
Issue No 29		03 September 1999

News

Carr Ministers’ New Years Eve Betrayal

Carr Government Ministers quoted in media reports opposing a public holiday for New Years Eve have been asked to clarify their position to NSW workers.

The NSW Police Association has raised concerns at the attitudes of Ministers Bob Debus, Richard Face and Kim Yeadon, who were reported in the Sun-Herald as opposing the public holiday.

The Labor Council has asked the government to declare New Years Eve a one-off public holiday in recognition of the special nature of the event and the fact that thousands of workers will be forced to work on the night.

"It is to be hoped that these members were misquoted given the fact that it is unlikely that Parliament will be sitting nor is it likely they will be required to service their constituents on the night on question," Police Association secretary Peter Remfrey says.

"In contrast, a range of workers both in the public and private sector will be required to work to ensure the rest of the community will be able to enjoy the festivities," Remfrey says.

Labor Council secretary Michael Costa says its "highly inappropriate" for Ministers to be commenting on proposals that are awaiting Cabinet approval.

"It's especially galling when you consider State Parliament sat for just 49 days last year," he says.

A Cabinet decision on the public holiday issue is expected this month.

  Should workers get a public holidy on New Years Eve?

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  Issue 29 contents

Activists: Virtually Here - Eric Lee
From the Kibbutz to cyberspace, Andrew Casey profiles the work of an Internet class warrior.

Interview: Net Benefits
Sean Kidney has been combining business savvy with social justice for more than a decade. He gives us his take on unions and the Net.

International: Dateline Dili
As the United Nations attempts to begin counting the votes from East Timor’s independence referendum, the capital Dili is rapidly spiralling out of control.

Unions: Secret Herbs and Spices
Read KFC worker Claire Hamilton's speech to last week's Second Wave Rally.

Politics: Loosening Labor’s Links?
Is Labor under Kim Beazley fundamentally changing its social appeal and turning itself into the Australian equivalent of Bill Clinton’s Democrats?

Labour Review: What's New at the Information Centre
Our regular update on papers and articles for union officials and students.

History: Immigration, Racism and the Labour Movement
An upcoming conference asks some hard questions about the politics of immigration.

Satire: Crime Figures Down: NSW Elections Postponed
The release of statistics showing decreasing crime rates has threatened to delay the next NSW election.

Review: Trains of Treasure
A new CD of poems and songs pays tribute to our rich locomotive history.

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» Dress Nazis: Undies, Jewellery in Uniform Code

» Clothing Farce: Only the Smalls are Home Grown

» Overseas Trip for Organiser of the Year

» State Transit Lodges Claim on Bus Drivers

» Compo Stats Don’t Justify Slash and Burn

» Second Wave on Misos Menu

» Workers Rally To Protect Disabled Homes

» Carr Ministers’ New Years Eve Betrayal

» Telstra Execs Doing Quite Well, Thank You

» Award Breach. Did Nike Just Do It?

» Unions Back League Class Struggle

» STOP PRESS: Images of Burma

» Musos, Authors in Joint Fundraiser