E D I T O R I A L

The Unmaking of History
The new millennium has got off to an ominous start. The fireworks, circuses and self-congratulation of 2000 were a thing of the past and we were left with the task of redefining ourselves in a new era.

F E A T U R E S

Interview: Braveheart
Labor Council secretary John Robertson looks back on a turbulent year and forward to a dynamic 2002.

International: Global Year in Review
Labourstart's Eric Lee gives his take on a year where the world changed forever.

Unions: A Year at the Barricades
2001 was a year when workers were forced to fight for what they once took for granted.

Technology: Unions Online 2001
Social Change Online's Mark McGrath looks at the advances unions made in web development in 2001.

Republic: Terror Australis
ARM national director James Terrie asks where to now for the Republic?

Economics: 2001: Annus Horribilis
Frank Stilwell looks back at a troubled year and looks forward to the challenges for the labour movement.

Campaign Diary: Melanie and Me
Strewth's Steve Cannane went into the viper's nest on election night and emerged with an ordinary feeling.

Politics: Tony Moore's Final Word
Wide boys, spivs, spin doctors and hereditary idiots have hijacked a once great Australian institution.

Review: You Are the Weakest Program
Cultural theoritician Mark Morey deconstructs the televisual subplots of our collective consciousness.

Legal: The New McCarthyism
The �war on terrorism� declared in the wake of the American events of September 11 dramatically threatens Australian democratic life.

N E W S

Unions Take Lead in Refugee Rethink

Workers Christmas Wish List

Sparkie Snares Organiser of the Year Title

Bosswatch Gets International Attention

Bank Workers Get Serious in 2002

Qantas's Warfare Agenda Exposed

Cabin Crew Stand Up for Themselves

Win for Medibank Workers

City Council's Tactics Rival Worst in the World

Dynamic New Start for Musos

Unions in the Mosh Pit

Scholarship Opportunity

C O L U M N S

The Soapbox
Into the Crystal Ball
What will happen in 2002? We asked some of the players in the world of industrial relations to look into the crystal ball.

The Locker Room
The 2002 Workers Online Sports Awards
There may have been no Olympics, but there were some stellar performances in 2001, from madass bad boys to terminated talents, these are the big ones.

Trades Hall
Neale Towart's Labour (Year in) Review
Sporting a Costa crew-cut, a new look Neale looks back on some issues of 2001 that look likely to the centres of debate for unions in 2002.

Tool Shed
Tool of the Year? You're Standing In It
After a year when Australians brought out the worst in themselves, we all stand condemned for a stint in the Tool Shed.

L E T T E R S

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Republic

Terror Australis

ARM national director James Terrie asks where to now for the Republic?

	ARM Delegates at the Constitutional Convention

****************

It's now been over two years since the defeat of the proposal put to Australians in 1999. Many republicans, particularly with the re-election of John Howard, think that it's a lost cause or won't be back for years. While this is true in a sense there is much that needs to be done and is being done to bring about an Australian republic with an Australian as head of State.

The two biggest contributors to the 1999 defeat, apart from the disgraceful campaign run by the monarchists, were division among republicans (with many supporting the No camp) and the lack of support from the Prime Minister.

The next few years will be an opportunity to move beyond both of these problems. On the former, much work is already being done by the ARM to create a wider coalition of republicans. We have just released a discussion paper detailing six indicative models, ranging from a minimalist proposition to a number of direct election proposals. This will form the basis of ongoing and future discussions on the best model for the future.

The issue of prime ministerial support will be resolved one way or the other before or at the next election. The basis to move forward politically will be agreement of the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition and the departure of John Howard will see that come to fruition - Tony Abbott aside! Once these two have agreed on a process to allow the Australian people to have information they need, the proper debate they haven't yet had, then the republic that most want will happen. A thorough process will ensure that regardless of whatever type of republic we eventually have - it will be constitutionally safe, politically deliverable and sufficiently inspirational to affirm our common values as Australian citizens.

The republic won't just happen. As in all campaigns in public life it requires participation and activism. While the republic is not an issue that many (if any) Australians will "storm the barricades" for it nevertheless needs to be campaigned.

All republicans should be involved even if in some small way. From simply affirming your 'republicanism' occasionally, particularly within the ALP, through to getting involved in republican organisations such as the ARM. All republicans should approach the issue in a spirit of compromise and say that "the only thing we rule out is Monarchy!"

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