
Issue No 1		19 February 1999

Trades Hall

Naomi Steer on the NSW Alliance

By Naomi Steer, Labor Council senior executive officer

When people start talking about a new way for the labour movement, the focus invariably falls on the need to build stronger links with the community.


	Labor Council Senior Executive Officer, Naomi Steer

From Latham's "Third Way" to Saul's musings on the failure of the technocracy, the potential to rebuild a collective spirit in the post-Cold War era is linked to the ability to create new ways of acting co-operatively at a grassroots level.

Groups representing sectional interests need to broaden their focus, connecting with other like-minded advocates to present policy proposals that compliment each other and hang together in some sort of coherent manner.

In the absence of a unifying political philosophy, a coherent set of policies promoting social justice and communal ties can only evolve by reaching out to as many allies as possible.

The Labor Council is playing a part pin turning this theory into a reality, through its involvement on the NSW Alliance.

The Alliance is a group of peak councils, community organisations and public interest groups who come together on a regular basis to discuss issues of common concern.

The organisations who make up the Alliance are:

- the NSW Council of Social Services

- The Australian Conservation Foundation, Labor Council

- the Evatt Foundation

- the Youth Action Policy Association

- the Combined Pensioners and Superannuants Association of NSW

- the Ethnic Community Council

- the National Coalition of Aboriginal Organisations

- the Women's Electoral Lobby

- and People with Disabilities.

Other organisations such as the Public Interest Advocacy Center and the Australian Business Chamber have also been involved on particular issues.

Formed in 1996 the original focus of the Alliance was to act as a bridge between the community and government.

The A Forward Agenda for NSW forum held in March 1996 and opened by NSW Premier Bob Carr at the NSW Parliament House , was the beginning of a regular series of dialogues between Alliance members and government. The Alliance sought greater participation in government decision making, policy development and implementation. It envisaged regular dialogue with government on the key issues of the day.

Since its formation Alliance members have met with both sides of NSW government on a yearly basis and received a positive response to ongoing contact.

A major concern for the Alliance has been the provision of services to the community sector. Paralleled to this concern has been state revenue raising and, in particular, State-Commonwealth funding arrangements. Last year representatives of the Alliance met with NSW Premier Bob Carr and Treasurer Michael Egan to discuss this issue.

Many of the issues taken up by the Alliance reflect the common concerns of the participating organisations such as bank closures, community service cutbacks, employment and working hours.

The Alliance has provided a wonderful networking opportunity for the organisations involved.

As envisaged when it was first formed the Alliance has encouraged inter-organisation cooperation. Alliance members actively supported the ACTU's living wage campaign by disseminating information to their constituents and making submission to the Industrial Relations Commission..

NSW Director of NCOSS, Gary Moore believes that the links fostered by the Alliance have proved invaluable to his organisation. "The Alliance is a great forum to promote co-operation in the community on key issues facing low income people in NSW.".

Given the diverse nature of the Alliance's members agreement isn't always possible. For example unions and environmental groups have different positions over the forestry policy. Yet there are enough issues in common outside this area to make ongoing participation worthwhile.

John Connor of the Nature Conservation Foundation of NSW says "the things that bind us are in part the agenda of various interests to downgrade government and industry regulation. The Alliance therefore is an important watchdog across a whole range of government responsibilities."

The Alliance plans to develop its role as a facilitator of public education and debate on public policy issues. As such it plans to initiate in 1999 a series of public forums on topics such as the future of work, and sustainable growth.

For the union movement the Alliance has proved an invaluable link to the community. Our involvement reflects our commitment to improving the lives of workers beyond the boundaries of the workplace.

View entire issue - print all of the articles!

Issue 1 contents

Interview: Michael Costa
The new Labor Council secretary explains factions, frictions and how to save the union movement.

Unions: Getting Under The Skin
The cash-in-transit industry - known for it's vulnerability to violence and theft - comes under scrutiny as the industry moves to a new "soft skin" operation

History: Remembering the Labor Press
Workers Online is just the latest in a long tradition of publishing by working people and their organisations.

Review: Powderfinger's Political Power Pop
We look at a band who still reckon they can mix music with a bit social commentary.

Campaign Diary: Hartcher Chokes On His Own Uglies
No-one would have been more surprised by last week�s announcement of the Coalition industrial relations policy than its spokesman on the issue, Chris Hartcher.

» The Overworked - We're Sick, Anti-Social and Sexually Frustrated

» Geeks Blow Up

» The Greatest Act on Earth

» Museum of Contemporary Art calls time

» MEAA Goes Country!