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Issue No. 188 | 25 July 2003 |
Solidarity Gets Sexy
Interview: As They Say In The Bible ... Industrial: Just Doing It Unions: Breaking Into the Boys Club Activists: Making the Hard Yards Bad Boss: In the Pooh Unions: National Focus Economics: Pop Will Eat Itself Technology: Dean for President International: Rangoon Rumble Education: Blackboard Jungle Review: From Weakness to Strength Poetry: Downsized
Gloves Off Over Workers� Rights Win for Victims of Rio Tinto "Blood Sport" League Players Join Union Team Kodak Chops Workers from Picture Stool Lady�s Stand Vindicated Nurses Seek Work-Based Elder Care High Tech Pokies Threaten Jobs
The Soapbox The Locker Room Postcard
Does This Make Me a Raving Trot? More on Bullies And More �
Labor Council of NSW |
News Aussie Stars Buck Trade Off
Karvan was amongst a group of actors, campaigning to protect Australian culture by opposing the free trade agreement who took their message to a Senate inquiry this week. The Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance has made the trade agreement a priority issue, recognising the massive impact it would have on members in the entertainment industry, "The regulations that we have in place for our industry are totally crucial," Karvan told ABC radio. "I mean, they're just not something that can be negotiated in any degree whatsoever... we almost wouldn't have an industry if we didn't have the regulations we have and I wouldn't have a job. I wouldn't be earning a living. " Karvan says that up against an industry like America, it already has 90 per cent of the Australian film box office. "Really, we can provide about 25 films a year because of the subsidies," Karvan says. "If we just rely on the private sector to produce films it's going to be really slim pickings." Howard Told to Come Clean Meanwhile, the ACTU is calling on the Howard Government to reveal all the details of its proposals for a Free Trade Agreement with the United States amid concerns that the deal could threaten major Australian industries, jobs and essential public services. Trade Minister Mark Vaile has been in Hawaii this week for talks on the US-Australia Free Trade Agreement, which reportedly includes plans for zero tariffs between the two countries. ACTU President Sharan Burrow says that Australia's car and textile industries, film and television production, financial services sector, Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and government procurement programs were at risk from the proposed US Free Trade deal. Burrow also called on the Government to end the secrecy surrounding its negotiating position on upcoming world trade talks on the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS). "Australia's existing health, housing, education, childcare, water, energy, postal and telecommunications services are threatened by the GATS proposals," Burrow says.
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