
Issue No 37		29 October 1999

News

Vics Look North for IR Inspiration

Victoria's new industrial relations minister Monica Gould has held talks with her NSW counterpart about the process of re-establishing a state industrial relations system.

Gould met with NSW industrial relations minister Jeff Shaw this week for over an hour, to discuss how NSW established its system and the model that process arrived at.

The meeting raises the prospect that Victoria's new Labor Government may move to reverse the Kennett administration's decision to hand industrial relations powers over to the Commonwealth. Such a move would be a major blow to Peter Reith's dream of a single industrial system.

At the meeting Shaw explained the importance of a consultative process and an open door policy to all stakeholders as key elements to any successful reform of the system.

Shaw says he's heartened that the whole eastern seaboard is now under Labor government and that within three years he's gone from being the soul Labor labour minister in the country, to a member of the majority.

"With the three most populous states under Labor, there is the real prospect of building an alternative vision on industrial relations where the protection of workers is placed at the centre of the process," he says.

Unions Seek Democrat Talks Over Reith's Takeover Plans

Meanwhile, NSW unions will seek a meeting with Democrat Senator Andrew Murray after he indicated he would support Peter Reith's plan to establish a single national industrial relations system.

Reith this week announced he would look at using the corporations power of the constitution to unify all industrial relations system, in a move already dubbed his Third Wave..

Labor Council secretary Michael Costa told this week's executive that while unions welcomed suggestions by Murray that much of the Second Wave was dead in the water, he needed to be briefed on the impact of the unification proposal.

"As a states-rights organisation we don't want to see our system destroyed," Costa said.

"But more importantly, under the current federal system such a move would represent a substantial diminution of workers' rights."

View entire issue - print all of the articles!

Issue 37 contents

Republic: Yes, It's Time
Opposition leader Kim Beazley invoked the spirit of '72 when he launched the ALP's Republic campaign.

Interview: What Price a Just Republic?
Magistrate Pat Oďż˝Shane is far from happy with the republican model. But she still believes a Yes vote is her best chance for genuine constitutional reform.

Economics: Who the EFIC are you?
If you have not heard of Export Credit Agencies, don't be surprised because it seems they're not too interested in letting the public know what they do.

Unions: Old Habits Die Hard
With the release of its blue print unions@work the ACTU seems to know where it wants to go. But again it has failed to face up to the underlying structural issues preventing it from getting there.

Legal: Second Wave: Reith's Non-Right to Strike
Peter Reith has called his new laws the Workplace relations Amendment (More Jobs Better Pay) Bill 1999. If legislation is to carry these new, colloquial titles then the ďż˝More Control, Less Freedomďż˝ Bill would be a better title.

International: Wahidďż˝s New Team
Indonesias new government is blemished by Suharto-era appointees but an advance for reform, says Indonesiaďż˝s trade unions.

History: They Fought Them on the Airwaves
Radio broadcasts were an important weapon in the long-running struggle for equal pay.

Satire: Revealed: SOCOG Reserving Gold Medals for Tattersalls
The scandal over the secret allotment of premium tickets for the 2000 Olympics escalated today with the news that members of Sydneyďż˝s elite Tattersallďż˝s Club will receive Gold Medals without actually competing.

Review: What The Age Wouldnďż˝t Print
Some time before Monday 18 October, Age editor Michael Gawenda saw red and then got out his blue pencil. An article, heavily critical of Robert Manne, written by Overland editor Ian Syson, was pulled by Gawenda.

» Ticket Machines Used to Spy on Workers

» Vics Look North for IR Inspiration

» Union Construct New Buildings for East Timor

» Holy Sheet! Dirty Olympic Linen to Cost Jobs

» Lunchtime Sizzles as Workers Burn

» Carnivale Changes An Assault On Working Class Migrants

» Child Carers Fight Christmas Lay-Offs

» Spiderman Strikes as Women Sink Second Wave

» Big Rail Fine Just Tip of Iceberg

» Micky Mouse Union Blocked by Commission

» Where Were You on November 6?

» POSITION VACANT: MEAA Inquiry Desk Officer