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Issue No. 296 24 February 2006  
E D I T O R I A L

Sad Sacks
It has been a sad spectacle watching a Labor Government run down public servants, as they have in NSW this week.

F E A T U R E S

Interview: Court's in Session
As the silks line up to challenge WorkChoices, Jeff Shaw is fighting for his own legacy - the NSW IR system.

Industrial: Whose Choices?
The Howard Government's WorkChoices legislation has been dissected by lawyers and the commentariat; now it's the turn of political economists.

Politics: Peter's Principles
Forget John Howard. The force behind WorkChoices is Peter Costello. The Prime Minister-in-waiting has devoted a lifetime to undermining the security and living standards of Australian families, Jim Marr reports.

Environment: TINA or Greener?
What does the greenhouse effect and legislation to control workers have in common, asks Neale Towart

History: Its Not Just Handshakes and Aprons
Power. They have it, we want it. Friendly societies tried to keep it for working people, writes Neale Towart

International: US Locks out Jose' Bove
The US Government has refused to allow France's most famous farmer Jose Bove into the country to address a conference

Education: No AWA - No Job
The Howard Government has given the Australian community its first view of the future by forcing new staff at Ballarat University to sign an Australian Workplace Agreement if they want a job, writes Jenny Macklin.

Culture: Jesus was a Long-Grass Man
The writings of a Middle Eastern theologian may provide guidance to those grappling with indigenous issues, writes Graham Ring

Review: Charlie the Serf
Nathan Brown takes the sledgehammer (and sickle) to Mr Wonka's Chocolate Factory.

N E W S

 Taskforce Shrugs Bashed Teen Worker

 Abattoir Blues

 Car Plant Puts Pedal to Metal

 Call Me Now: Rev Kev

 Fat Boss Sings

 Unions Back After This Break

 Public Cuts Must Be Last

 Apprentices Grow Up

 �Castle Win Keeps Trains On Track

 Chicken Worker Stuffed

 �Revolving Gangplank' at Sydney Ferries

 NSW Councils Short $21 billion

 Activists What's On!

C O L U M N S

The Soapbox
Hitler in Bowral
Political censorship has made its wasy to the sleepy Southern Highlands, wrties Rowan Cahill.

The Locker Room
No Laughing Matter
Phil Doyle tries to take Australian sportspeople seriously, and fails.

Parliament
The Westie Wing
Ian West is mistakenly sent an advance copy of John Winston Howard�s Little Blue Book of Australian History�

L E T T E R S
 Lest We Forget
 For Whom the Toll Bells
 Unfinished Business
 Labor Sells Hydro
 Stop the Hordes
 Packer Whacker
WHAT YOU CAN DO
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Letters to the Editor

Unfinished Business


As an LHMU member, the article "Capital Punishment on the Menu" made clear that it is the calm before the storm. The vulnerability of Filipino guest workers are a sharp example of Federal government IR policy to return Australia back to the regime of individual contracts under the Masters and Servants Act of the 19th century.

Its not just foreign workers. Indigenous people were put on Work-For-The-Dole labour programs ten years before non-Indigenous workers. They have always been underpaid, treated like slaves and racially vilified. Indigenous public servants are leaving the government bureaucracy running Aboriginal affairs in droves because of the taken position they play.

The paternalism of Australian governments results in racism that is all pervasive in the lives of every single Indigenous person. For 218 years there has been rampant land theft, stolen wages and children, and the decimation of entire Aboriginal nations. This has been, and continues to be an ongoing genocidal war.

The Stolenwealth Games in Melbourne, and the spin congratulating our so-called multiculturalism hides a dark history, and the present reality of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australia. The Black GST, which stands for Genocide to be stopped. Sovereignty to be restored. Treaty to be made has an Indigenous leadership bringing together Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. We will be opposing the Games as part of our convergence in Melbourne from all over Australia.

There is unfinished business between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australia, and that is the reason to support the Black GST.

Craig R Hall

Indigenous Social Justice Association

( Melbourne Supporter's Group )


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