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Issue No. 314 07 July 2006  
E D I T O R I A L

The Power of Ones
Lorissa Sevens is no shrinking violet; she had mown down attackers for her nation playing defence for the Matildas. But even this sort of toughness means nothing in the face of WorkChoices.

F E A T U R E S

Interview: The Month Of Living Dangerously
When the mobs took over the streets of Dili it was the people of East Timor that bore the brunt. Elisabeth Lino de Araujo from Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA was there to witness what happened.

Unions: Staying Mum
Penrith mums, Linda Everingham and Jo Jacobson, are at the heart of a grassroots campaign to boot Jackie Kelly, out of federal parliament. Jim Marr caught up with one half of the sister act.

Economics: Precious Metals
There's a lot of spin around AWAs in the mining industry, but Tony Maher argues all that glitters is not gold.

Industrial: The Cold 100
The Iemma Government has come up with 100 reasons why WorkChoices is a dud, with 100 examples of ripped off workers

History: The Vinegar Hill Mob
This month's Blacktown Rally was not the first time workers had stood up for their rights in the region, writes Andrew Moore.

Legal: Free Agents
Is an independent contractor a small businessperson or a worker? The answer depends upon whether the contractor is genuinely �independent� or not, writes Even Jones.

Politics: Under The Influence
Bob Gould thinks Sonny Bill Williams is a hunk; he reveals all in a left wing view of The Bulletin�s 100 most influential Australians, questioning the relevance of some, and adding a few of his own.

International: How Swede It Was
Geoff Dow pays tribute to the passing of Rudolf Meidner, one of the architects of the Swedish model of capitalism.

Review: Keating's Men Slam Dance on Howard
These punk rockers are out to KO WorkChoices. Nathan Brown joins the fray.

N E W S

 Jihad Johnny Targets Perth

 Rio Sets Up Own Goal

 Telstra Fails to Snag Protest

 AWAs Bucket Queenslanders

 Kev Gives Aussies the Finger

 Movie Blue: Win-Win for Critics

 Wage Cut Scam Legal

 Hardie Boss Takes 60 Percent Rise

 The Stack Goes On

 Boss Opens Door For Thieves

 Hendy Banks on Mass Amnesia

 Eisteddfod Win: Your Rock At Work

 Airline Crashes Into Paypackets

 Canucks Can BHP

 Activist's What's On!

C O L U M N S

The Soapbox
Work Choice: US Military Style
John Howard has learnt a few lessons on workers rights from his Texan buddy, writes Rowan Cahill.

Politics
Westie Wing
As Pru Goward slams into the glass ceiling of the NSW Liberal Party, Ian West considers how women are faring under the Howard-Costello Government.

The Locker Room
A World Away
Phil Doyle is pleased that a display of subtle beauty and athletic grace has been overtaken by some good old-fashioned mindless violence

L E T T E R S
 Oz Hails Sun King
WHAT YOU CAN DO
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News

Eisteddfod Win: Your Rock At Work


Kids from Calwell High in Canberra have scooped the pool at the 2006 ACT Rock Eisteddfod with a stunning rendition of WorkChoices-inspired musical, 'The Devil's In the Detail'.

Renowned Canberra musician Simone Penkethman, who was part of the judging panel for the eisteddfod, saying the experience was like watching "Metropolis on ice".

"There was a feeling before the show that Calwell was taking a risk, however their piece had strong entertainment value. It featured very powerful images without being didactic.

"It opens like a Busby Berkeley production about how great the IR changes are, but over the piece we find out what the changes mean for young people.

"It's entertaining without pulling any punches."

The dance performance, which took a satirical look at the Federal Government's controversial industrial relations changes, featured Year7 student Matt Dromgold dressed up as Prime Minister John Howard.

Penkethman was impressed by the use of images of cogs and the sets as part of the choreography to show how the changes dehumanise workers.

"We're thrilled to have had our work recognised," says Cheryl Diggin from Calwell High. "We based our piece on a series of political cartoons published in Australian newspapers over the last 18 months.

"We were also influenced by The ABCs, The Chasers War on Everything, Charlie Chaplin's Modern Times and Fritz Lang's Metropolis.

"During the process the students gained a greater understanding of the issues involved and the impact it will have on them now, as casual workers, and later when they leave school and move into fulltime work.

"Some of them have already been forced to agree to a flat rate after having penalty rates abolished by their employers.

"They understand that employers have been given all the power with few safeguards for the workers."

ACT Senator Kate Lundy was thrilled by the win and congratulated the hard work of the kids involved.

"Calwell is an area that does it tough. These kids and their parents are at the forefront of the impact of the laws and know only too well what Howard's laws will mean for them."

Calwell High will now take the performance to the national eisteddfod in October.


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