*****
Someone once said that California is 770 miles long, 250 miles wide and two inches deep.
Therefore it should come as no surprise that a place so shallow could throw up a leader of such intellect as the Gropernator, Arnie Schwarzenegger.
They say that art imitates life, but in America it appears that politics imitates Hollywood with Arnie set to reprise a role he made famous in the film Twins.
In this new version the role made famous by Danny DeVito will be played by another failed science experiment from the 50s, John Howard.
Howard's audience with Governor Schwarzenegger is part of his US junket for a photo-op with the mad cowboy himself, George Bush.
As it happens Schwarzenegger's Kalifornia is in the market for natural gas, and Howard is trying to sell them some pup from the BHP. Unfortunately the Californians place a high priority on safety and human life, so it doesn't really look like a deal that would suit the BHP.
Then again, if the Californians are after hot air why don't they just plug in Howard?
So what do Howard and Schwarzenegger have in common?
Well they're both wacky off-the-wall right wingers who lead lives that are totally out of touch with the concerns of ordinary working people.
Howard, of course, is the real terminator - just ask anyone who used to work in the Federal Public Service.
Despite their shared belief in the might of the U.S of A, and its divine right to run the universe, there is one area of profound difference.
One has visions of himself as a muscled military strongman blowing away bad guys with hand held heavy artillery, and the other is a movie actor.
All this circus is really about is getting the ego of the Prime Miniature over the line come the next Federal Election.
It remains to be seen whether this is a core or non core media stunt.
Who cares about the dead, the maimed, the destitute, the sick, the uneducated or the intellectually insulted that John Howard has crawled over on his way to what laughably passes as the top.
He wants to stay Prime Minister for as long as he wants to, and he isn't going to let pesky little issues like a sane foreign policy or competent management of national affairs stand in his way.
Why, when his idiot grin can be bobbing up next to serial lunatics like Schwarzenegger.
Our Twin Tools deserve each other.
Arnie might be the master of the meaningless one liner but he will get a good run from Howard, who's attempt to deliver a ham fisted wedgie last week fell as flat as Sydney's housing market.
Howard declared that marriage was an institution that consisted of a union between a man and a woman, not a man and a sheep, as preferred by elements of the National Party.
Methinks he doth protest too much.
Still, it's hardly a surprise - it was, after all, THE issue of the US presidential campaign for the last month - and Howard, like Arnie, knows how to follow a script. God knows he'd have to, the cretin hasn't had an original idea since Mal Fraser hired him straight out of the fourth grade.
Howard could pass himself off as a Thespian. He manages quite well with the straight face routine when saying that he cares about reconciliation, human rights or working people. That must take some acting.
He should work more on his delivery though, his lips appear to move but nothing is coming out.
Schwarzenegger has one famous line that Howard won't be using after the next election. "I'll be back."
CFMEU secretary, John Sutton, said the final figures, revealed by Federal Minister Philip Ruddock this week, showed how out of touch with the industry the Royal Commissioner had been.
"It probably explains his suggestion that construction workers would be happy to keep working for 14 percent less than EBA rates," Sutton said. "I'd wager that there would be plenty of building workers content to earn the extraordinary $237,000 he got for accommodation, allowances and expenses alone."
Workers Online understands that amount was bumped up by rental of a luxury house while the Royal Commission was in Sydney, Cole's home town.
Unions described the Cole Commission as "one-sided", "biased" and a "witch-hunt". A CFMEU move to have Cole stood down for "apprehended bias" was rejected in the Federal Court.
Cole brought down a 23-volume report that the Federal Government used to introduce legislation to Parliament that would severely curtail the rights of building workers and their unions.
By regulation, the Howard Government established a Building Industry Taskforce, headed by controversial former policeman Nigel Hadgkiss, that has drawn accusations similar to those levelled against the Royal Commission.
Much play was made of a "secret" volume penned by Cole that neither accused persons nor their legal representatives were allowed to see. Both Cole and former Workplace Relations Minister, Tony Abbott, said it made findings about behaviour that "might" have been "illegal".
So far, that volume has not led to a single prosecution.
The ALP got the final Cole Commission figures under a freedom of information request.
They revealed that 14 lawyers, including Cole, swallowed up $13 million and the total cost of running the commission topped $66 million..
