E D I T O R I A L

I'm No Economist, But �.
I'm no economist, but there a few things about the national economic debate right now that I don't quite get.

F E A T U R E S

Interview: Rock Solid
Bill Shorten gives the inside story on the Australian Workers Union's involvement in the Beaconsfield rescue.

Industrial: Eight Simple Rules for Employing My Teenage Daughter
Phil Oswald bought up his kids to believe in their rights; so when his 16-year old daughter was told to cop a pay cut she was never going to take it quietly.

Politics: The Johnnie Code
WorkChoices is encrypted deep in the PM's political DNA, writes Evan Jones

Energy: Fission Fantasies
Adam Ma�anit looks at the big business push behind the 'clean nuclear' debate that is sweeping the globe.

History: All The Way With Clarrie O'Shea
The WorkChoices Penal Powers are the latest in a long line of penal sanctions against trade unions, writes Neale Towart

International: Closer to Home
If Australia can forgive its debt to Iraq, why not to Indonesia and the Philippines, write Luke Fletcher and Karen Iles

Economics: Taking the Fizz
While the Treasurer has been popping the post-Budget champers, Frank Stilwell gives a more sober assessment.

Unions: Stronger Together
Amanada Tattersall looks at the possibilities of strengthening alliances between unions, environmental and community organisations

Review: Montezuma's Revenge
Tommy Lee Jones directs and stars in a film about racism and retribution, writes James Gallaway.

Poetry: Fair Go Gone
Employers in the land rejoice, for we are girt by greed.

N E W S

Grandmother Fights Fabrication Company

Bog Standards, Hanssen Exposed

Foxtel Channels Contracts

Telstra Dials Up A Shocker

Viva La Resolution

Smirk Boss Loses Control

Iemma Told To Change At Central

On The Tiles

APHEDA Offices Attacked

Vanstone Sits On Wages

PM Slap for Battered Women

"Spineless" Andrews Apologises

Howard Lags �Best Practice�

Harper's Bizarre Theories

Process Abused - Call Peter McIlwain

Activists What's On!

C O L U M N S

The Soapbox
The Beaconsfield Declaration
As the Prime Minister feted Brant Webb and Todd Russell, their colleagues were outside with a message to the rest of Australia.

The Locker Room
Run Like You Stole Something
Phil Doyle observes that there are some tough bastards out there.

Parliament
The Westie Wing
That fun-loving friend of the workers, Ian West, reports from the red leather of the Bear Pit.

Education
Class Action
Phil Bradley draws the lines between education funding and the current skills crisis.

L E T T E R S

WHAT YOU CAN DO

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Activists What's On!

An Urgent Appeal From Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA

We need to raise money immediately so that the people of East Timor can rebuild their lives after the recent unrest.

Please send a generous gift to assist local organisations in rebuilding a peaceful, free and productive society in East Timor.

Click here to donate using our secure online donation form https://secure.fantasticone.com/apheda/order_form.php Select East Timor from the drop down menu under 'section C. Once Off donations'.

OR phone our toll free number 1800 888 674

OR send a cheque made out to APHEDA Inc. with a note alerting us that it is for the East Timor Appeal

The recent conflict in East Timor has severely disrupted the day-to-day lives of the population and has been a blow to the confidence of this young independent nation. Union Aid Abroad - APHEDA would like to provide additional support to its partner organisations in East Timor to help rebuild infrastructure and restore confidence. Support from donors like yourself can help make this happen.

Union Aid Abroad -APHEDA will need to quickly respond to the needs of local partner organisations in East Timor when they are able to resume their work. These key civil society organisations focus on strengthening vocational skills, developing the union movement, resolving conflict peacefully and informing the population through independent media.

Union Aid Abroad - APHEDA's partner organisations are likely to need assistance in the following: Repairing any damaged infrastructure or equipment Replacing stolen or damaged goods Restarting their programs Developing programs that encompass reconciliation and peace building activities using community radio and theatre groups Providing vocational and income generating skills to unemployed young men so they feel they have a share in the future of their community.

You can help by donating:

$1000 - To fund a vocational training workshop targeting young unemployed males $500 - To fund a theatre tour to rural villages to promote reconciliation $100 - To partially fund training for community radio stations on developing programs that support peace building and reconciliation $50 - To help make a gate to secure an office building $30 - To help replace stolen/destroyed office equipment

By donating to East Timor you will be helping the traumatised people of this nation redevelop confidence and hope that their nation can continue to grow and prosper.

You will be supporting programs that equip individuals and communities in East Timor with skills and experiences to create a peaceful, free and productive society.

Your support for the people of East Timor is so important for them at this difficult and unsettling time.

Sydney Trade Union Choir

I am a member of the Sydney Trade Union Choir and wonder if any people out there would be interested in joining. You don't have to be a great singer. The main thing is that you are interested in social justice issues. We do many exciting gigs where like-minded people appreciate the sentiments, as well as venues where people do not. It's exciting and I believe makes a difference. All voices are needed, tenors most of all, but sopranos, altos and basses are all very, very welcome. Come along and enjoy yourself while doing the right thing for your country and your fellow Australians!

pat francis [email protected]

0 Invitation to 'Our Common Wealth' Launch

The launch of the New Matilda Our Common Wealth project marks the beginning of a shift in Australia's public policy debate.

