Governments don't care much if a transport strike disrupts off-peak passengers. They care a bit more if peak period commuters are disrupted. However the threat of a strike during a major event will send them into a rage.
Tourists are considered more important than regular commuters. That's because a transport strike that hits tourists could sully Melbourne's reputation as Australia's 'events capital' and cause visitors to say 'never again'. And politically the stoppage would hurt the state's, the government's and the premier's image, rather than merely a minister's. It's all about keeping up appearances.
Transport unions know this and no doubt use major events to assist in winning benefits for their members. That was a threat for this weekend's Grand Prix. However agreement was reached and the strike was called off.
The 1997 Grand Prix wasn't so lucky. That was hit by industrial action. Read the report in the left-wing Green Left Weekly. As it turned out the PTC did get split up with services later franchised out to private operators. Read about how this went here.
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