Cole's final haul of $1,299,853 was made of $1,052,574 in salary, travel costs of $17,203 and expenses totalling $237,650.
Other Commission millionaires included John Agius, SC, $1.576 million (expenses $109,000); Lionel Robberds, QC, $1.329 million ($61,000) and Richard Treacey, QC, the man whose report bailed the Government out over the Security Intelligence scandal, $1.039 million.
Nicholas Green who led the legal attack on NSW building workers pocketed $971,194, including $44,606 in expenses and allowances.
Sutton called the "lawyers' picnic" a waste of taxpayers' money.
"At a time when working men and women face higher medical, education and housing costs, it's outrageous that our Government can pay 13 barristers $11 million to generate propaganda," Sutton said.
"How many safety inspectors could've been employed to enforce standards on construction sites for that sort of money? That might have made a difference and saved some lives."
Striking teachers are warning that Premier Bob Carr's attempt to hold themselves and the Industrial Relations Commission over a barrel has implications for the entire public sector.
Nurses, teachers, fire fighters and general public servants are all set to run Work Value cases before the IRC this year.
But scaling back the Government's assessment of the health of the economy in new evidence put to the Commission, along with a warning that "...the Industrial Relations Commission simply cannot continue to hand out unaffordable wage increases" has set alarm bells ringing.
NSW Teachers Federation secretary Barry Johnson said the State Government's actions were "never about the economy and never about the budget".
"It was always about whether the State Government wanted to pay teachers and other public servants the salaries they were entitled to," he said.
NSW Labor Council secretary John Robertson has put Treasurer Michael Egan and Carr's grip on the purse strings down to an obsession with retiring debt.
Robertson used the analogy of someone trying to pay off a 25 year mortgage in 10 years. You might save a lot of money but it doesn't do you much good if you can't pay the electricity bill or put food on the table, he said.
"You don't cut back on other services to fund a pay rise. The Government needs to say it will find additional dollars to ensure it can afford pay rises."
And if Carr doesn't, and he continues to undermine the umpire, Robertson said there would be an "almighty brawl in NSW".
"Don't interfere in the democratic processes of the IRC because if you do you will have the wrath of the whole trade union movement to deal with," he said.
MP Michael Danby made the claim in Canberra, after congratulating Groves on his move up the BRW Rich List courtesy of a personal fortune estimated at $175 million.
Groves' ABC Learning Centres are actively opposing Work Value cases being run by the LHMU in the ACT and Victoria in a bid to move entry rates for child carers from as low as $5.99 for teenagers, and $11.90 for adults.
The ABC Learning Centres stance is significant because it is the biggest for-profit operator in Australia with more than 300 childcare centres.
"While I would like to congratulate Mr Groves for moving up to 131 on the BRW Rich list, ABC Centres refuse to hire sufficient cleaners, refuse to pay staff a decent wage and require staff to bring their own music to play to the children," Danby said.
The MP for Melbourne Ports referred to a complaint he had received from an ABC Learning Centres employee who said she "couldn't afford to stay in the industry".
"At ABC we do all the cleaning in the centre and are expected to tidy the ouside areas as well," she wrote.
"I believe that if a job includes several roles ie cleaning and childcare, then maybe the award wage should reflect this. If ABC had to pay cleaners in each of its centres, it would cost hundreds of dollars, instead the childcare workers have to perform the role of cleaners to save Eddie more money.
"Staff are also required to play music at certain times of the day, which is not supplied by ABC and only gets played if staff bring in their own music."
Leading Liberal Party figures, including Jeff Kennett and Andrew Peacock, have been associated with the management of ABC Learning Centres.
Last year, Groves donated $10,000 to the Queensland Liberal Party.
Danby revealed Federal Treasurer Peter Costello had recently visited an ABC Learning Centre in Queensland.
He called on Parliament to scrutinise government subsidies to Groves' operation, especially in light of his highly-publicised handouts to the Brisbane Bullets and Brisbane Lions.
Workers Online understands Groves has begun legal action against the LHMU, alleging he had been portrayed as greedy and mean.
Now state secretary, Jock Ferguson, is asking vested interests, including the minerals giant, to "back off" and let Pilbara people have their say.
Ferguson criticised BHP Billiton for tying the future of its Boodarie Hot Briquetted Iron Plant, which employs 500 people, to the outcome of the investigation.
