
Issue No 118		02 November 2001

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News

Shier's Famous Last Wordds

By Dermott Browne

"I've just got three things to say: I know I have the support of the executive. I believe I have the support of the board. The only call for my resignation has been from the union. They will not get my resignation. Graeme Thomson does not have an influence here at the ABC. " So said Jonathan Shier on 17 October 2001.

Graeme Thomson, the ABC Secretary of the Community and Public Sector Union this week welcomed the announcement that the ABC Board has removed Jonathan Shier.

"Shier has been responsible for creating significant damage to the ABCm Thompson says. "Top quality programs makers and support staff have suffered under his term as Managing Director. ABC audiences have declined in the face of Shier's attempts to dumb down and commercialise the ABC."

"The Board needs to be congratulated for forcing him to resign. It must be remembered however that the same Board must be held accountable for putting him there in the first place and failing to act on his woeful performance a lot earlier.

"Without trying to take too much gloss off the announcement, his removal comes 18 months too late.

"Shier has left a legacy. He imported carpetbaggers and marketeers who will still be around when he leaves on 31 December.

"It will take many years to rebuild the ABC. The damage he has created has been significant. Many talented people have been forced out and TV production stalled.

"The task of re-building the ABC will not be easy. The Board and senior management of the ABC must give a clear commitment to re-building the national broadcaster as a strong and independent producer of TV, Radio and New Media. Much of the damage over the past two years has been created by the ideological drive to outsource program making and close down the ABC as a program maker."

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  Issue 118 contents

Interview: Flying High
ACTU Secretary Greg Combet on saving Ansett jobs, defeating Howard and wooing a new generation of unionists.

Corporate: Howard's List of Shame
ACTU President Shaharn Burrow runs through the litany of corporate collapses and down-sizes that have cut a swathe through the Australian community.

Campaign Diary: Week Four: The Battle Lines Drawn
It was a week that saw the leaders launch their campaigns, kiss lots of babies and battle for space with a Holy Jihad.

Industrial: Desperately Seeking Solutions
They might not call it 'industrial relations' in the spin of modern politics, but all the major parties have released plans that will affect the way we work over the next three years.

Economics: Manufacturing Prosperity
Neale Towart looks at the hidden debate of the election campaign - the degree of intervention government should take through Industry Policy.

History: War And Politics
The Conservatives are trying to wage war and win the election. The pundits say it�s a tried and true recipe for electoral success. The 1940 federal poll suggests otherwise.

International: Globalising Labour
On the eve of the International Metalworkers Federation Congress general secretary Marcello Malentacchi argues all nations need to retain a manufacturing base.

Review: Security - Who Needs it?
What does it mean to be secure? Should we even need to ask? In his new book, Anthony Burke asks the tough questions.

Satire: Locksmith Promises "Greater Security" If Elected
A Melbourne locksmith has agreed to run for federal parliament, campaigning on the key issue of security.

» Workplace Blitz in Poll Lead-Up

» Abbott Under Pressure to Hold Seat

» Howard Double Dip Is Skyway Robbery

» Knowledge Nation Boosts IT Skills

» Stellar Win in Call Centre

» Unionists Barred Entry to Australia

» Shier's Famous Last Wordds

» Real Baby Bonus for Local Government

» Entire Town Joins Nurses' Strike

» Some Good News in Orange Squeeze

» Train Drivers Call for Level Crossing Action

» Posties See Wage Rise By Christmas

» Howard Fails To Stem Workplace Deaths

» Greenpeace Activist Gets Union Support

» Hotel Workers Name Their Odds

» Airport Screeners Strike Over Work Value

» East Timor Training Centre Copmpleted

» NSW IR Act Due for Five Year Review

» Organiser of the Year Nominations Open

» Activists Notebook

» STOP PRESS: Jakarta Shangri-La Hotel Workers Fined US$2 million