
Issue No 96		18 May 2001

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Abbott Runs From OEA Failure

The backflip by Federal Workplace Relations Minister Tony Abbott on his threatened inquiry into the building industry demonstrates the lack of substance in the report of the Office of the Employment Advocate.

Abbott said on national radio this morning that he was considering a Royal Commission following a recommendation by Employment Advocate Jonathan Hamberger that there was a case for broader investigation.

"As soon as this flimsy collection of unsubstantiated gossip from Mr Hamberger was exposed in the media, Mr Abbott ran a mile," ACTU Secretary Greg Combet says.

"Today's backdown is a vote of no-confidence in the Employment Advocate by his new minister. It demonstrates that Mr Abbott is out of his depth. If there were grounds for investigation, Mr Abbott would have acted today.

"Mr Hamberger has effectively accused the state police of failing to act on these allegations. These are serious charges - Mr Abbott and his servant Mr Hamberger should provide evidence to support these claims.

"This farce is another example of a Government on the run. John Howard should be acting on the demands of all Australians to find out the real cause of the HIH collapse, which has hurt so many Australians.

"This is a failed attempt by John Howard and Tony Abbott to distract attention from their real problems caused by the GST's punishing impact on the building industry and Australians generally."

Mr Combet says the ACTU fully supported the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union and in its ongoing campaigns for a better deal for building workers.

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  Issue 96 contents

Interview: The Enabler
On the eve of the release of his latest book, Beazley�s brain on the back-bench, Mark Latham, talks about putting the social back into socialism.

Unions: Flogged To Death
One third of Australian workers now work in conditions that would be deemed illegal in Europe. While in our workplaces so much is being done by so few with so little the Howard Government leans on its shovel reports Noel Hester.

Corporate: Nike's Six Broken Promises
A new international report on the labour practices at Nike have placed their stated commitment to ethical employment under the microscope.

International: Jagath at the Solidarity Cafe
When the brave workers at the Shangri-La Hotel in Jakarta marched on May Day, a Sydney unionist was by their side.

Education: The Battle for Free Thought
The recent sacking of Dr Ted Steele at the University of Wollongong has focused attention on the need for vigilant defence of employment rights and academic freedom.

History: Federation and Labour
The labour movement�s role in the 1897 Federal Convention and the subsequent referenda process has been largely forgotten.

Satire: Addict Stops Using Smack After Talk With Parents
A 21-year-old heroin addict has agreed to give up his habit after his parents told him that using drugs was wrong.

Review: Rouge or Red?
Mark Hebblewhite argues that the new Baz Luhrmann blockbuster isn't without its class analysis.

» WorkCover: Della Should Split the Package

» HIH Workers Win Severance Guarantee

» Abbott Runs From OEA Failure

» Angry Musos Aim Riffs at Della

» Second Prize In The Arnott�s Sell-Out

» Banks Workers Opt for People Over Pay

» Bosses Raise Stakes in State Wage Case

» Refugee Riots Sparked By Strike Action

» Vodafone Promotes It�s Own

» Champion Workers Left With Nothing

» Bid for Reasonable Hours to AIRC

» Political Economy Courses at Sydney University

» Activist Notebook