
Issue No 59		23 June 2000

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Aussie Competition Laws Protect Fijian Terrorists

The ACCC has been accused of using local competition laws to support Fiji's coup leaders for exploring whether bans imposed on the Pacific nation by Australia unions breach the Trades Practices Act

The Australian Consumer and Competition Commission has written to union leaders involved in the bans claiming the action could amount to a secondary boycott and seeking their responses.

"Should there be substance in the allegations, the ACCC considers that there may be contraventions of section 54DB(i) of the Trade Practices Act.," the letter says.

The ACCC has written to the ACTU, Transport Workers Union and the Maritime Union of Australia.

ACTU president Sharan Burrow says the unions will ask the ACCC to detail their concerns, but are determined to stand up in support of Fiji citizens to have democracy as basis for its countries' future.

"I hope that competition laws are not going to be used as a tool to suopport a terrorist," Burrow says.

TWU state secretary Tony Sheldon says he'll invite the ACCC chief Alan Fels to a meeting of all airline workers to explain to them why the protection of human rights in Fiji is contrary to federal government policy.

Carr Government Reviews Relationship

The move comes as the NSW Government moves to review its relationship with Fiji, in an event to increase pressure on the coup leaders.

NSW Special minister for State John Della Bosca told Parliament yesterday the Carr Government would be reviewing its "assistance, support, exchange or relationships that exist with Fiji, both through the Federal government and in this State's own right".

NSW is understood to provide extensive training to the Fijian public sector via both AusAid and the state government.

Della Bosca addressed the parliament after meeting the assistant national secretary of Fijian Trade Union Congress Diwan Shanker at a lunch hosted by a group of NSW trade unions who have been participating in the bans, including the TWU, CEPU and TCFUA.

Australia Fundraising Events

Diwan Shankar will be guest of honour at a fundraising dinner on Tuesday night during the ACTU Congress, June 27 at the Lagoon Seafood restaurant, Stuart Park, North Wollongong from 7.30pm. Tickets $65 each or $600 for a table of ten.

Diwan is also speaking in Sydney on Friday June 30 at Revesby Workers club at 7.00pm. The event is hosted by the Alfords Point/Illawong branch of the ALP and will cost $20 per person, $15 students and pensioners. RSVP: Ann Wilson 9825 3653

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Issue 59 contents

Interview: Holding the Line
Diwan Shankar, Assistant National Secretary of the Fiji TUC, is in Australia to consolidate support for his members and plead for ongoing bans.

Technology: D-Day for VC?
NSW Labor Council secretary Michael Costa explains the motivations behind the new Get on Board computer-internet venture.

Legal: Knock, Knock - Who's There?
When the nine year old son of CFMEU construction division state secretary Andrew Ferguson recently responded to a Saturday door knock, it was neither a friend nor a Jehovah's Witness.

Unions: Are You a Good Listener ?
Mark Hearn goes inside the Energy Australia call centre to find a workplace where there is a code for evrything - even trips to the toilet.

International: Union Observers Barred from Zimbabwe Poll
Five observers from the Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu) and 19 other South Africans aligned to Zimbabwe's Catholic Commission for Peace and Justice are among 233 observers barred by the Zimbabwean government from monitoring the parliamentary elections.

History: Community, Class, and Comparison
Despite its occasional romantic tendencies, new labour scholarship is mapping collective action within working class communities.

Satire: Rural Poor Return to Labor
Thrilled by the great new branding, the new Country Labor party has caused scenes of great rejoicing in the country.

Review: The Wicked Webs We Weave
LaborNet web-meastro Paul Howes trawls the web for some hot sites for all you political junkies.

» STOP PRESS: Get on Board Moves Virtual

» Orange at Risk - Call for City's Help

» Unions to Get Equity in New Computer Deal

» Aussie Competition Laws Protect Fijian Terrorists

» Union Rat Sinks Industrial Laws

» Olympic Rail Deal Struck for Games Period

» GST Fears for Union Delegates

» No Cigars for Casino High Rollers

» Frustration Boils Over Olympics Blowout

» Support for Campaign Against TAFE Cuts

» Private Sector Health Workers Seek Pay Equity

» Bosses Hoist on Own Petard

» Construction Industry Assists East Timor Training

» AFL-CIO Leader to Address Congress

» Full ACTU Congress Coverage on LaborNet

» The Soapbox

» The Locker Room

» Trades Hall

» Tool Shed

» Freudian Slip

» Volunteers in Policing

» Tax Farce

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