E D I T O R I A L

Two Wings Flapping
The one element missing from the current debate about the relationship between the labour movement and the ALP is any discussion about what's in it for the unions.

F E A T U R E S

Interview: In The Tent
The Australian Services Union's Martin Foley on the dilemma facing trade unions affiliated to the Labor Party.

Bad Boss: The Desk Nazi
Everyone�s mail is on the money this week. Yep, Australia Post, courtesy of the born-to-rule attitude so beloved by the Workplace Relations Minister has been nominated for the Tony Award.

Media: Hold the Presses
The withdrawal of mainstream news outlets from the reporting of industrial relations is playing right into the bosses' hands, writes Andrew Casey

Workplace: Putting Bullies In Their Place
Ever wonder where the schoolyard bullies from your formative years ended up? Chances are they are still making someone�s life hell in an Australian workplace today. Even worse, one of them might be your direct supervisor.

Industrial: Women and Work
The last fortnight may well prove a turning point for working Australian women and their families, argues ACTU President Sharan Burrow

International: Whine and Dine
The political and industrial wings of British labour are at each other's throats, reports Andrew Casey.

History: Black Adder
Old King Cole had good tutors. Roger Milliss captured the style of conservative government witch-hunts in Serpent�s Tooth, his cathartic apology to his father, Bruce.

Review: Bad Movie
While the search for Australia's worst boss is well underway, Joel Schumacher's Bad Company seems to point the finger squarely at the US Government - albeit accidentally.

Poetry: I Remember
Dermott Ryder knocks our Resident Bard off his podium this week with a little ditty about a bloke called Honest John

N E W S

Builder Blows Whistle on Kangaroo Court

Alarm Over Unis in Detention

Unions Spark New Super Push

Abbott Trips on Entitlements - Again

Picnic Day for Union Members Only

Memo: John Travolta - Come Fly With Us!

Cole Comfort to Bodgey Builders

Unions Eye SA Casuals Victory

Burrow: Paid Mat Leave Just First Step

Mayne Warning � But Will They Listen?

Drought Relief Should Extend To Rural Workers

Coca Cola Action Bubbles Globally

C O L U M N S

The Soapbox
The Royal Circus
CFMEU organiser Terry Kesby gives a first hand account of his experience before the Cole Royal Commission.

The Locker Room
Bravely Running Away
Phil Doyle is bewildered by the Australian Cricket team�s reluctance to join John Howard�s War On Terror.

Bosswatch
Nothing Exceeds Like Excess
As the world market lurches under the weight of its own amorality, regulators and business lobbies are locking horns over the need for more rules.

Week in Review
A Share of the Action
Sharemarket jitters produce mea culpas from the magnate set but, as Jim Marr discovers, loyal followers in the Howard administration aren�t likely to join the chorus any time soon.

L E T T E R S

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Bravely Running Away

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

"If I had my time over again I would never be a fast bowler. It's not worth it." - Harold Larwood, English Cricketer

When I was a young lad and started showing an interest in Australian Football I was lambasted by my father who argued that Rugby League allowed a man to represent his country.

Even putting aside the fact that no one in our family was ever going to represent Australia at Rugby League, no matter how many games we played in the Penrith juniors, this statement always struck me as somewhat

disingenuous.

Coming hot on the heels of the World Cup, League's attempt to provide international contest proved to be something of a dud. For as long as I can remember this has always been the way.

For over a generation Australian sides have belted the living crap out of all comers, except for the odd loss to the Kiwis in the wet, and those games affected by jetlag due to Australia's reluctance to stand up to international terrorism.

Given that League is hot property - outside of Queensland and the northern half of NSW - in Papua New Guinea, the eastern suburbs of Auckland, obscure parts of England's once industrial north and France's agricultural south-west I don't think that cosmopolitanism is its great strength.

Which is probably why the Australian Rugby League team was wary of the big broad world before their clash with England over the off-season.

Now the Australian Cricket team faces a similar test of character, with the upcoming test-series against Pakistan, scheduled for October, under something of a cloud.

Ruddock says it's safe over there, but Australia's cricketers - led by 'Quickie' McGrath and that great lover of poetry and red wine, Shane Warne - would beg to differ.

The ACB has also voiced its concern.

Someone is lying, either Phil Ruddock or the Australian Cricketers, or maybe both.

It would be a strange thing indeed if it's safe enough for those who came here looking to get away from the madness, but not for those who exhibit all that is strong and manly about this great land.

In these militaristic times maybe it's time for that great lover of cricket, John Howard, to show some leadership on this issue.

Australia's partner in the War On Terror, Pakistani leader General Pervez Musharraf, said he would personally intervene to pressure the Australian cricket team into touring.

Musharraf, while declaring his national team was the best in the world, said he would contact the Australian government to ensure that the tour would go ahead as originally planned in Pakistan.

Pakistan already seems to have accepted it has lost home rights for a tri-series one-day tournament between Pakistan, Australia and New Zealand slated for August-September.

The Pakistan Cricket Board said it was awaiting the green light from Australia and New Zealand to shift the series to Kenya.

Talk about playing away!

The man who is like John Wren but with a better publicity machine, Eddie McGuire, is going to find it increasingly tough to defend his 'old mate' Brad Cooper as the HIH debacle drags on. It's a sign of the times that a corporate collapse is the lead story in football circles mid-season.

I guess if you lie down with dogs you get up with fleas. Stay tuned for a Locker Room exclusive on that great Magpie loving Sydneysider and friend of football, Brad Cooper, next week.

We'll also turn our attention to the Commonwealth games, where we remember all those sports men and women that died so that we could keep China British.

Phil Doyle - looking for someone to smear his blood on late in the third quarter.

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Last Modified: 15 Nov 2005