E D I T O R I A L

What�s In a Name?
McDonalds is doing it, IAG has done it, James Hardie desperately needs to do it � and now the Labor Council of NSW is doing it, re-working its brand to meet the changing demands of their markets.

F E A T U R E S

Interview: The Reich Stuff
Robert Reich has led the debate on the future of work � both as an academic and politician. Now he�s on his way to Australia to help NSW unions push the envelope.

Economics: Crime and Punishment
Mark Findlay argues that the present psychological approach to prison programs is increasing the likelihood of re-offending and the threat to community safety.

Environment: Beyond The Wedge
Whether the great forestry divide can ever be overcome or whether it is best sidestepped for the sake of unity and sustainability in other areas is up for debate, writes Tara de Boehmler.

International: The End Of The Lucky Country
Linda Weiss, Elizabeth Thurbon and John Mathews show us How To Kill A Country

Safety: Tests Fail Tests
Nick Lewocki from the RTBU lifts the lid on the shonky science behind RailCorp testing

Politics: Labo(u)r Day
John Robertson lets fly at this years Labor Day dinner

Human Rights: Arabian Lights
Tim Brunero reports on how a Sydney sparky took on the Taliban and lived to tell the tale.

History: Labour's Titan
Percy Brookfield was a big man who was at the heart of the trade union struggles that made Broken Hill a quintessential union town writes Neale Towart.

Review: Foxy Fiasco
To find out who is outfoxing who, read Tara de Boehmler's biased review of a subjective documentary about corrupt journalism.

Poetry: Then I Saw The Light
Brothers and sisters! Praise the Lord! Brother George has saved the White House from an invasion by infidels, writes resident bard David Peetz.

N E W S

Unions Dump Labor

Shearers Brush Woolly Mammoths

Girls Should Be Short Changed

Sydney Turns Down Volume

Minister Rides Collie

Staff, Trees Weather the Blame

Offshore Embassy for Families

Visy Paper Folds

Workers Unplug Power Cuts

Silverwater Offers Porridge

Environment Wiped Out In Dubbo

Justice Eludes Kariong Staff

Nelson Flags Another Raid

Five Steps to Sanity

Activists What's On!

C O L U M N S

The Locker Room
In Naming Rights Only
Phil Doyle has Gone to Gowings

The Soapbox
Homeland Insecurity
Rowan Cahill tells us how the Howard Government�s appointment of Major-General Duncan Lewis to head up the national security division of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet has received little critical comment, until now.

Parliament
The Westie Wing
New proposed legislation in NSW provides a vital window of opportunity for unions to ensure they achieve convictions for workplace deaths, writes Ian West.

L E T T E R S

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Let's Start A New Party

Whilst agreeing with Robert Manne (Age-Syd Morn Herald Mon 1-11-04)that Labor will now move to the right to try to pick up the middle ground they percieve to have lost I must also agree with Barry Jones that there is seemingly no difference between the Two main Parties anyway in Australia.I believe as Robert Manne says that the Left in Australia needs to get out of the Labor tent working with the community and various groups to continue the progressive cause.How to convince Doug Cameron of the AMWU,Sharan Burrow and Greg Combet of the ACTU,Leigh Hubbard Brian Boyd of Trades Hall,John Robertson NSW Trades and Labour Council,Dean Mighel ETU,Martin Kingham,John Maitland,John Sutton CFMEU,to release their constituents from the hold of the "Right Wing" ALP Powerlords and search for left wing life/purpose elsewhere is the problem.

As i have explained many times to various Union leaders and delegates in

Victoria since i myself resigned from the Public Office Selection Committee (POSC) in the ALP, the Left will take 50 years to stack branches,stack committees,stack votes in ballots etc to regain an equal footing/voice with the right but will never ever regain control of the party that the left itself started. (I resigned the POSC due to the Bracks Governments dealing with the Nurses and Police disputes and threatening to use the Federal Court system to intervene in negotiations (Not unlike Kennett or Howard Liberal governments i thought) and also the lack of assistance to my own home region Gippsland/Latrobe Valley,previous LABOUR HEARTLAND following privatisation

of the former SECV and the resulting spiraling unemployment and social impact including marriage breakdowns,Suicide,Youth Unemployment,Youth

Suicide etc.I then resigned from the party completely following the ALP and Beazleys weak and inept me too effort at the previous election with their overall policies but especially the policies on Refugees,Noodle Nation and Health etc).

I believe a united left wether that means the Labour movement joining an alliance with other left wing groups such as the Socialist Alliance,Greens,Indigenous Australians,Unemployed,Students etc or the Labour movement going it alone to win seats at the next federal election. A ticket could be used in preparation - practice at the next Victorian State Election and other upcoming State Elections.

If Left Wing candidates were to win several seats and i would be looking towards previous Labour Heartland as an ideal scenario to win, An example would be like in the previous New Zealand government which was a minority Labour Government made up with Green and Union seat winners to take Government. This way i believe would be the quickest and most practical way for the Left to regain a say in Australian politics. A Coalition not unlike the Liberal/Nat partnership.Win win for both sides as the ALP can then move to the Right to "snuggle up to business" and pick up the "Swinging Middle" whilst the Left can run an unimpeded agenda at grassroot politics something the Alp is ashamed to do or promote . The problem currently is Labor want to Court the Swinging middle and Business (again no different to Howard) but at the same time alienate and lose traditional heartland.

Lindsay Tanner is correct when he says Labor has to decide what and who it stands for.My "Divorce" or "Temporary Seperation" idea allows both sides Left/Right the opportunity to to represent the constituents they believe in and also to work out what and who they represent.

To end i do believe Right Wing White Collar acedemics has taken over and

ruined the Left Wing Blue Collar Party.

Steven Presley

Gippsland, Vic.

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Last Modified: 15 Nov 2005