E D I T O R I A L

Hit and Myth
John Howard came to power on the back of a myth about the sort of Australia we had once been; now he is creating a new myth about the sort of Australia we want to become.

F E A T U R E S

Interview: Fortress NSW
NSW IR Minister John Della Bosca on how to win the battle for workers rights - and save the state system.

Unions: Fashions Afield
With new anti-sweatshop creations being paraded at this year's Australian Fashion Week, is equity the new black and are sweatshops the new fur? asks Tara de Boehmler.

Industrial: Pay Dirt
John Burgess argues that the flow-on effect from changing the minimum wage could be more than we bargained for.

Politics: Infrastructure Blues
With much attention given belatedly to the shortage of infrastructure, little attention has been given to the structure of infrastructure, writes Evan Jones

History: Big Day Out
Neale Towart looks back on the events that created the May Day heritage.

International: Making History
Hundreds of aid organisations, charities, trade unions and religious groups have formed a global alliance called � Make Poverty History�.

Economics: The Fear Factor
The solution to skill shortages is intelligent planning, argues John Spoehr

Review: The Robots Revolt
New kids flick Robot uses our electronic friends to teach audiences that inbuilt obsolescence is just a state of mind, writes Tara de Boehmler

Poetry: The Corporation's Power
The idea of a corporations power that could cure any ill has inspired our resident bard, David Peetz, to verse.

N E W S

Sign or You're Gone

Unions Back a Winner

Howard Chases Nurses

Victims Champ Joins Resistance

Red and Green Blue

Usual Suspects Lead Cheer Squad

Ugly Australian On Charges

Aussies Longer and Harder

Guard Attached, Then Sacked

Doh � Homero Loses Voice

Bunbury Families Win Payouts

Double Standards For Dads

Libs Back 'Illegal' Rally

TAFE Teaches A Lesson On Winning

Activist�s What�s On!

C O L U M N S

The Soapbox
May Spray
Unions NSW secretary John Robertson delivered the annual May Day Toast - and warned it is no time to be comfortable and relaxed.

The Locker Room
A Rucking Good Time
Phil Doyle reveals many things, some of them useful

Parliament
The Westie Wing
Our favourite MP, Ian West, is back to regale us with inside goss and intrigue from the Bearpit.

L E T T E R S

WHAT YOU CAN DO

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Libs Back 'Illegal' Rally

NSW Liberal Party leader, John Brogden, was rebuffed in an attempt to address the anti-land tax rally but Shadow Treasurer, Peta Seaton, joined the march and IR spokesman Chris Hartcher rushed out a media release commending the CFMEU's "neutral streak".

The union championed the call to axe the taxes on the basis they threatened thousands of jobs and risked causing a slump in the building industry.

CFMEU construction division state secretary Andrew Ferguson said the building workers marching at the rally were breaking the law under Howard Government's legislation and that by marching in the protest Seaton condoned the breach.

"This passionate anti-industrial manslaughter law campaigner was apparently unfazed by endorsing a rally which could be deemed illegal under her own party's retrospective and draconian legislation," Ferguson said.

Hartcher said in his media release that he looked forward to "working with the CFMEU and other unions to formulate policies which will benefit NSW, employers and workers".

Ferguson said he was "unfazed" by Hartcher's glowing endorsement but hoped his pledge to work co-operatively with unionists would prove to be more than just talk.

"While the union appreciates that the Liberal Party saw sense on this occasion we would call for more consistent support of the CFMEU in working for a strong, safe and fair building industry.

"Brogden should speak to his federal leader and work out whether the CFMEU should be attacked or be worked with," he said.

In a win for the marchers, the NSW Government has since reinstated the tax free threshold for properties with land values under $330,000.

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Last Modified: 15 Nov 2005