Four Corners: Aug 24

On Monday’s Four Corners, Marian Wilkinson reports on Machine Man: Bill Shorten Under The Microscope, investigating his history in the union movement and rise within the Labor Party.

He’s been dubbed a factional boss, a union powerbroker, a numbers man, a kingmaker.

“Bill at the moment is being defined, especially for those people who aren’t sure what he’s about, in quite negative ways” Political strategist

Only a month ago there was talk of shoring up his leadership after his appearance at the Trade Unions Royal Commission and his poor personal approval ratings.

But with the Coalition Government enduring a string of divisive episodes, the Royal Commissioner himself engulfed in claims of political bias and the Labor Party consistently ahead in the polls, Bill Shorten’s backers are convinced he will make it to the Lodge.

“We have much to do friends, it’ll be a long and hard battle but if we’re going to win this battle I can’t think of a better leader to lead this fight than Bill Shorten…” Brendan O’Connor

But will his union past bring him down?

“My personal opinion is that they were selling us out.” Former AWU member

The Royal Commission continues to investigate deals struck during Bill Shorten’s leadership of the powerful Australian Workers Union. And the Coalition Government has a clear strategy to create the perception he’s a Labor leader beholden to a union movement tainted by corruption allegations and infighting.

Reporter Marian Wilkinson investigates his long history in the union movement and his rise to power in the Labor Party.

Monday 24th August at 8.30pm on ABC.