|
Issue No. 294 | 10 February 2006 |
Total Impact
Interview: Court's in Session Industrial: Whose Choices? Politics: Peter's Principles Environment: TINA or Greener? History: Its Not Just Handshakes and Aprons International: US Locks out Jose' Bove Education: No AWA - No Job Culture: Jesus was a Long-Grass Man Review: Charlie the Serf
Capital Punishment on the Menu Unfair Sackings Face Challenge Holden's Bad Deal for Adelaide STOP PRESS: Guest Worker Plan Goes to Water Taking a Punt on Melbourne Cup Newcastle Rails Against Contracts Free Enterprise Kills Hundreds
The Soapbox The Locker Room Parliament
Belated Merry Whatmas? The Grinch Who Stole Christmas I Think Therefore I Scam A Taxing Answer Leslie John Turner
Labor Council of NSW |
News Howard Coy on Ad Orgy
Melbourne newspaper, The Age, has been told publication of correspondence between Minister Kevin Andrews and his department about the $55 million campaign "would not, on balance, be in the public interest" but it would still be made available if the paper stumped up $5158. The Age appealed the Workplace Relations Department decision on the grounds that the documents were of public interest, particularly given the breadth of response to the legislation and the amount of public money spent. The department rejected that appeal. The Age had already revealed that the Prime Minister's office was intimately involved with the campaign, run by companies that handle Liberal Party election advertising. Just four days before the ads went to air, last October, a Howard adviser informed departmental officials of inclusions the Prime Minister wanted in the campaign. One possibility for the obstruction is that that Howard-sanctioned email appears to run counter to his government's decision to renege on a pledge to release a family impact statement on the legislation. A spokesman from Minister Andrews' office refused to comment on the FOI application, saying it was a matter for the department. The ACTU and federal ALP have criticised the veil of secrecy drawn over the advertising campaign.
|
Search All Issues | Latest Issue | Previous Issues | Print Latest Issue |
© 1999-2002 Workers Online |
|