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Issue No. 355 | 01 December 2006 |
Seven Year Itch
Interview: Flying High Unions: TUF on Toll Industrial: Forward to the Past Economics: Debt and the Economy Obituary: The Charlatanry of Milton Friedman Environment: Low Voltage Legal: The Fair Deal Review: A Little History
Global Campaign for Jailed Iranian Union Leader Bully Tactics Can�t Dull Protests Which Bank Slashes Work Rights? Sunday�s The Day For Future Rallies Case Dismissed: No Justice in WorkChoices China (S)trains Procurement Policy Historic Case Restores Security Final Hurdle for Medibank Sell-Off
The Soapbox Parliament Health
Boss With a Heart
Labor Council of NSW |
News Final Hurdle for Medibank Sell-Off
Consumers and workers will be worse off if Medibank Private, Australia's largest health insurer, goes under the hammer, according to the union-backed Save Medibank Alliance. "A for-profit Medibank would put the interests of shareholders ahead of members," said campaign spokesperson Margaret Gillespie, of the CPSU. A foreshadowed cost-cutting campaign - in the face of predicted rising premiums - would see member services plummet and jobs cut from across the insure, said Gillespie. A recent report by accountancy firm CRA International claimed the sale could result in 7% 'increased efficiency', specifically by "rationalisation of management, call centre and customer service mechanisms". The Howard Government - which intends to sell Medibank if reelected - will use its numbers in the Senate to push the bill through, said Gillespie. The impact of the sale on the community has not been thoroughly investigated and there will be no avenues for parliamentary scrutiny or review of the sale beyond next week .
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