This volume chronicles the increasing divisions inside the Labor Party that came to a head in the disastrous split in 1916 over conscription for overseas military service. The central figure of this era was William Holman, who became Premier in June 1913 when James McGowen retired from that office. Before conscription became the central issue Holman had come to be heartily detested by many in the extra-parliamentary party, largely because of his refusal to do anything to abolish, or curb the power of, the Upper House. The AWU and its journal, The Australian Worker, led the criticism of Holman and his Government during these years. For a few years Holman's superb political skills guaranteed his survival. However, by 1916 Holman's enemies had organized a tightly disciplined modern faction, the 'Industrial Section', (later the 'Industrial Vigilance Council') to take control of the Executive and Conference and force policy changes on Holman. When the conscription issue reached a climax with the first plebiscite ordered by Prime Minister Hughes, the party at Commonwealth and State level split. Both Hughes and Holman were expelled from the party, continuing in office in new Nationalist administrations, leaving a factionalised Labor Party to begin the process of reconstruction.See Labor Pains Series link, to the right, for details of other Volumes. A NSW Sesquicentenary of Responsible Government publication.

By the middle of the first decade of the 20th Century the Labor Party in New South Wales (the Political Labor League) had become the official Opposition in the NSW Parliament. Its leaders were confident that it could win office within a short space of time. They were right; Labor won the 1910 State election, although only narrowly. This volume charts the preparation for that responsibility, with detailed policies for winning office and governing being spelled out. It was a confident party preparing to accept the responsibilities of power. Tensions became evident as there seemed to be conflict between the Federal and State parties especially about the transfer of industrial relations power to the Commonwealth. Members of the extra-parliamentary organization, especially the Australian Workers' Union, were becoming impatient at the MPs insistence on moderating their demands for the sake of gaining office. By 1911, with Labor in office but not effectively in power, this impatience was threatening the unity of the party and the Government. See Labor Pains Series link, to the right, for details of other Volumes. A NSW Sesquicentenary of Responsible Government publication.

The book provides a collection of cutting-edge, multi-disciplinary research-based chapters on work, workers and the regulation and management of workplace health and safety. Featuring research from Australia, Europe and North America, the chapters traverse important historical examples and place important, emerging contemporary trends, like work in the gig economy, into wider international and historical perspectives. The authors are leading authorities in their fields. The book contributes to advancing our knowledge – empirical and theoretical – of the ways in which labour market dynamics, management strategies, state regulation and public policy, and union organisation affect outcomes for workers. It features in-depth exploration of, and reflection on, some of the major labour market challenges facing workers, and analysis of strengths and weaknesses of responses to those challenges, whether via management, state regulation or collective employee voice. The chapters highlight shifts in in/equality of outcomes; access to security and flexibility at work; genuine access to workplace voice and decision-making; and the implications of different avenues and mechanisms for regulating work and employment. The text is aimed at researchers, undergraduate and postgraduate students in work and organisational studies, industrial/employment relations and human resource management, workplace (or occupational) health and safety, employment law, and labour history. It will also be of particular interest to policy makers and practitioners working in the field of workplace health and safety.

In this compelling and comprehensive work, renowned historian Frank Bongiorno presents a social and cultural history of Australia's political life, from pre-settlement Indigenous systems to the present day. Depicting a wonderful parade of dreamers and schemers, Bongiorno surveys moments of political renewal and sheds fresh light on our democratic life. From local pubs and meeting halls to the parliament and cabinet; from pamphleteers and stump orators to party agents and operatives - this enthralling account looks at the political insiders in the halls of power, as well as the agitators and outsiders who sought to shape the nation from the margins. A work of political history like no other, Dreamers and Schemers will transform the way you look at Australian politics.