The NEXT coming Oz election thread!

... & the response to yesterday's rallies by Workplace Minister Kevin Andrews. Check out his last comment. He seems to think there were only building workers there.
But hey, this is Howard's agenda. Kevin Andrews just happens to be the Workplace Minister.

'Political stunts'

Workplace Minister Kevin Andrews said the day of protest had cost the economy tens of millions of dollars. He said the march was in the interests of union officials, not ordinary workers, most of whom were at work yesterday.

He said ACTU president Sharan Burrow and secretary Greg Combet yesterday "chose to go to political stunts in the streets" rather than join a meeting of the national workplace consultative committee.

But while Mr Andrews said the rallies were not legally "protected" action, it was unlikely that any workers would be fined for taking part.

The executive director of the Master Builders Association, Brian Welch, estimated the building industry would have lost up to $20 million, most of it concentrated on sites in the central business district.

"It's a dead loss," he said. "The irony of it is this - they would have been paid to go home because of the rain. If they're prepared to walk in the rain why can't they work in the rain?"

http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/vow-to-fight-workplace-changes/2005/06/30/1119724784902.html

... back to Mark:



... er, I don't think he did, actually. People seem to have forgotten about that fabulous ALP machine strategy of giving first preference (on the ALP "how to vote" card in a Melbourne electoral seat) to Family First (a minor, conservative religious party). That seat DID in fact land in Family First's lap, at the expense of the ALP or the Greens. Most unfortunate, considering how few votes were actually gained by Family First. Seems the ALP has conveniently forgotten what turned out to be a very serious stuff-up. Could have made a big difference to the current composition of the Senate & Howard's confidence in getting his proposed "reforms" acceptred!

Don Watson's July 1 contribution today's paper. :

Howard's Australia
July 1, 2005


Photo: Spooner

Today is the first day of Australia as John Howard wants it to be. Resistance has evaporated, writes Don Watson.... <cont>

http://www.theage.com.au/news/opinion/don-watson/2005/06/30/1119724751020.html

First, Kevin Andrews, & now today, Alexander. I wonder if they realize how offensive they're being by making such patronizing insulting comments? There might just be the possibility that some of us can think for ourselves! Also that many of us who are already on contracts & know what that actually means. You'd think that the employer actually sat down with each individual employee & "negotiated" an individual contract to suit both of them, from the way the Libs are selling it. But maybe, after getting away with the lies & scare tactics of the last election campaign, the Liberals think they can say ANYTHING and believed? :

Downer derides 'childish scare campaign'
July 1, 2005 - 1:58PM/the AGE

Most Australians would not believe the "childish scare campaign" unions are running against the government's industrial relations, Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said today.

Mr Downer said workplace reform would be the biggest issue facing the coalition, which today gained a majority in the Senate, the first time a government has done so in 24 years.

Unions have flagged more mass rallies against the Howard government's shake-up of industrial laws, after tens of thousands of protesters demonstrated in capital cities across Australia today and yesterday... <cont>

http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/downer-derides-childish-scare-campaign/2005/07/01/1119724797260.html

I really like this photograph, so I'm including it here. Sydney demonstrators march under the Harbour Bridge today.

See what I mean, RJB?



... & a here's letter to the editor in my paper today:

Who voted Liberal?
July 2, 2005/the AGE

I watch the union protests against the Government's industrial relations laws and wonder: "How many of these workers voted for the Liberal Party at the last election?" I would bet that a substantial number, if not a majority, voted Liberal. It seems almost hypocritical to be protesting against what you voted for. What did you expect?

And for those of you who thought the romantic notion of saving 100 or so truck drivers' and loggers' jobs in Tasmania by voting Liberal in the Senate was valid, now you get your come-uppance. No offence meant to individual logging workers in Tasmania, I hate seeing anyone losing jobs, but your jobs are no more sacred than anyone else's in this country.
~

...Ya see what I mean?
But sure as hell many who DID vote for you-know-who aren't owning up! Sucked in!!

An interesting (but long!) read about Latham's performance & demise, plus Labor's woes. From Paul Kelly in the Australian:

Quest for a winning way
Editor-at-large Paul Kelly
July 02, 2005/the Australian

THE crash and meltdown of Mark Latham is an agonising episode for Labor, but the party's real test is whether it sinks deeper into the mire or devises a recovery strategy from its catharsis... <cont>

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,15792680%5E28737,00.html

Andrews signals no compromise on IR
July 3, 2005 - 10:57AM/SMH

The Workplace Relations Minister, Kevin Andrews, has indicated there will be no compromise on the Federal Government's industrial reforms.

