
Issue No 91		06 April 2001

LaborNET	Ask Neale	Tool of the Week

News

Compo Wars: Week Two to the Workers!

NSW Industrial Relations Minister John Della Bosca was tonight under growing pressure to withdraw his workers compensation reform package after the ALP's governing body rejected cuts to workers benefits.

In a bad week for the Carr Government, a majority of Labor backbenchers also indicated they were prepared to support amendments to the legislation (see feature 'Della's List')

And the ALP's governing body, Administrative Committee tonight passed a unanimous resolution stating its 'grave concern' about the current Bill before Parliament and warning the Minister to stick to NSW ALP Platform and Policy which:

"supports the current review of workers' compensation arising from the incompetencies of the former state government/ However, our support for such a review must be premised on the fundamental principle that workers' benefits are not reduced."

While the Minister is sticking to his proposition that now worker will be worse off under the changes, doctors, physiotherapists, lawyers and even actuaries have publicly criticised the package.

With Easter now looming, the Labor Council campaign committee has warned that it will step up its public campaign if the legislation is not withdrawn and the reform package is taken back to the drawing board.

Trade unions are maintaining their attack on the legislation on four fronts:

- increased thresholds to access benefits

- introduction of a US-style assessment scheme

- use of binding medical panels

- insufficient focus on employers who evade premiums and workplace safety.

Grass Roots Campaign

Some unions have already voted on industrial action, with CFMEU building workers voting to shut down the construction industry on April 19.

Scores of other unions are looking at targeted action - both against government revenue-raising and through raising public awareness through distributing fliers to the public or wearing badges to work where members deal directly with the public.

The Campaign Committee is also continuing its community activities with a Injured Workers Forum to be held this Sunday at Granville Town Hall.

The International Day of Mourning in the Workplace - which is being hosted by Australia this year on April 27, is also shaping as a watershed day of action, falling as it does right on the four and a half-week deadline.

For all the latest campaign news keep tabs on http://www.labor.net.au/compo

View entire issue - print all of the articles!

Issue 91 contents

Interview: Costa on Compo
Labor Councilďż˝s secretary gives his take on the Big Stink over Dellaďż˝s workers compensation package.

Politics: Della's List
All Labor members of Parliament were this week asked to indicate whether they would support injured workers. More than half said 'yes'. Here they are.

Unions: Picketing Joy
Rowan Cahill chronicled the definitive dispute of 2000 for Workers Online. He looks back on the battle and the lessons to be drawn from the workers at Joy.

History: Vale Tony Mulvihill
The environment, migrant workers and the hairy nosed wombat have reason to be thankful for the active citizenship of Tony Mulvihill.

Economics: Stopping the Rot
A national campaign is underway to persuade politicians from both the major parties that they need to be addressing the issue of poverty within Australia.

International: East Timor ďż˝ Beyond the Headlines
Itďż˝s now more than 18 months since the violence and bloodshed following the popular consultation on the future of East Timor was front page news in Australia.

Technology: Online Breathing Space
The global collapse of faith in new technology has given journalists a chance to prepare themselves for the real revolution, writes David Higgins

Satire: Howard Cuts Beer Price to Get Voters Drunk
Prime Minister John Howard has agreed to cut the excise on beer, in the hope cheaper drinks will help get the country drunk enough to vote for him.

Review: The Battle for 96.9Fm is Over
What would you get if you crossed 2DAY FM, 2MMM, JJJ and MIX 106.5 FM? A fairly commercial radio station that wouldnďż˝t know the difference between throwing up, stuffing up, growing up or breaking up.

» Compo Wars: Week Two to the Workers!

» Doctors Donďż˝t Want to be Judges

» Cops Eye Ball Compo Changes

» Armoured Car Drivers To Consider Stop Work

» IT Workers ďż˝ We Need You!

» Banks Workers Show Theyďż˝re No Bunnies

» English Teachers Ripped Off

» Beazley Gives Boost To Bakery Workers

» Employment, Environment Vital to US-Australia Trade Deal

» Extra $1.37 Billion Needed for Unis

» Campaigning Workshop Establishes Local Campaign Initiative

» Activist Notebook