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Issue No. 286 21 October 2005  
E D I T O R I A L

Lord of the Lobster Legs
It was probably only shame that prompted the Prime Minister to drag himself away from a $250 per head fundraiser to meet with a group of emergency workers in Wollongong this week. But, this in itself may be a development.

F E A T U R E S

Interview: Under Fire
Michael Crosby outlines his agenda to save the movement � and explains why Australians have nothing to fear from the SEIU.

Politics: And the Winners Are ...
Wal King, Allan Moss, Roger Corbett, Chip Goodyear, Michael Chaney and David Murray have lots in common, writes Jim Marr.

Industrial: Un-Australian
Labour lawyer Clive Thompson argues the changes to IR are fundamentally at odds with the national tradition of consesensus.

Economics: The Common Wealth
As the policy wonks debate the future of our cities, Neale Towart mounts a simple argument: It�s the real people in a society, stupid

History: Walking for Justice
The Eight Hour Day, a very Australian celebration, had its origins in New Zealand it seems, writes Neale Towart.

International: Deja Vu
A group of trade unions have walked away from America's peak council, again. Labourstart's Eric Lee was there.

Legal: The Rights Stuff
Terror laws have sparked a fresh debate on a Bill of Rights - and workers have a bigger stake than ever before, writes Rachael Osman-Chin.

Review: That Cinderella Fella
Russell trades the phone for mitts in an inspiring cinematic slug-fest. Nathan Brown is ringside

Poetry: Is Howard Kidding?
Mel Cheal asks who Howard thinks he is kidding to the tune of the �Dad�s Army� theme song.

N E W S

 Family Grieves an Enterprise Worker

 All Quiet in Dandenong

 Hotline Gets Wires Crossed

 High Flyer Crashes Families

 Bolt Strikes Lecturer

 Good Heavens - Della Plays Santa

 Maori Take Challenge to Canberra

 Drips Fail Water Test

 Hardie Shuts the Door

 Hadgkiss Threatens Protesters

 Army Fires Salvo

 The Munro Doctrine

 IR Sparks Emergency Call

 Tassie Jobs Hit By Truck

 Canberra Coy on Promised Statements

 Inquiry to Speak No Evil

 Activist's What's On!

C O L U M N S

The Soapbox
No Place For A Woman!
Doreen Borrow spoke to the Public Service Association�s women�s conference in September about her experiences of working life that span seven decades.

Postcard
North By Northwest
Phil Doyle returns from up north, where he survived on nothing but goodwill, good people and a great big orange bus.

The Locker Room
Disaster
In which Whatsisname slams the recent poor form of Thingummyjig.

Parliament
The Westie Wing
Our favourite MP, Ian West MLC, gets all casual in his latest missive from the Bear Pit.

L E T T E R S
 Sacking For Dummies
 DIY Tool
 Thus Spake Sydney Uni
 Morgan�s Way
 Vote 1 Dictator
 Howard�s Choice
 Buying peace Of Mind
 Coolies Bullish
 Unfair ads
 Rev Kev Speaks
 Politicians
WHAT YOU CAN DO
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News

Maori Take Challenge to Canberra


A demolition worker dudded out of entitlements has vowed to be in the front row of a mass haka planned to challenge Howard�s work laws.

Rawiri Iti will join 200 other Maori workers to perform the haka outside parliament house in Canberra in November as the politicians inside are debating the new work laws.

Iti, who joined his 21 brothers, sisters and cousins in travelling from the Hokianga Harbour area of New Zealand to Australia in search of work, is an employee of D3 Demolition, who folded owing $150,000 in entitlements.

"It will be an honour to be in the front line leading that haka," says Iti. "The laws they brought in in New Zealand in the 90's have split up families as they have had to leave to find work.

"Let's not have the same thing that happened in New Zealand happen here."

Iti estimates that 90% of the workforce of D3 Demolition is Maori.

Pickets have been set up outside D3 Demolition jobs at the ABC Technology Park at Gore Hill and at Coles Epping; where there are fears the site is contaminated with asbestos.

"New Zealand workers, and in particular Maori workers, were more the victims in the 1990's anti-union legislation very similar to that being proposed by the Howard Government," says NSW secretary of the CFMEU, Andrew Ferguson.

Maori from other unions will join CFMEU members outside parliament house on November 2 for the mass haka.

Maori wanting to join the haka can contact Steve Keenan on 0410 559261.


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