The Federal Law Relating to Union Amalgamation in Australia: Help or Hindrance?

It is often said that there are too many trade unions in Australia and that industrial relations would be improved by the formation of industry-based unions. Any movement in this direction will involve well-planned amalgama tions. This paper attempts to assess the legislative framework within which amalgamations are to be carried out. It concludes that the scheme, introduced in 1972, will hinder rather than facilitate amalgamation. Initially, however, the paper outlines the trade union movement's traditional attitude to amalgamation and concludes that the achievement has fallen far short of the vision.