The Government is preparing to overhaul the nation's industrial relations system now that it has a one-seat majority in the Senate.....

.....Asked if there was any scope for compromise in the package, Mr Andrews said the Government had already consulted extensively on the changes.

"I spent a good six months consulting widely about this package, including the ACTU and some unions," he told the Ten Network.

Sure he did!

..."The ACTU, for example, said that they wanted to retain federal awards which we've done, they said they wanted to retain the classification structure, which we've done.



...The minister denied that the package was radical and he accused unions of running a dishonest campaign against it.

Of course he did! :wink:

"I think it's more about politics than it is about the welfare of workers in Australia."

Absolutely! No argument there! :wink:

<complete article>
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/andrews-signals-no-compromise-on-ir/2005/07/03/1120329313269.html?oneclick=true[size=7][/size]

The ACTU has done a good job so far of marking the territory out. Now it needs specifics. There needs to be some sort of scenario analysis so that activists can explain to people they work with and socialise with exactly what it means to them. I know it's pandering to self-interest but in racing parlance self-interest is unbackable.

I wish they would stop having all the ******* rallies 30 kilometres away - three hours to get there/find a park/rally/get back to work.

Grrrrrr...

Apparently Cardinal Pell made an appeal to the Libs yesterday, to use their new powers wisely. And to show compassion for the working folk of Oz. Very interesting, how church representatives have become involved in this issue.

Here it is:

Pell voices wages concerns
02jul05/Courier News

THE Archbishop of Sydney has warned the Prime Minister to exercise caution when using his new-found powers in the Senate.

John Howard's coalition government yesterday became the first in 24 years to control both chambers of Parliament.

Mr Howard has made clear his determination to use his Senate majority to implement industrial relations legislation he believes will create a more flexible and productive workforce, generating many more jobs.

Cardinal George Pell, a self-confessed social conservative considered close to Mr Howard and other senior government figures, told The Weekend Australian Financial Review that taking control of the Senate might be seen as a "final vindication or triumph" for Mr Howard.

But he said: "I think there's an even greater need for wisdom and magnanimity from the prime minister."

Considerable unease about the Government's industrial relations policy made it necessary for wide consultation, the cardinal said.

But his major concern was that minimum wages would be pushed lower in real terms.

"The disparity between rich and poor is of some concern, but it is different if the minimum wage is still rising," Cardinal Pell said.

More reassurance and information was needed, he said.

http://www.thecouriermail.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,15797235%255E1702,00.html

Rather amazing, hey?

I think the conservatives have realised that Howard is a reactionary driven by ideology and they're starting to worry about the rents in the social fabric that surely will follow. Methinks his back bench will be more of an opposition that Labor.

You could well be right, goodfielder. We've seen that already, haven't we, from Petro Georgio & co. over detention centres? I think once the business community realizes that the proposed IR reforms could well lead to ongoing conflict (& loss of profit :wink: ) it might become progressively more nervous. After all, there have hardly been eruptions of bosses vs worker wars over the past decade have there? It's been very peaceful, in fact & a boom period for business interests. Some business leaders may soon be asking: If it wasn't broke, why the need to tamper with the system we've got? There is absolutely nothing, in recent IR history, to suggest that there's a huge trade union "problem" that needs to be addressed. The proposed changes are just Howard's long-time obsession, that's all.

That's it msolga - business is pragmatic (and unprincipled) and whatever helps the balance sheet will be done. Howard reminds me of a kid who has been nurturing a grudge and finally sees his chance to strike out. The rest of the schoolyard has moved on except for that nerdy kid in the corner with the stick of gelignite in his hand.....

Exactly, goodfielder. His big moment has come & he's going to do what he always wanted to do! Too bad if the rest of the world has moved on!

... & as one of the speakers at the rally said the other day: It's one thing to legislate these changes, but quite another to police them & ensure they work!

Strange creatures from another planet, indeed!

Oh, BTW, did anyone see today's ACNielsen opinion poll findings?:




So, Will a $20 million campaign (using our taxes) turn that around & convince us that the Libs only have our best interests at heart? ... that those IR changes are really, really good for us?