FED:Carbon tax putting heat on Labor: Robb=3

AAP General News (Australia)
04-18-2011
FED:Carbon tax putting heat on Labor: Robb=3

Australian Workers Union boss Paul Howes denied the unions were ganging up on Labor
at a time when the party needed their support most.

Last week, Mr Howes said the AWU would withdraw backing for a carbon price if it cost
a single job.

"We think it's in the interest of working people to have a Labor government in power
but that doesn't mean we give them a blank cheque and that we agree with everything they
do," Mr Howes told ABC TV.

Now with the added burden of tumbling polls, Mr Howes denied he regretted helping Prime
Minister Julia Gillard into the top job.

"Not at all. Julia Gillard is the best leader the Labor Party's had in a very, very
long period of time," he said.

"I'm confident she will lead Labor to an election victory at the next election.

"But that doesn't mean I have to support the government on everything they do."

AAP cj/sb/nb

KEYWORD: NIELSEN UPDATE 3 CANBERRA (REOPENS)

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