He said a public statement, made by iron ore division president Graeme Hunt, "cast a shadow " over the inquiry and potential witnesses whose families were dependent on the plant's continued operation.
Ferguson challenged BHP to commit to the hot briquetted operation before the inquiry opened.
His criticism followed claims form Port Hedland that safety had "plumetted" since BHP tried to drive unions out of its operations and used AWAs to create a climate where production took precedence over safety.
The call for an inquiry followed the May 2 death of 26-year old AMWU delegate, Cory Bentley, who was crushed in an early morning incident at the company's Port Hedland iron ore facility.
A mass meeting, attended by Ferguson and ACTU Pilbara organiser, Will Treacey, demanded an independent review as company reps started removing posters exhorting employees to "aim high, move fast", and graphically illustrating how far they had fallen behind million-tonne targets.
Treacey said Bentley's death came after a number of "near fatalaties" and a matter of hours after workers had notified the company of safety shortcomings.
Last week, a gas explosion at the nearby hot briquetted plant, saw Royal Flying Doctor Service aircraft from Derby, Meekatharra and Port Hedland mobilised to transport injured workers to hospitals.
The same day, a 19-year-old apprentice had his head crushed by a "piece of equipment" at the company's Iron Ore Body 25, operated by Henry Walker Eltin, near Newman.
Ross McKinnon died over the weekend as did one of the four burned workers rushed to Perth. Medics said AMWU member, James Wadley, had failed to survive burns to 95 percent of his body.
Two other men injured at the hot briquetted plant are still in Royal Perth Hospital with burns to 70 and 80 percent of their bodies.
On the eve of discussions with State Development Minister, Clive Brown, Ferguson refused to outline what the AMWU wanted from inquiry terms of reference.
"We are in touch with delegates, safety reps and communities in the Pilbara and will be guided by their advice,'" he said. "These are the people who know what's happending and the things that need to change.
"What we will be insisting on is an environment that encourages them to partiicipate without fearing for their jobs or furtures."
Latest Railcorp stats show on time running has plummeted below 50 percent just months after the NSW Government and Railcorp management trumpeted it as the key measure of the service�s efficiency.
Weekend and off-peak services will be slashed across the network and replaced by private buses from July 24, Railcorp CEO Vince Graham announced this week.
The cuts borrow heavily from the Parry Report, which sparked outrage amongst rail workers and passengers.
Rail Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) secretary, Nick Lewocki, attributed attempts to justify 30 percent service cuts to Railcorp "arrogance".
"The working week is no longer just Monday to Friday," said Lewocki, who pointed out bus drivers would not be able to get to work for their early starts.
The cuts will see two trains an hour cut from the Illawarra, Southern, Bankstown, Inner West and Western Lines on weekends; four services will be cut from the North Shore line; and buses will replace trains on early morning and late night services.
"This is just an economic rationalist approach to wind down services so that the Government will say that the public isn't using it, justifying more cuts," Lewocki said.
He slammed management attempts to blame cuts on train driver's overtime.
Howard�s Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR), headed by Peter Boxall, quashed an agreement reached between the CPSU and the Australian Electoral Commission after 18 months of negotiations.
"This Government is two-faced when it comes to wages. There is one rule for high-flyers like Peter Boxall and another for those on collective agreements," the CPSU's Jenness Gardner said.
"A fundamental plank of Government's IR policy is to clear the negotiating decks and leave employers and employees to reach suitable agreements for their situations.
"That's exactly what we've done but Boxall's Department has come in as a third party and interfered in that process."
AEC staff last received pay rises in July, 2002, and the CPSU says its rejected agreement provided for average annual increases of less than four percent
DEWR argues it failed to meet federal government requirements on "productivity and performance".
Gardner questioned the lack of transparency around the increases the Prime Minister quietly handed Boxall and 21 other departmental heads earlier this week.
"What, exactly, were their productivity improvements?" she asked.
Howard's green light has pushed their earnings to between$300,000 and $350,000 a year.
Electoral Commission staff, who took limited industrial action during negotiations, have launched email blitzes on Boxall and his Minister to have their agreement recognised.
The CPSU is calling on Special Minister of State, Eric Abetz, to overturn the DEWR ruling.
