Courting Public Opinion
This weekend marks a significant step forward in the evolution of union campaigning, with the launch of $8 million in advertising to hit the Howard Government where it hurts � in the lounge rooms of middle Australia.
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
Insults Hertz
Andrews Bends Over for Big End
Boeing, Boeing Gone
Cobb & Co Punt Parkes
Corporates Arm Firing Squad
Quad Gets the Brush
Practical Joke Costs Police
Unions Target Soap and Grunt
US Backs Terrorists
Royalty Held Hostage in WA
Bad News Rising On AWAs
Workers Exercise Choice
Howard Scores Own Goal
RailCorp Shocker
Activists Whats On!
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
Wandering In The Wilderness
Once Upon A Time In America
The Truth Is Out There
History Repeats
Cash Cow On Private Tax Farm
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Bosswatch
Unions on LaborNET
Evatt Foundation
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Letters to the Editor
Cash Cow On Private Tax Farm
Evans Jones' article 'Infra Structure Blues'(Workers Online, May 2005)is a stark analysis of 'tax farming' at work. 'Tax farming' is only possible when there is monopoly control of essential goods or services. It has been the basis of imperialism in history. The British had the salt monopoly in India until Gandhi did the 'Salt March'. China's first Emperor Chin Shih Wang controlled his subjects on pain of death if anyone undermined the state's salt monopoly. James Watt in having to travel from Edinburgh to London to raise capital for his steam engine even commented on the inumerable private tolls he had to pay along the way. In colonial Malaya the British administration as a matter of policy have raised revenue by farming out monopolies on opium dens, prostitution dens and gambling dens. The succesful bidders were invariably the racketeers and 'scumbags' themselves. Fast forward Australia post-Hilmer, the British imperial legacy of 'tax farming' is alive and well. Only the faces have changed. Corporate greed will do very well for itself even without outside help. But when government lends a hand we have a new breed of welfare recipients the likes of whom we have not seen.
Y K Yau
NSW
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Issue 268 contents
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