Business cosies up to Shorten

SOURCEAFR


2006

Labor leader Bill Shorten is back on business groups’ invitation lists in one more sign a change in government is considered increasingly possible at the next Federal election.

On Tuesday Mr Shorten spoke at a Sydney lunch organised by the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry after the group met with him a month ago, ending an 18 month hiatus.

ACCI president Terry Wetherall acknowledged that the organisation, which Mr Shorten described as a “trade union for business”, was consciously strengthening its relationship with the opposition.

“Obviously there is an election coming and there could be a change in government,” he said.

The latest a federal election could be practically held is May, 2019. The latest poll puts Labor head of the Coalition 55 per cent to 45 per cent, a large margin.