We believe there is a policy vacuum in Australia. Too often policies are ad hoc, thrown together in time for an election campaign or developed in response to the latest political crisis.

It's time for policies based on Australia's long term interests and values.

'Our Common Wealth' sets out the values and principles on which policies should be based. It's an expression of where we stand.

Join Wendy Harmer, as the MC, Quentin Dempster, ABC journalist, John Robertson, Unions NSW, Virginia Young, The Wilderness Society, Professor John Dwyer, UNSW, Professor Denise Bradley, Vice Chancellor, UniSA, and John Menadue AO, Chair, New Matilda, ...in calling for a change of direcation in Australian public policy.

Location: Jubilee Room, State Parliament House, Macquarie St, Sydney www.newmatilda.com.au Time: 12pm - 1pm Date: Tuesday 13th June

RSVP by Thursday 8th June: p) 02 9211 1635 m) 0432 360 234 e) [email protected]

Public Protest and the Law

UTS:Community Law Centre hosts Public Protest & the Law Workshop with Environmental Defenders Office & Legal Aid - 14 June 2006:
6pm - 7.30pm.

Description:

This is a free practical workshop about legal issues confronting people involved in public protest. Hosted by the UTS Community Law Centre in conjunction with the Environmental Defender's Office and NSW Legal Aid Commission.

This workshop is of particular relevance for those wanting to be informed about the rights and obligations concerning public protests.

All participants will receive a free advance copy of the EDO publication "Community Protest and the Law: A Handbook for Campaigners in NSW" (forthcoming).

Fact sheets by the UTS:CLC will also be available.

The workshop will include discussion of:

* Common criminal charges
* Police powers and responsibilities
* Arrest, detention and bail
* Getting legal advice and preparing for court
* Civil liability for defamation and interfering with business activities

Light refreshments will be provided following the workshop.

Location:
Building 5 Level 1
Blackfriars Campus
University of Technology Sydney.

About the Organisers:
The UTS CLC provides a free legal service for all UTS Staff and Students and is committed to community based legal research, law reform and policy development.

The Environmental Defenders Office (EDO) is a community legal centre specialising in public interest environmental law.

The NSW Legal Aid Commission (LAC) is the state government agency responsible for providing legal aid and assistance to disadvantaged people in New South Wales.

To register, or for more information, please contact: Tisha Dejamanee, EDO Education Assistant, on 02 9262 6989 or email [email protected]

Banner Making Workshop is mooted for Friday June 16th @2.00pm @ 6 Station Street Katoomba Home of Katoomba Neighbourhood Centre. This workshop is being held in preparation for Your Rights at Work Rally @ Blacktown on 28 June, 2006. This would be a good chance to meet the leaders of Community Groups with a viw to involving them in a belated united effort on Howards IR.

Work, Industrial Relations and Popular Culture Conference

Monday 25 September 2006.

Brisbane Work and Industry Futures QUT, and the Department of Industrial Relations Griffith University are convening a one-day conference that explores Work, Industrial Relations and Popular Culture.

David Pope, the cartoonist behind the Heinrich Hinze cartoons will be Keynote Speaker with his presentation - "Is the pen mightier than s356? Cartoons and Work" (www.scratch.com.au)

We welcome any paper that explores the manner in which popular culture is used by unions, management or policy makers or alternatively, how work and industrial relations is represented within popular culture.

Sub-themes for the conference include: - Policy, Influence and Modern Mediums - Which is Reality, Work or TV? - Popular Music: Is it the End of the Working Class Man? - Working in the Movies: What do we see? - Popular Culture as a Teaching Tool. Call for Papers. Abstracts are due 14 July 2006 Full papers are due 11 September 2006 Location; Southbank, Brisbane.

The convenors would welcome participants to submit proposed titles earlier to assist in preparations. For further information please contact Keith Townsend ([email protected]) or David Peetz ([email protected])

Rekindling the Flames of Discontent: How the Labour and Folk Movements Work Together

A Conference - Dinner - Concert

The Brisbane Labour History Association is holding a Conference/Dinner/Concert on Saturday 23 September. This event will explore the historical relationship between the labour movement and the folk movement in Australia with a particular emphasis on Queensland. Why? To celebrate the history of the interaction between the Folk and Labour movements, and promote its longevity. When? Saturday 23 September. Conference from 1pm. Concert from 7pm.

Where? East Brisbane Bowls Club, Lytton Rd, East Brisbane, Next to Mowbray Park

It is still in the formative stages, but to date the following are confirmed:

1-5pm CONFERENCE (will include music with the presentations):
Doug Eaton on John Manifold & the Communist Arts Group in Brisbane, Brisbane Realists
Bob & Margaret Fagan on Sydney Realist Writers
Mark Gregory on trade union & labour songs/music, nationally/internationally
Lachlan & Sue on international perspectives

5 - 7pm Drinks followed by DINNER

7 - 11pm CONCERT
Combined Unions Choir
Bob and Margaret Fagan
Mark Gregory
Jumping Fences

For more information contact the BLHA President Greg Mallory on [email protected], or Secretary Ted Reithmuller on [email protected], or Dale Jacobsen on [email protected]

Coast Goes Online

Check out the brand new Central Coast Your Rights at Work Website www.centralcoastrightsatwork.com.au

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Last Modified: 09 Jun 2006