More at: http://www.cpsu.org.au/campaigns/AEC/protest/index.html
Unions revealed today Jetstar's Melbourne base, Avalon Airport, has no fire fighting equipment, firemen, or fire station.
The closest fire brigade is at the nearby township of Lara. It is a volunteer Country Fire Authority whose members have no aviation specific training.
All capital city airports have a permanently manned professional aviation fire service for the sole purpose of looking after accidents at the airport.
The fire stations have aircraft recovery equipment, all terrain vehicles, foam cannons on top of their firetrucks and specialised aviation fire training.
Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association secretery David Kemp said like everything else at Jetstar safety has been done on the cheap.
The ALAEA parked a mobile billboard at Newcastle airport during the airline's launch last week to warn passengers of Jetstar's safety shortcuts.
Jetstar aircraft will not be inspected by licensed aircraft engineers before each flight.
"While major airlines require an inspection be carried out be a licensed engineer before each flight, JetStar is proposing that pilots do this highly specialised work," Mr Kemp said today.
"We don't want to see Australian's world class safety record undermined by the new low-cost airlines and we will be doing all we can to convince them to use the expertise of licensed aircraft maintenance engineers before each and every flight.
Members of the AMWU presented Beattie with a fresh roll of paper when he turned up to open Scanlon Print's new 10-colour printer at Virginia, this week, so he wouldn't have to dig in his pocket if he was caught short.
Print division secretary, Danny Dougherty, accused the company of avoiding award obligations and threatening violence against union officials.
It had, he said, also levied a $2 a week charge on employees for tea, coffee, milk, sugar and toilet paper.
The AMWU is urging the Queensland Labor Government to assess a company's workplace performance before providing personal endorsements and lucrative contracts.
Dougherty says Scanlon's employment practices helped it undercut opponents and shouldn't be rewarded by a Labor Premier. He estimated 80 percent of its work came from government contracts.
"Scanlon, to put it mildly, is a very difficult employer," Dougherty says. "We have successfully prosecuted it in the Industrial Relations Commission on a number of occasions and recovered significant amounts for employees.
"Many of their workers are forced onto individual contracts that are generally inferior to the printing industry award."
Dougherty said the $2 weekly deduction "to assist with expenses such as toilet paper, coffee, tea, milk, sugar, and other staff amenities" was clearly set out on page four of the Scanlon Printing Company Staff Guidelines.
The NSW Chief Industrial Magistrate's decision extends coverage of New South Wales's workplace safety laws - this being the first prosecution of company directors for bullying under occupational health and safety provisions.
The court was told that the incident was part of an initiation ritual conducted by five workers, with management failing to intervene.
Concern was expressed by the court that an event of this type could have turned into something more serious.
Unions have welcomed the decision as sending a clear message about workplace harassment.
"Bullying, whether by workmates or employers, is unacceptable in the workplace," says CFMEU organiser Terry Kesby.
The news comes as Queensland moves to introduce tough new rules to crack down on the "modern workplace scourge" of bullying from June 1.
"The standard outlines what is and is not considered workplace harassment and highlights the workplace health and safety obligations of employers, workers and others." Says Queensland Employment, Training and Industrial Relations Minister, Tom Barton.
Queensland unions have welcomed the introduction of the Prevention of Workplace Harassment Advisory Standard 2004. Under the standards, a person subjected to repeated behaviour that is unwelcome and unsolicited constitutes harassment.
Queensland Council of Unions Assistant General Secretary, Chris Barrett, said the State Government deserved strong support from Queensland workers for showing leadership in an important area of workplace safety.
Federal Government introduced legislation into Parliament this week that would deny employees of small business access to minimum redundancy payments, just months after losing the argument in the Industrial Relations Commission
ACTU president Sharan Burrow called the move to deny maximum eight-week severance payments to staff of companies with less than 15 employees "heartless".
"This is a classic case of sour grapes," Burrow said. "Having failed to win the argument on the facts, the Howard Government plans to ignore the independent umpire and reduce entitlements for people who are laid off.
"Up to 100,000 people working in small businesses are retrenched every year and they need redundancy pay to help tide them over.'
Independent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveals that the overwhelming majority of businesses are profitable when they downsize and make workers redundant.
The Australian Industrial Relations Commission heard a lengthy submission from the federal government during a recent hearing on the matter.
It capped severance entitlements for small business employees at eight weeks - half the level otherwise applicable.
