E D I T O R I A L

A Sick Set of Laws
The Howard Government�s inexorable push to strip workers� rights continues; despite the warnings of unions, churches, community groups, labour market economists and now, epidemiologists.

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

Howard's Fatal Laws

Saving Private Buy-In

PM Scoffs at Wollongong

Commo Bank in Denial

Family Values

Johnny Fails Comprehension Test

Dole Bludgeoning - Andrews Comes Clean

Jason Turns Leave into Leave!

Halfback Puts the Boot In

Business, As Usual

Terror Laws Strike Fear

Asbestos Giants Claw Back Compo

Staff Told to Take a Hike

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

WHAT YOU CAN DO

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Labor's Love Lost

I note, upon reading some of your references to "HOWARD Government", being as we know the liberal party, and in every sense portrays and acts that way, liberally, but not in the best interest of it's constituents.

And, I note further your "hope it is a labour government", which in itself sounds reasonable, but alas, the labour government is no longer representative of the "worker" or "little man", or anyone else that hasn't got a truly "wealthy" bank account.

It appears as though both parties are utilizing the same political tactics, with the same goals well and truly being prescribed by who ever it is that is formulating their policies and decisions.

Neither party is representative of any of the majority of the population, as can be witnessed by the decisions and policies that they adhere to, regardless of common sense, common decency and impartiality.

I would strongly recommend the removal of the "legal profession" from the administration of either party, for they are a breed of their own, and do in fact practise openly in emptying their clients pockets, under the pretext of "looking after their best interests", then leading them up the "garden path" to a stage whereby, there are "no more funds", then they aptly suggest, that they should no longer pursue the matter.

If you want a better "voice" in the control of the decision making for our communities, then the best avenue of attack, is to select the party that you want to join, and participate in the decision making, but in order to make it an effective voice, you will have to "stack " all the branches and all the meetings with all your pre-paid or pre-promised cronies, and then "reject" every motion that is forwarded to "your head office", and simply impose your decisions on the party, regardless of their wishes.

By the time you reach this level, which is morally below ground level, you will have your own dictatorship, much in alignment of the present parties and governments.

There should be much more open and public government, and much more opportunity for the "voter" to have an active voice in their formulation and enactment.

Plain and simple, sack the scum at the top and put in place a more responsible and impartial, executive and administration ... No solicitors or legal eagles, no school teachers, or union delegates... and hopefully no more clowns.

Ken Buckley, NSW

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Last Modified: 15 Nov 2005