
Issue No 73		13 October 2000

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Letters to the Editor

Blow Up the Councils

Once again that hoary chestnut and that dry old argument, of the Three Tiers of Government, has risen its gruesome head to haunt the long-suffering citizen.

"Only Pollies would cry if we shed a tier" Frank Walker Sun-Herald September 17 2000"

Mr Max Bradley , a car mechanic from Berrigan , and the Local Government Association , have decided that a tier of government must be shed , and that the State governments must be the ones to go, leaving that epitome of "Tweedledum and Tweedledee" ,the Municipal and Shire Councils , to control our destinies.

One wonders what template of government Mr. Bradley would recommend, perhaps he suggests, Berrigan Shire Council, where we can all relax in the 20s' and 30s' with Dad, Dave and Mabel.

The reality is that most of these Municipal and Shire councils have been unable to deal with "Best Practice", on dog catching, pan collection from the outhouse procedures, or who owns the stray sheep in the pound, never mind State Budgets.

The only two local government bodies to show any ability to govern at this level, would be Bankstown City Council , and (choke ,CHOKE) , Sartors' Sydney City Council.

These two local government bodies could possibly, be used as examples as to how in the U.K., regional governance has been reasonably successful.

But to turn the State over to the incestuous nepotism and cronyism of Dad and Dave Shire Councils would be an abject failure, in fact it is the incompetent, mal-administered and mismanaged local government bodies that should be abolished.

Perhaps this could be the (post Olympic) future apolitical career for Lord Mayor Frank Sartor , and his collaborators - to examine the viability of the eradication of Municipal and Shire Councils , and the formation of much larger regional bodies , this would also be a natural step in the abolishment of State governments.

Tom Collins

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Issue 73 contents

Interview: Righting The Wrongs
Improving the lives of Aboriginal people can't be taken out of the context of the economy, welfare and other areas says Bob McMullan, Shadow Minister for Aboriginal Affairs.

Economics: At The Mercy Of Gamblers
The plunge of the Australian dollar relative to the greenback has consequences for Aussie workers according to Frank Stillwell.

History: Labour History Under Seige Again
The Friends of the Noel Butlin Archives Centre have recently been informed of proposed changes to the Noel Butlin Archives Centre (NBAC), changes that will cut staff by more than 50% and leave the Archives mothballed in the tunnel where the repository is situated.

Workplace: Fighting The Flexible Firm
We are told that hardship and exploitation at work is dying out, and the new economy offers opportunity, freedom and job satisfaction for all. Richard Sennett unveils the true nature of the flexible workplace.

Safety: Being bossed around is bad for your health
A survey of more than 3,000 Australian workers has revealed that some 54% of workers experience intimidating behaviour in their workplace. In almost 85% of cases it is employers, managers and supervisors who are identified as the culprits.

Unions: Discrimination
New to the union and the maritime industry and with only a few days casual work to live off, Stephen Rolls courageously spoke up against individual contracts during a job interview with Burnie Port Corp.

International: Serbian Workers and Their Unions Fight for Freedom
Serbian workers and their unions have been at the forefront of the struggle for democracy in Yugoslavia as they led a general strike in response to attempts by President Slobodan Milosevic to nullify the defeat he faced in the Sept. 24 election.

Satire: A few more years of civilised brutality will advantage Aborigines: Ruddock
CANBERRA, Tuesday: The Minister for Reconciliation Philip Ruddock has defended his comments to French newspaper Le Monde claiming that Aborigines were disadvantaged because they were late in coming into contact with developed civilisations.

Review: Poetry For Workers By Workers
Poems about the trials and tribulations of a waitress and what you learn in a chocolate factory are among the gems from the 925 anthology.

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