However, it seems the measure will go on Howard's growing election wishlist as Labor is opposed and pivotal Democrats senators have yet to be convinced.
"The Democrats have a long history of supporting the Australian Industrial Relations Commission," leader Andrew Murray said. "We recognise the commission's decision would have been made after considerable consideration of the issues."
The CBAJobswatch campaign is monitoring bank branches to make sure frontline staff numbers in branches are not reduced.
CBAJobswatch has been established by the Finance Sector Union (FSU) in conjunction with the Australian Consumers Association (ACA), and is also supported by the Combined Pensioners and Superannuants Association of NSW.
It is designed to allow Commonwealth Bank customers and staff to report on any reduction in hours worked by staff in frontline positions, raise awareness of chronic understaffing in any bank branch and determine the level of customer service in branches.
Commonwealth Bank's CEO David Murray has declared that, despite an announced loss of another 3700 jobs, there will be no affect on front line staff and service.
The FSU is encouraging staff, customers and the community to monitor developments at the CBA and ensure that current levels of staffing and service are maintained and improved.
FSU will collect information about the impact on service delivery of job cuts, and report comments to the CBA, publicly holding Murray to his word that customer service will be improved at "which bank?"
The CBAJobswatch can be contacted by phone anytime on 1300 305 209, 0r you can visit the CBAJobswatch website
The government's move follows successful campaigns by transport, banking and, most recently, roadside assistance workers to highlight issues facing employees of publicly listed companies.
Conservative Liberal MP for Parramatta, Ross Cameron, told the Financial Review that the move by NRMA employees to convene a special general meeting over moves to casualise jobs was "a form of industrial extortion".
Cameron's colleagues moved quickly to announce a move to amend the corporation's law to require the signatures of at least 5% of shareholders before a special meeting can be forced.
Labor spokesperson Stephen Conroy opposes the proposed changes.
Conroy said that with the need for corporate scrutiny greater than ever before, now was not the time to amend the law to make it unrealistically difficult for minority shareholders to call a company meeting.
The government tried in 2000 to raise the threshold for calling a public meeting to five percent of shareholders, but this was defeated in the Senate.
Making its decision on the first day of State Wage Case proceedings, a Wollongong sitting of the Commission agreed that the National Wage Decision should flow through to workers employed under NSW state awards.
Labor Council secretary John Robertson congratulated the Commission on giving the case the urgency it deserved.
"The union movement will now ensure the increase is flowed on to workers in all industries as quickly as possible.
"These wage increases just don't happen by themselves," Robertson said.
"It was the union movement working on behalf of its members that brought this case before the Industrial Relations Commission and argued its merits and the employers' contribution was to oppose it.
"Without a robust union movement no one would be getting a pay-rise."
The NSW award system covers about 400,000 workers.
The news has been welcomed by Fair Wear campaigners who mounted a street demo outside Akira Isogawa headquarters in Surry Hills, earlier this month.
A spokesperson called the move a "huge step forward".
Fair Wear noted that all Fashion Week designers were asked to seek accreditation but none had agreed. It says garments are being produced in outworkers' homes, for below award costs, are selling in elite boutiques and department stores for thousands of dollars.
Fair Wear has generated a new postcard design entitled 'Ugly Fashion' with the support of independent artist Deborah Kelly.
New NSW laws allow outworkers to claim unpaid wages from the Fashion House or designer who originally gave out the order if direct employers can't meet award entitlements.
Allanah Hill is the only leading designer, so far, to have formally sought accreditiation under the code which seeks to end outworker exploitation
Alternative Voice
Workers Radio every Wednesday from 5pm on 88.5FM 2RRR.
Your Alternative News and Information Radio!
Featuring: Current Affairs - Union Campaigns - What's Happening in Politics - Events and Actions - Views and Breaking News - Music
Contact:
Jagath 0419 404 997 Monica 0400 055 081 John 0418 839 026 Martin 0409 911 127
Pig On a Spit - Safari Picket
The famous CFMEU safari restaurant picket is now a nightly picket!
The CFMEU are conducting a picket of the Safari restaurant to get the owners to pay entitlements owed to workers (the owners are also builders). The Safari restaurant is in King Street Newtown. Picket is nightly (and every night until they pay up!). From 6pm. All welcome.
