E D I T O R I A L

Peak Performance
Leaders of the NSW trade union movement gathered this week to consider the role of their peak council in an increasingly deregulated labour market.

F E A T U R E S

Interview: Labor Law
NSW Attorney General Bob Debus expands on how he's bought a Labor agenda to the justice system

Unions: Critical Conditions
Jim Marr looks at one man's story to expose the workers compensdation rorts that are rife in the building industry

Bad Boss: Shifting The Load
Barminco, the biggest mine operator in Tasmania, has put its name forward for a Tony after being labeled the �boss from hell�.

History: Peeking Out
As unions push for workplace privacy, Neale Towart argues that its not just employers who might be peeking.

Safety: Flying High
Blaming the individual worker has always been at the heart of calls for random drug and alcohol testing, Neal Towart reports.

Corporate: Salaries High, Performance Low
As part of Labor Council's inquiry into executive pay, Bosswatch's Chris Owen has compiled this overview.

International: War on the US Wharves
Thousands of US dockworkers held rallies this week up and down America�s West Coast as well as in Hawaii, as the Bush Administration threatened to break one of America�s most powerful unions by using troopers as strike breakers.

Review: And the Signs Said...
Philip Farruggio argues the new horror flick 'The Signs' has a subtext that should resonate with working families.

Poetry: Tony Don't Preach
Melbourne car park attendant and LHMU delegate Tony Duras rewrote the Madonna and Kelly Osbourne hit Papa Don�t Preach.

Satire: Latham Dumps Rodney Rude as Speech Writer
ALP front-bencher, Mark Latham has fired speech writer Rodney Rude after calling the Prime Minister an 'arse-licker'.

N E W S

Qantas Dressed Down Over Uniform Backflip

Virgin Threatens Delegate Over Net Use

Email Protection Hits Firewall

Yarra Gets Rowdy Welcome Home

Cole Snubs Injured Worker

Victorian System Needs Reform: AIRC

First NEST Payout to Workers

Qld Public Sector Battle Heats Up

Community Workers Eye Canberra Show Down

Lift Techs Face Redundancy Lock Out

Council Workers Win Picnic Day Fight

School Support Staff Demand Recongition

Black Chicks Talk At Refuge Fundraiser

Colombian Left MP Applying For Asylum

Activist Notebook

C O L U M N S

Politics
Colour By Numbers
Labor council secretary John Robertson argues that the 60-40 debate ignores the real changes necessary in the ALP.

The Soapbox
Peas in a Pod
ACTU President Sharan Burrow gives her take on the new fetish for Public-Private Partnerships

The Locker Room
Go Dogs Go
As a student of form, Phil Doyle discovers that the Greyhounds are coming up in class and are all the better for recent racing.

Bosswatch
Rayland And Other Adventures
More evidence emerges in the HIH Royal Commission of the joys of life at the Top End of Town.

Human Rights
Tampa Day
Monday 26th August is no celebration, but the first anniversary of a National Shame should be recognised, writes Amanda Tattersall.

L E T T E R S

WHAT YOU CAN DO

	About Workers Online
	Latest Issue
	Print Latest Issue
	Previous Issues
	Advanced Search

other LaborNET sites

Labor Council of NSW
Vic Trades Hall Council
IT Workers Alliance
Bosswatch
Unions on LaborNET
Evatt Foundation

Tampa Day

We must never forget the treacherous series of events that saw the manipulation of refugees and the politics of racism divide our community and elect the Howard Government.

Yet although the so called Tampa Crisis symbolised a dark time for Australia's history, the campaign for refugee rights has grown.

The refugee rights campaign is large, diverse and growing. Across the country there are new organisations beginning every day. I am involved in one such organisation - Labor for Refugees.

We began in the branches of the ALP where rank and file anger with the ALP's support for mandatory detention and the "Pacific Solution" translated into a campaign for a more compassionate refugee policy.

Since the federal election, with the support of the Labor Council, this group has grown in strength and numbers.

Over 200 ALP branches in NSW have signalled their support for Labor for Refugees, which includes calling for a refugee policy that ensures those who escape from persecution are treated with dignity and respect in our community.

This is a campaign against the politics of division as well as fighting for compassion. As unionists, it is essential that we fight the Government's use of racism to divide us, because when we are divided we are less able to fight for workers rights and a decent society.

Labor for Refugees had its greatest success at the ALP State Conference this year when a motion calling for an end to mandatory detention was carried. Such motions have since been carried around the country reflecting the desire to immediately end Labor's support for mandatory detention.

However the campaign does not stop here. We must build support for change within the ALP while also building the community movement against mandatory detention. This movement has already been successful - over 50% of people now oppose mandatory detention. But it must grow if we are to end the racism and the persecution of refugees in this country.

You can get involved in this campaign by joining us at the Tampa Day Vigil at Town Hall on 26th August at 5pm, you can also join Labor for Refugees by emailing [email protected]. There will be a mass rally for refugees on 26th October, email [email protected] for more information.

By working together we can defeat the politics of fear, and eventually this divisive Howard Government.

  

  View entire issue - print all of the articles!

  Issue 148 contents

© 1999-2002 Workers Online
Workers Online is a resource for the Labour movement
provided by the Labor Council of NSW
URL: http://workers.labor.net.au/148/c_tradeshall_amanda.html
Last Modified: 15 Nov 2005