ged its limited ability to influence the economy, without the cooperation of other large organisations (which control the economy's resources) (Ryan, 2003: 49). In doing so, the government became obliged to favour economic policies and infrastructure that supported such organisations and created a good business climate (Roper, 2002: 115). Soon after election to government, the Labor party formed the Accord: a bipartite agreement between the government and the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) (Hogan and Warren, 1997).
             The Accord was designed to ensure the continuation of a more "flexible approach to wages and working conditions, based on workplace bargaining involving employees and their unions" (International Labour Review, 1993: 144). In accordance with the agreement, the government began to enact legislation under the international Conventions to ensure employee rights, such as minimum wages, equal pay for equal work, unpaid parental leave and protection against unfair dismissal (ibid). Therefore, through the Accord, the government changed its role in the decision-making processes. Rather than determining wages and working conditions in an authoritarian manner, the government now had to enter into negotiations to determine what the best economic and social policies were for the combined interests of the trade unions, businesses and Australian public (Wood and Harcourt, 2000: 5).
             The Accord, however, was not the only manifestation of corporatism at the time. Several organisations were set up to complement the objectives of the Accord and improve the state of the economy. For example, the Advisory Committee on Prices and Incomes (ACPI) was established in 1983 (and later abolished in 1988), was a tripartite body, including five Commonwealth and Sate Ministers, six trade union representatives, five employers and one representative of professional associations (Head, 1997: 343). Probably more significant than...