Donna Mulhearn - Iraq activist in Sydney
For those in Sydney: I'd like to invite you to a fundraising event to held on Sunday night in Balmain for "Our Home - Iraq".
There'll be live music, food and dancing - so it should be a great night for a good cause!
I'll be there to give a report on the projects, Ra'id will give an Iraqi perspective and there'll be lots of pictures!
The details are:
'Our Home - Iraq' fundraiser
Sunday 30th May, 6-10pm at the Exchange Hotel, Cnr
Beattie & Mullens St, Balmain.
Two bands playing : "Portrait "& "Phoenyx & Scott."
Fingerfood provided (snacks not full dinner) & drinks
at the bar. $25 per head. Replies (preferably before
the night) to Tonia Norton 98682501 or 0417696830.
So please come along and say "G'day".
Redfern at the Block - Open Day
Whanau Iwi Inc invites you to attend an open day at "the block' in Redfern (between Everleigh Street and Louis street) on Sunday May 30 - 10am to 5pm.
Entertainment
Culture
Stalls
Food
Face painting
Music
Kapa Haka
Hangi
Powhiri and Karakia starts at 10.00am sharp
This will be an alcohol and drug free open day.
PLAY FAIR AT THE OLYMPICS
Oxfam/Community Aid Abroad will be holding the Sydney launch of its labour rights campaign on Tuesday 1st June between 11am and 1pm in Martin Place near the Ampitheatre.
This international campaign is focussing on the working conditions of garment workers in the sportswear industry. Oxfam/CAA want to convince the Australian Olympic Committee and leading sportswear brands to ensure that all uniforms worn by Australian athletes and officials at this year's Olympics are made under fair working conditions.
For more information please contact Oxfam/CAA on 02 8204 3900 or at [email protected]
Labor for Refugees meeting with Carmen Lawrence
Date: Friday 4 June 2004 Time: 5.30 - 7pm.
Place: Meredith Burgmann's Office President's Dining Room Parliament House Sydney Aim: Debriefing after ALP National Conference Please advise [email protected] if you wish to attend so that we can organise numbers for the alcohol and nibbles which will be supplied.
ANDREW WILKIE SPEAKS OUT
7.30pm Wednesday June 9 at the Hutley Hall, North Sydney Council
$10 entry payable at the door
Involvement with the Iraq war is providing alarming insights into the wobbly health of the Australian democracy. The government is habitually dishonest, the public service is increasingly politicised, whistleblowers are vilified personally and the mainstream media is often reluctant to do what it can to turn events around.
Andrew Wilkie will explore all of these issues with the benefit of first-hand observations gathered as a true government insider � until his resignation on principle a year ago.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PHONE THE NORTH SYDNEY COMMUNITY CENTRE ON 9922 2299 OR VISIT THE CENTRE'S WEBSITE AT www.northsydneycentre.com.au
Is Australian Democracy Working for Women?
The Women's Electoral Lobby (WEL) are holding their national conference in Sydney on the 12th and 13th June. Sessions will cover
* legislation as a way to protect women's rights
* measuring the quality of women's lives
* creating a culture for work and family reform
* what women want
Speakers include Elain Thompson, Pru Goward, Reg Graycar, Eva Cox and Mary Crooks
To register and for further information contact WEL on 9212 4374 or logon to the website at www.wel.org.au
Popular Education Activism & Organising
Education is a key to developing activists and active members of organisations. The new activist educator is an organiser, teacher, consultant and theorist. What methods are being used today to equip activists to build social movements? Does activist education reflect a democratic agenda or is it largely instrumental? How do we know if educational practices are working? Are new theories of learning be utilised? This is the second of a three forum series looking at different education, organising and activist strategies being used by movements and organizations pursuing social justice and change agendas. Union activists, environmental campaigners, community advocates, educators and grassroots campaigners are participating in the forums. The forum will actively engage participants in discussing and analysing different experiences. Case Studies Date: Friday, 18 June 2004 Time: 9am - 1.30pm Location: Centre for Popular Education University of Technology, Sydney Jones St, Broadway (Old Fairfax Building) FEES - $30 for one forum; $50 for two forums For further details contact Lee Malone (02) 9514 3861, Daniel Ng (02) 9514 3843 or Tony Brown (02) 9514 3866 email: [email protected] For updates go the Centre for Popular Education website
We heard recently that the PM in Australia labelled Murali as an Illegal Bowler.
