The New Province for Law and Order

TLDR

Australia federated in 1901, and by 1903 the federal government established a court system to arbitrate industrial disputes in a country already steeped in a half‑century of organized labour. The 2004 book offers a thematic history of the federal conciliation and arbitration system on its centenary. Scholarly chapters examine the system’s political history, tribunal operations, legal framework, economic and social impacts, effects on indigenous and women workers, employer and union roles, and industrial conflict management. The narrative recounts dramatic events such as strikes, lockouts, imprisonment of union officials, street protests, landmark High Court rulings, and the rise and fall of governments.

Abstract

The Commonwealth of Australia was federated in 1901. Only three short years later the Federal Government established a court system to arbitrate over industrial disputes in a young country that already had a history of half a century of organised labour. This 2004 book is a thematic history of an important Australian institution, the federal conciliation and arbitration system, on the occasion of its centenary. The various chapters written by leading scholars deal with the system's political history, the work of the tribunal, the legal framework, economic and social effects, the effects on indigenous and women workers, the role of employers associations and unions, and the management of industrial conflict. It is a story rich in drama involving strikes, lockouts, imprisonment of union officials, noisy protests in courtrooms and in the streets, momentous High Court judgements, and the rise and fall of governments.