
Issue No 56		02 June 2000

LaborNET	Ask Neale	Tool of the Week

Tool Shed

Ian Causley - Conspiracy Theorist

You thought the March for Reconciliation was proof of a groundswell of public support for the cause? This Tool reckons the weekend Harbour Bridge march was orchestrated!

National Party backbencher Ian Causley - who was a Minister in NSW in the Greiner regime before moving onto the national stage - was pushing the theory after Sunday's successful event.

The self-styled Wombat of the NSW North Coast was first out of the blocks trying to diminish what has to be the largest public demonstration Sydney has ever seen.

It was, according to Causley, merely a set-up by those who want to see their backyards reclaimed by undesirable natives.

"A lot of these events were quite orchestrated," was Causley's analysis.

"I think you'll find quite a few buses arrived and you'd want to know who organized those buses," he continued.

"Maybe the money would have been better put to Aboriginal health and housing," was his surprising conclusion.

This from a man famous for distinguishing himself with bush constituents for advocating the full sale of Telstra. Maybe to prevent the orchestration of decent service levels.

Not that he's against buses. He's also remembered for suggesting that unemployed people should be sent out of his electorate and look for jobs in the Big Smoke.

While we see him as a proto-Tool the Big Wally has higher tabs on himself - in fact he stuck his hand up for leadership of the Nats when Fisher hung up the Akubra.

Alas, he secured just four votes - and three of these were bussed in ....

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Issue 56 contents

Interview: When the War is Over
Teachers Federation chief Sue Simpson has just come through the industrial dispute of a lifetime. But where to now for her members?

Politics: The Beazley Manifesto
Read the full transcript of Kim Beazley's Fraser Lecture develiered this week, where he unveiled Labor's new industrial relations platform.

Unions: Dudded on the Dock of the Bay
Until a few weeks ago Allan and Beverley Crelley had never ever heard of SERCO the big London multinational that specialises in winning contracts from governments committed to outsourcing their workers.

History: The Long March for Justice
Against the backdrop of the Walk for Reconciliation across the Sydney Harbour Bridge that took place last Sunday, it is worthwhile recognising that trade unionists were actively promoting the issue decades ago.

International: UK Unions Turn the Corner
Union membership is on the rise for the first time in 20 years, indicating an early response to union recognition legislation set to come into effect next month.

Work/Time/Life: Flexible Clerks Save Hours
The Australian Services Union has successfully blocked an attempt by wholesaler Davids Limited to force clerical staff at the company's Blacktown office from flexible working hours to a standard 38 hour week.

Review: Who Really Won the War?
It might be being pulped for a reference to serial-suitor Peter Costello, but 'Waterfront' has sparked some lively debate about our recent industrial history.

Satire: Gosper's New Torch Role
A week after he was excluded from the Olympic torch relay as a result of public criticism, Kevan Gosper has been reinstated by SOCOG President Michael Knight for a special project.

» Long Service Leave Push for Short-Term Workers

» Carr Asked to Act on Fiji Crisis

» Major Blow to Government Outsourcing

» Beazley Blocks Contracts as Reith Hits New Wall

» Carr Makes Formal Offer on Olympics Pay

» Surfing Carnivals Highlights Beach Threat

» Mail Stopped Over Junk Deal

» CBA Staff To Strike Over Queues and Abuse

» Women's Bureau to Stay in DIR

» Joy's Winter of Discontent

» Advocate Pushes Pattern Bargaining

» Nike Versus The Workers

» New Safety Laws A First in Australia

» Workers March for Reconciliation

» Labour Movement Mourns Loss of Neil Marshall (11th June 1943 - 31st May 2000)