E D I T O R I A L

An Act of Faith
After a week of watching the Howard Government attempt to explain their vision of work relations we have a clearer picture of what the social safety net will be in the future – an act of faith

F E A T U R E S

Interview: The Baby Drought
Social ethicist Leslie Cannold has delved into why women - and men - are having fewer children. And it all comes back to the workplace.

Industrial: Lies, AWAs and Statistics
David Peetz uncovers the truth behind the latest statistics on earnings under Australian Workplace Agreements.

Workplace: The Invisible Parents
Current government policies about work and family do not reflect the realities of either family life or the modern workplace. writes Don Edgar.

History: Bruce’s Big Blunder
The Big Fella, Jack Lang, gives an eyewitness account of the last time Conservatives tried to dismantle Australia’s industrial relations system.

Politics: All God's Children
The battle for morality is not confined to Australian polittics. Michael Walzer writes on the American perspective

Economics: Spun Out
The business groups are feeling cocky. The feds have announced their IR changes, business says they don't go far enough. What a surprise, writes Neale Towart

International: Shakey Trials
Lyndy McIntyre argues the New Zealnd IR experiment provides warnings - and hope - for the Australian union movement.

Legal: Civil Distrubance
Tom Roberts argues that there is more at stake than an attack on building workers in the looming legsilation.

Review: Crash Course In Racism
Paul Haggis flick Crash suggests that when cars collide the extent of people's prejudices are revealed sans the usual veil of political correctness, writes Tara de Boehmler.

Poetry: You're Fired
New laws will leave bosses holding the whip and workers with a Raw Hide, writes resident bard David Peetz

N E W S

Beattie Dares Job Vandals

Broken Hill Confronts "Choice"

BHP Faces Losses

Howard Threatens Babies

Working Between the Flags

Hadgkiss Makes History

Bob The Organiser

Johnny Packs Toothbrush

Security Blunders to the Max

EDI Court Out

Feds: Do As I Say …

Soaring Mercury Sparks Walk Off

Unions Offer to Play Libs

Education Stands Up To Howard Assault

Dodgy Bosses Get a Tick

Weight Watchers Raise Scales

Hyundai Showdown a Riot

Activists' What's On!

C O L U M N S

The Locker Room
Ashes to Dust
In which Phil Doyle travels to distant lands in search of a meat pie, and prepares for the joys of sleep deprivation

Parliament
The Westie Wing
Ian West lists the Top Ten reasons why workers in NSW can gain some solace from having the Labor Party sitting on the Treasury benches…

The Soapbox
Dear John
In response to this year’s Federal Budget, Bishop Kevin Manning wrote an open letter to the Prime Minister, Mr John Howard

L E T T E R S

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Security Blunders to the Max

The shock revelation came as the country's largest airport emerged as a security hotspot, fending off allegations that lax standards were playing into the hands of crime bosses and potential terrorists.

The airport, now under the control of former secretary of the Prime Minister's department Max Moore-Wilton, has reeled from one devastating security revelation to another.

Recent allegations have included ...

- the involvement of rogue baggage handlers in a cocaine smuggling ring

- interference with travellers luggage, highlighted by the Schappelle Corby case in Indonesia

- ducking security improvements because of cost as in not introducing shrink wrapping until months after Melbourne and Brisbane adopted the practise

Only last week, Sydney Airport's head of security was dumped, after it was revealed he had received adverse mentions in the explosive NSW Royal Commission into Police Corruption.

Then, the Australian, broke news of a Customs report that detailed serious security flaws.

Max "the axe" Moore-Wilton, pointman for new owner Macquarrie Bank and close associate of the Prime Minister, has played the "ignorance" card on every occasion.

He has also sought to use political connections to press state government for a greater NSW police presence at the privatised federal facility, eliciting a dry response about user-pays from the state's police chief.

Now the airport is at the centre of claims that contracting out policieshave seen casual security screeners, some with radical affiliations, accessing secure areas.

The LHMU claims up to 20 percent of security screeners bypass usual clearances, courtesy of daily passes gained by producing a driver's licence.

LHMU secretary, Annie Owens, says the temporary pass system is a serious security loophole.

"You could rock up there today and the company, or someone properly authorised, could get one for you if you have business there," she said.

The union says the only requirement to gain access to secure areas is that an existing passholder signs a newcomer in. Unlike casuals, permanent passholders are put through an eight-week security checking procedure.

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Last Modified: 15 Nov 2005