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  Issue No 57 Official Organ of LaborNet 09 June 2000  

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News

Rival Computer Deal Imminent


A computer deal to deliver home computers and Internet access to workers' homes for less than $10 per week will deliver 66 per cent equity to the key stakeholders - the NSW Labor Council and NSW ALP.

The deal will be launched later this month, after receiving in principle support the Labor Council Executive and the ALP Administrative Committee. Plans to launch it at this weekend's ALP State Conference have been deferred after members of the Left asked for more details on the plan.

Capital for the venture will be raised by third equity partner in the deal, Hong Kong-based company, Kingsway Capital.

The deal has been brokered by NSW Labor Council secretary Michael Costa and ALP Secretary Eric Roozendaal as an alternative to the ACTU-endorsed Virtual Communities venture..

Virtual Communities - which was valued at more than $360 million in its latest round of capital raising - only provides limited equity to unions that have invested in the venture. It is estimated to total less than four per cent.

In contrast, unions would have a full one third stake in the Labor Council venture - to be called "getonboard.com.au" - which Costa says would be dedicated to maintaining the movement's IT presence.

Key aspects of the proposal include:

- a personal computer deal involving Gateway computers, the largest supplier in the US home PC market.

- a suite of Microsoft Word softwear (including Word)

- the option to also purchase a Canon bubble-jet colour printer for an extra $1.50 per week.

- free access to 4,000 websites popular websites, including most of the top 100 sites, plus access to specialist sites for 30 hours per month in prime time or 60 hours per month off-peak.

Costa says it's important to offer a competing computer-model to that being offered by Virtual Communities.

"I've said all along that unions should be rewarded for the asset they bring to any venture of this type - their network of members," Costa says.

"This proposal will do that - it will now be up to members to decide which product they want to go with."


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*   View entire issue - print all of the articles!

*   Issue 57 contents

In this issue
Features
*  Interview: Cocky Labor
On the eve of State Conference, Country Labor convenor Tony Kelly outlines how Labor is stealing the ground from under the National Party's feet.
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*  Economics: Millenium Work Ethics - A New Social Partnership?
The future of work in the twenty-first century will be both provocative and challenging, according to Professor Russell Lansbury.
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*  Politics: Extracting the Digit
Labor's federal communications spokesman Stehpen Smith outlines the Party's position on the controversial datacasting legislation currently before Parliament.
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*  History: Hot Off the Press
Check out what's in the latest issue of Labour History - A Journal of Labour and Social History,
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*  International: The East Timor of Africa
Nobel laureate Jose Ramos Horta will this week tell a Sydney audience of the parallels between East Timor and the nation described as the last colony in Africa - the Western Sahara.
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*  Environment: MUA Snail Men Honoured
Brisbane wharfies Lehi Munday and Mal Monro look an unlikely Watson and Sherlock double, but their keen detective work has helped win the Southern Queensland MUA Branch two national environment awards.
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*  Satire: Howard Says 'Sorry'
In a startling apology to the Aboriginal community, Prime Minister John Howard said last night he was deeply sorry that he turned up to the Corroboree 2000 celebrations.
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*  Review: Front Stage and Pulp Fiction
The Waterfront War has made the transition from industrial showdown to cultural icon. Now it's inspiring artists.
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News
»  Rival Computer Deal Imminent
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»  Conference to Set New Ground Rules for Labor
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»  Call (of Nature) Waiting for Telstra Workers
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»  Democrats Come Through on Third Wave
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»  Joy's Bizarre Student Bid
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»  Commonwealth Bank Staff Strike
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»  Liberal Students Spark Uni Walk-Out
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»  Union Targets Asbestos Shonks
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»  Needle Stick Injury Sparks Waste Strike
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»  Security Guard Wins $100,000 in Back Pay
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»  Paddy Troy Memorial Prize
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»  Robbo for Post-Conference Smoko
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Columns
»  The Soapbox
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»  The Locker Room
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»  Trades Hall
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»  Tool Shed
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Letters to the editor
»  Casual Treatment
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»  Expo 2000 Opens with Violence Against Left
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»  Child Care Laws Should Go Further
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