Unfortunately, the Prime Minister of Australia appears to be uninformed and has tried to mislead the ordinary cricket fans all over the world by entering in to this debate. While he is accusing Murali of being a chucker, the Prime Minister is chucking all the way through his political career.
Never ever GST? And Tampa refugees? He has chucked all throughout his Political Game. He told the Australian Public that he would `never ever' introduce the GST - but he managed to get away from it. Core Promises and None Core promises, we all remember the Tampa Refugees. He created huge division amongst Australians by accusing the refugees of throwing their children overboard, and the people of Australia trusted him and then later it was revealed that incident never occurred. This time too he survived and continues to play the game of politics.
So far John Howard (Honest Johnny?) has refused to say sorry to Aboriginal people for the stolen generation carried out by the previous Governments and under the guise of `Protecting' the indigenous owners of this land. Millions marched all over Australia but he refused to say sorry.
Once again ordinary Australians marched on the street in every city and asked the Australian Government not to involve us (`Not in our Name') in the Iraq War and majority of Australians believed that there were no (and still not any) weapons of Mass destruction in Iraq. Still John Howard followed George Bush and ended up in this mess in Iraq. So far thousands of innocent Iraq women and children have died and because of his chucking behaviour in Politics. Now Baghdad is a paradise for the terrorism etc.
There are many issues in the Australian political game which he has managed to chuck and he is still getting away with it. The best thing the Australian Prime Minister could do is to correct what he has done wrong in the past. However, that would take a very long time and would probably never happen.
Alternatively, he should just leave and allow the rest of us the task of cleaning up Australian Politics for future generations. At the same time he should refrain from accusing Murali (World No 1 Bowler), one of the most gifted and genuine Cricketers the world has ever known (According to the Wisden Almanac), of being a chucker and get back to what he does best - dividing and ruling for the rich.
After all, Murali's action might not be `technically' perfect (although effective and beautiful to watch) but it is not a premeditated attempt at `chucking' unlike john Howard's `cheating' neo conservative agenda of division and deception of the Australian people.
We all could say very loudly and clearly John Howard has Chucked all the way in His Political Career and he needs to be expelled from the game of politics on this up coming election once and for all.
That's the Best outcome for Australia and its Future.
JAGATH BANDARA
George W Bush put himself forward to the American people as a 'compassionate conservative'; John Howard is the world leader of the conservative club and they all bow down to the high priestess of conservatism, Dame Maggie Thatcher.
But the economic, global and social policies our American leader and his Antipodean consort are currently promoting are anything but conservative.
As David McKnight points out in this month's 'Soapbox', the essence of conservatism is a doctrine that values tradition, institutions and the existing rules as the basis of society's foundations.
To conservatives, the case for any change carries a heavy onus and tends to be embraced, at best, incrementally. This stance made Conservatives the natural enemies of radical Socialists in the last century and it was this stand-off that helped define our 'Left-Right' political divide
This conservatism has little to do with the zealous and radical doctrine of the neo-conservatives like Bush and Howard.
They are the champions of economic deregulation - from trade policy to the labour laws -= their mission is cut back on the rules and institutions that have governed the market since the industrial revolution.
They are the warriors who have bypassed the United Nations to construct a New World Order based on the doctrine of pre-emption to protect US interests.
And they are the political practitioners who have been prepared to wedge their societies on issues like race, refugees and the institution of marriage for their own short-term advantage.
The impact of these leaders on the world has been as radical as any plaid-shirted revolutionary; it might hurt us to admit it but they have changed the world.
Perversely, the modern day conservatives, in its truest meaning, are the green Party's that challenge most fundamentally the radical market economics in a bid to conserve our natural environment.
As for social democratic parties like the ALP? They are in the difficult positioning of defining themselves in an era when old divides between Left and Right, Conservative and Radical do not mean much any more.
As McKnight points out, the beginning of this process is to dispense with the doctrine and look for values that drive us to engage in politics for the first time: the desire for stronger more cohesive communities, a better future for our kids, a world where markets work for us not the other way around.
It is a political vision that is both Transformative and perversely, Conservative.
If we can translate it into a new politics, then the early years of the new millennium will not have been suffered in vain.
Peter Lewis
Editor
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