the referendum and an overall ambivalent attitude towards the income referendum. The public's general lack of understanding, and their ambivalent attitude surrounding the incomes referendum was reflected throughout much of the campaign, revealed in many public opinion polls. Support and opposition Whitlam’s Labor government proposed this bill and argued the ‘Yes’ case. Snedden’s Liberal party was the opposing party, arguing ‘No’. Labor (support) The main arguments from Whitlam’s Labor government in support of increasing income power were: States were not able to effectively deal with inflation themselves, and therefore, an increase of federal power over incomes was needed. Inflation could be dealt with through the introduction of quarterly wage adjustments and without the need for wage freezes or increased unemployment. This power would advance equal pay for women and would create a more equitable income and wage system. It would not be enough to just have powers over prices. Power over incomes was crucial in stabilising the economy. Liberal (opposition) The main arguments in opposition to the increase of income power from Snedden’s Liberal party were: The increase in federal powers would be a direct threat to federalism and defeat the purpose of the separation and division of powers to the states. The proposal would be unnecessary as states were capable of managing income control. That the Labor government were trying to abuse the declining economy to secure more power. That it was unclear how the federal government intended on using this power once obtained. Concerns about the permanency of the power and how that could be used and potentially abused by governments that succeeded Whitlam. There would be a better way of dealing with inflation by holding a conference with federal and state governments and a variety of unions and other industry organisations. Here, they would create an effective plan to deal with the declining economy. Other opposition The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU), and other trade unions, almost unanimously advocated for a ‘No’ vote to federal powers over incomes. The leader of the ACTU, Bob Hawke, had significant influence in leading the trade union campaigns against the income referendum. Their main concerns focused on what those powers could be used for in the future by non-labor governments and they did not believe wages should be controlled by the federal government. The unions did not believe that the proposed powers would be effective in controlling inflation. Other minor