
Issue No 97		25 May 2001

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Letters to the Editor

Fuelling Voter Anger

>From recent statements it seems that many MP's underestimate both the source and depth of anger in the community. Fuel prices are only a symptom: most people remember the promises made regarding the supposed benefits of "economic rationalism" and the "level playing field".

When a graduate engineer from the manufacturing field has to drive a bus for a living; along with quite a selection of other former professionals; it leaves time to contemplate what has been lost over the last 30 years.

Our share of the world's manufactured goods has dropped from 4% to less than 1% ; in other words, we have lost over three quarters of our market and have half a million less employed in manufacturing than 25 years ago, despite the population doubling.

Where we had a multitude of privately owned newspapers and radio stations, we now have a couple of media moguls telling us (and our politicians) what to think and do.

Where the Australian dollar was highly regarded, it has sunk to third world level.

Where we had public banks and utilities giving reliable service we now have foreign owners demanding maximum returns.

Where we had full employment, we now have millions unemployed or under-employed.

Where Australia made nearly everything, made it well, made it to last, we now have to buy imported products which fail in next to no time.

Where we had the concept of "a fair day's pay for a fair day's work", we now have a select few, who worship success at any cost, getting extremely rich at others' expense.

Multinationals tell their shareholders that they intend maximizing profits by charging whatever the market will bear and all we get from MP's is "it's a commercial decision and we cannot interfere ".

The labour party has lost focus, forgotten how and why it was formed, and we need someone to stand up for us. Perhaps its time the union movement looked at running its own candidates, or alternatively backing one of the smaller parties, such as Graeme Campbell's "Australia First" .

Regards

Ted Gaida

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Issue 97 contents

Interview: The Big Bribe
ACTU president Sharan Burrow emerges from the Federal Budget lock-up to ask where is the Howard Government�s vision for the future?

Compo: Where To Now?
As the dust settles in the WorkCover war, we look at what's been achieved and what still needs to be resolved.

Unions: The Real Big Brother
Have you ever got the feeling someone is watching you? If you work in one of the 4000 Call Centres in Australia then you�re probably right.

International: The Not-So Shakey Isles
NZ Council of Trade Union secretary Paul Goulter looks at life for the workers under a Labour Government.

Corporate: BHP: The Bit Australian
The BHP Billiton merger was an act of corporate tyranny. And, as Zoe Reynolds report, humanity does not figure on a corporate balance sheet.

History: A Proud Tradition of Mediocrity
Budgets always generate hype and a media circus, especially in the lead up to elections. This one is no exception and the Coalition consistency in panic and lack of ideas is reassuring in its lack of ideas.

Review: Ideologically Sound
Mark Hebblewhite trawls through the CD rack to dispel the notion that there's no politics left in pop.

Satire: HIH Recovers Own Losses
The collapsed insurance company HIH has lodged a claim with another insurer to be reimbursed for its $4 billion loss.

» Spotlight on HIH�s WorkCover Link

» Construction Industry Faces Safety Crisis

» Statewide Strike Off But Della on Notice

» David and Goliath Battle at IBM

» Natasha�s Democrats Face Senate IR Test

» Howard Abandons Working Families

» City Councils Recognise Birth � Now for the Bush

» BHP Forced to Back Off Kembla AWAs

» Impulse Bores Workers Into Submission

» Coach Drivers Win Permanency

» Boss Pockets Compo Payment

» Union Wins Battle in AWA War

» Publicans Want to Reduce Bar Pay

» Abbott Agrees to Ban Asbestos

» Union Acts to Save Leichhardt Refuge

» Trade Union Choir Turns Ten

» Activists' Notebook

» The Soapbox

» The Locker Room

» Trades Hall

» Tool Shed

» Thanks from Indonesia

» Hester Spot On

» Fuelling Voter Anger

» May Day - The Debate Continues

» Not a Chaser Fan

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