
Issue No 67		18 August 2000

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Letters to the Editor

Magistrates Need a Union

"Strain of Justice", Sunday Telegraph, August 6, 2000.

On reading this article, one must call into question the thought processes` of those whom, we have elated to the judiciary on the basis of their ability to mete out justice on our behalf, on an equitable basis.

For several generations Medical science has unanimously agreed that a sedentary life style is the prime cause of coronary sickness. Yet here we have those, in whose hands we have placed our punitive and retributive justice system, echoing the catch cry of charlatans and carpetbaggers, that overwork is the cause of their self inflicted illness.

What can one expect from a body that was made for activity, imagine the low self esteem of a soccer player, a footy player or even a cricket player, if they had been benched for the length of time some of our sitting magistrates have.

The past nursing and Union experience of the Chief Magistrate Pat Staunton, would surely enable her in making a more balanced and objective "Judgement", on stress and the cause of it .

In these times of economic rationalization for the "common man", and the "roll back" and reform of his working conditions, it may also be appropriate for an economic and critical assessment of the sick leave entitlements of this segment of the judiciary. An inquisition into the leave used and the pattern in which it is used, could possibly reveal flaws within the system as well as the individuals. Ms Staunton , indicates that sick leave is increasing ,if so, this pattern must precipitate an inquiry into the suitability of those magistrates taking excessive sick leave. Some local government bodies institute an internal inquiry as to the suitability of employment after 7days of illness in a 12month period.

The claims by Chris Hartcher, and the apparent convoluted meandering and non-specific claims by the Chief Magistrate, in the article "Strain of Justice",(Sunday Telegraph) should ring alarm bells for the long suffering taxpayers who are required to foot the bills for these "Over Worked" magistrates.

In fact, the claims of stress and illness, calls into question the ability of those that are allegedly suffering, to administer justice in the state of New South Wales in a fair and equitable manner.

Tom Collins

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Issue 67 contents

Interview: Slyly Selling the Silver
In their recently published book Privatisation, Sell-off? or Sell out? (ABC Books), Bob and Betty Walker took a long hard look at the major government asset sales of the last decade. Here they tell Workers Online what they've learnt.

Politics: Dysfunctional Society
Noel Pearson looks at the plight of Aboriginal people through a prism of class and comes up with a challenging perspective on Aboriginal welfare, law and order and the state of our society.

History: Money Power
Should the People or the Banks Rule? Reserve Bank Governor McFarlane thinks he knows the answer. Eddie Ward was pretty strongly of the opposite view when the ALP introduced the Commonwealth Banking Legislation in 1945.

International: Soccer Pro Tackles Nike
Olympic sponsor Nike is under pressure over its human rights record in the run up to the Sydney Games.

Economics: Globalony
Frank Stillwell looks at the contradictory nature of the globalising economy and fears it is turning into a race to the bottom.

Satire: IVF Debate: Federal Government Tells Lesbians: "Get Fucked"
MELBOURNE, Monday: The Federal Court decision to allow single women and lesbians to use infertility treatment in Victoria has been attacked by the Federal Government, the Catholic Church and by pro-family community groups.

Review: Confessions Of A Union Buster
It's not a new tome but the threat for Australian Unions remains the same if not greater as when this book appeared five years ago.

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