lies". The ASU has confirmed it will not doorknock for Labor in the final weeks of the campaign.
The Electrical Trades Union (ETU) state council resolved on Wednesday not to run a statewide campaign for Labor, despite spending more than $1.6 million supporting the party at the last election. ETU funds will instead be diverted to support members who could be called before the construction royal commission.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Withdrawing union support significantly undermines Labor's campaign infrastructure a month out from election day.
- The ASU's "Ben Lied. Labor lies" attack ad is a major public break from a party's traditional base that could influence undecided voters.
- The ETU's redirection of funds to the royal commission fight deepens the policy rift between Labor and its blue-collar base.
Background
The ASU and ETU are traditionally among the Labor Party's most reliable financial and logistical backers in Victoria.
The Victorian government has established a construction royal commission, which unions strongly oppose, viewing it as hostile to their members.
The state election is scheduled for November 2026.
Key Perspectives
- Australian Services Union: Has publicly broken with Labor by launching attack ads with the slogan "Ben Lied. Labor lies" and halting doorknocking, indicating a loss of trust in Premier Carroll.
- Electrical Trades Union: Has ceased its statewide campaign for Labor and diverted more than $1.6m to a fighting fund for members facing the construction royal commission, prioritising member defence over party allegiance.
What to Watch
- Whether other unions follow the ASU and ETU in distancing themselves from Labor.
- Premier Ben Carroll's response and the potential impact on Labor's polling over the final month.
- The direction of the construction royal commission and its effect on union-government relations.
Checked
9 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 5 supported.
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- Partly supportedThe ASU and ETU are both described as historically aligned with Labor in Victoria.Australia news | The Guardian: “The Labor-aligned Australian Services Union (ASU) (…); meanwhile, the Electrical Trades Union (ETU) state council resolved on Wednesday not to run a statewide campaign for Labor”
- Partly supportedThe unions turned against the Victorian Labor government a month before the November election.Australia news | The Guardian: “Two major unions in Victoria have turned their back on the Labor government a month out from the state election”
- SupportedThe ASU launched attack ads calling Premier Ben Carroll a liar.Australia news | The Guardian: “The Labor-aligned Australian Services Union (ASU), which launched the ads, has also confirmed it won’t doorknock for Labor in the coming weeks.”
- SupportedThe ASU’s slogan was “Ben Lied. Labor lies”.Australia news | The Guardian: “Exclusive: ASU launches ‘Ben Lied. Labor lies’ ads”
- Partly supportedThe ETU is diverting more than $1.6 million to support members involved in the construction royal commission.Australia news | The Guardian: “despite spending more than $1.6m supporting the party at the last election, with funds to be diverted to support members who could be called before the construction royal commission”
- Partly supportedThe ASU confirmed it would not doorknock for Labor in the final weeks of the campaign.Australia news | The Guardian: “The Labor-aligned Australian Services Union (ASU), which launched the ads, has also confirmed it won’t doorknock for Labor in the coming weeks.”
- SupportedThe ETU state council resolved on Wednesday not to run a statewide campaign for Labor.Australia news | The Guardian: “the Electrical Trades Union (ETU) state council resolved on Wednesday not to run a statewide campaign for Labor”
- SupportedThe ETU spent more than $1.6 million supporting Labor at the last election.Australia news | The Guardian: “despite spending more than $1.6m supporting the party at the last election”
- SupportedThe ETU’s funds will be diverted to support members who could be called before the construction royal commission.Australia news | The Guardian: “with funds to be diverted to support members who could be called before the construction royal commission”