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Issue No. 271 | 08 July 2005 |
Polls Apart
Interview: Battle Stations Unions: The Workers, United Politics: The Lost Weekend Industrial: Truth or Dare History: A Class Act Economics: The Numbers Game International: Blonde Ambition Training: The Trade Off Review: Bore of the Worlds Poetry: The Beaters Medley
CFMEU Resists Standover Tactics Cardinal Adds Weight to Concerns
The Soapbox The Locker Room Culture Parliament
Do It Yourself? Goodthink Vale the Eight Hour Day The vision thing Campaign Pushes Right Buttons It�s Time to Punt the PM Bob Each Way Ads Value Travel Allowance? Hits the Mark Reforms not an Erosion
Labor Council of NSW |
News Cardinal Adds Weight to Concerns
Cardinal Pell told the latest edition of The Catholic Weekly he was worried the Howard program would effectively push minimum wages down. Cardinal Pell called on the Prime Minister to step back form his legislative program and allow time for consultation. "We've had a long period of prosperity in Australia and I think that means that the necessity for radical change needs to be established," he said. His statement followed downright opposition to elements of Howard's program from the National Council of Churches and representatives of the Uniting, Anglican and Catholic faiths. Parramatta's Catholic Bishop, Kevin Manning, is urging Senators to consult their consciences before voting on Howard's new workplace regime. "When the Federal Government has control of both Houses of Parliament, it is virtually impossible to prevent if from passing whatever laws it likes," Bishop Manning warned. "At times party leaders declare a 'conscience vote' allowing members of their parties to vote, without repercussions, according to conscience rather than the party line. "For the Christian politician, every vote must be a conscience vote." In an open letter, the Bishop recalled a 1986 meeting between Parramatta factory workers and Pope John Paul 11. He quoted the late Pope as praising Australia's "almost unique" system of workplace arbitration and conciliation. The Pope said the system had helped defend workers' rights while taking into account the requirements of the whole community. "I would hope in the new legislation, our cherished tradition of solidarity, mateship and fairness would not be dealt a blow in the name of productivity and profits," Bishop Manning wrote. "The test of a workplace relations system is whether or not ordinary workers have safe and healthy working conditions, wages sufficient to support themselves and their families with dignity."
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