E D I T O R I A L

Tarnished Rings
As our athletes approach the starting line in Athens, it is interesting to reflect on how the world has changed since Sydney was the centre of a global group hug just four years ago.

F E A T U R E S

Interview: Trading Places
New ACTU International Officer Alison Tate cut her teeth delivering aid to developing nations through APHEDA. Now she is helping chart the global union agenda.

Safety: Snow Job
James Hardie has been drilled into our collective consciousness as a story of power, greed and immorality. It is also, as Jim Marr reports, a tale of human tragedy.

Politics: In the Vanguard
Damien Cahill reveals how neo-liberal think tanks have been at the forefront of the corporate assault upon trade unions and social movements in Australia.

Unions: Gentle Giant Goes For Gold
Don’t get between Sydney sparkie Semir Pepic and a gold medal in a dimly lit alley, writes Tim Brunero.

Bad Boss: 'Porker' Chases Blue Ribbon
Perfect Porker, Darren Vincent, brings a history of meat worker shafting to this month’s Bad Boss nomination.

International: Cruising For A Bruising
Europe’s big unions are bruised as they watch companies roll over some of their best-organised unionised workplaces demanding longer work hours – without any recompense, reports Andrew Casey.

History: Under the Influence
Was John Kerr drunk when he wrote and signed the letter dismissing Edward Gough Whitlam from the Prime Ministership in 1975? Geraldine Willissee investigates.

Economics: Working Capital
Where superannuation fits, where it fails and what we should we do about it. Neale Towart gives the tough answers.

Review: Fahrenheit 9/11
There's many a must see moment in Mike Moore's new flick but beating the propaganda machine at its own game wreaks havoc with wearied bullshit detectors, writes Tara de Boehmler.

Poetry: Bad Intelligence Rap
When Flood washed away the PM's sins, the truth was once again left high and dry.

Satire: Osama Bin Manchu
During a recent visit to an elderly relative in a nursing home, I was waylaid by an ancient gentleman who insisted I listen to what he had to say, writes Rowan Cahill.

N E W S

Stink Rises from Hamberger

ALP Embraces Collectivism

Bully Drives Deckhand into Drink

Fighter in Cancer Link

Tunnellers Dig in for Safety

Seconds Out in Newcastle

Vale Josh Heuchan

"Betrayal" Sparks Election Rethink

Councils Wedge James Hardie

Great Southern Death Rattler

Libs Desert "War Criminal"

Casuals Take Over

ALP Star Hits The Waterfront

Activists What’s On!

C O L U M N S

Parliament
The Westie Wing
The Labor Governments in each State must take the lead to stop the abuse of corporate law in Australia in the absence of action from the Federal Government, as the Inquiry into James Hardie’s has highlighted, writes Ian West.

The Soapbox
Cleaners Deserve Our Support
It's time the state's cleaners were given some support, loyalty and long service leave, writes Chris Christodoulou.

The Locker Room
Half Time At The Football
Phil Doyle wants to have his pie and eat it too.

Tribute
Faithful Servant
Frank Mossfield was one of the labour movement’s quiet achievers. Former Labor Council secretary Michael Easson pays tribute.

Postcard
Lessons From East Timor
Just back from a study tour to East Timor, National Reserach Officer with the Construction division of the CFMEU, Ben Stirling, writes about the experience for Workers Online.

L E T T E R S

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An Officer And A Teacher

The Editor.

I would like to address all those Men, still alive, but in their latter years, who were Officers of Cadets, in Both Public and Private School, until they were disbanded after the Vietnam War.

They Still remain, in some Schools and Communities, but the Cost of Running is paid for by that Community and the Members.

This Also Includes the Airforce and Naval Cadets.

Following The Press release of the Hon. Malcolm Brough MP, Minister assisting Defence, that a Medal would be Struck for ALL members of the Services, since 1946 and the Offer of The Opposition of 3 years, IF they get into power-- things are still BAD.

I suddenly find, that during My Time as an Officer of Cadets, I had NEVER been a Member of the Australian Army.

Quote "The Australian Cadet Corps is a voluntary organization comprised of

Senior Cadet Detachments raised at educational establishments in all States of the Commonwealth. It serves as a training ground to provide, to some extent, the future officers and non-commissioned officers of the Australian Military Forces, and, as such, occupies a foremost position in the scheme of national defence. The minimum age of enrolment in school detachments is 14 years and cadets, who receive a free issue of A.M.F. pattern uniform, may remain therein until they cease to be pupils of respective educational establishments. "

Now. We ALL spent thousands of Hours, Organising, Training -lunchtime/After

School/ Weekends/ annual Camp -- Attending Courses as Officers.

I lay beside them , as they learnt to Shoot, Scrambled through the Paddocks with them, Congratulated them when they Joined the Regulars and wished them the best, when their marble came up for Vietnam. But, none of us were IN the Army -- I now find.

My Discharge Papers from the Cadets, shows my Period of Enlistment on

Australian Defence Force Stationary, but I find I was NEVER a Member, even a CMF/Reserve.

We could gain a 15 Year Cadet Forces Medal, which is Under Military Medals, in both the Imperial Honours days and the Australian Honours -- is on Sites such as "Its an Honour", but we were Never Soldiers ---- Simply Chaperones.

The State RSL of NSW, now Accepts 10 year Officers of Cadets, as Full Members. They, Obviously, are under the same impression as me -- we were Army.

Where does All this come from?

I now find , from a 101 year Old Act on Defence, that -- section 62(3) of the defence Act 1903 that : "A person appointed to be an officer or instructor in the Australian Army Cadets does not become a member of the Army by virtue of that Appointment".

I and hundreds who have contacted me, would like to see this ' unknown ' Act retrospectively Repealed, so that Officers of Cadets can be classed as ADF

Reserves and be entitled to Awards of the CMF / Reserves.

Most of us, were Ex WW2 or National Service and Adequately trained to be in charge of these units. We MUST be at least equal, to Members of the CMF at the time.

I and Others from this Period, Complain LOUDLY to the Assistant to the Minister for Defence; The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence and your Local Member. Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition and Inform them that :-

We SHOULD get recognition, WELL before 15 years, in a Proper Military Manner

-- Medal and Ribbon.

The promised Australian Defence Medal/Defence Recognition Medal ˆ call it what you will, would be ideal ˆ even if it had a 10c bar stating „CADETS‰

I would be Grateful if ALL Affected seniors or their Widows, could Contact me, to TRY and right this inequity.

Sincerely.

Ex 40 year Teacher.

Dave MARRINON. JP.

Brunswick Heads. NSW.

[email protected]

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Last Modified: 15 Nov 2005