As Workplace Relations Minister Julia Gillard turns up the pressure on the Coalition in an attempt to swiftly usher Labor’s industrial relations laws through parliament, new Roy Morgan research shows Australians expect little trouble at t’mill in the year ahead.

A majority of Australians (52%, up 22%) expect the same number of industrial disputes in 2008 as in 2007.

Significantly fewer Australians than a year ago (27%, down 29%) expect more strikes and industrial disputes in 2008, while 5% (down 4%) expect strikes and industrial disputes to decrease in 2008.

“These latest Morgan Poll results are an important benchmark for the Australian Rudd Labor Government as they seek to roll back parts of the Work Choices legislation,” pollster Gary Morgan says.

Meanwhile, the first face to face Morgan polling since Labor comprehensively won the Federal election finds Labor’s primary support at 49.5% (6.1% above its election result of 43.4%), the Coalition on 34% (8.1% below its election result of 42.1%) and the Greens on 10.5%, Family First 2.5%, and others at 3.5%. Labor holds a commanding two party preferred lead of 60.5% cf. 39.5%.

Industrial relations findings are based on interviews with a cross-section of 609 men and women aged 14 or over conducted by telephone on October 17/18, 2007. The polling on Federal voting intention was conducted face to face on the weekends of December 1/2 and 8/9, 2007, with an Australia wide cross-section of 1,843 electors.