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History: Nest of Traitors
Rowan Cahill uncovers a ripping yarn that could redefine the way we look at Australian involvement in World War II.
Interview: A Nation of Hope
Former PM Bob Hawke bemoans the demise of industrial relations but takes heart from the prospect of peace in the Middle East
Unions: National Focus
Noel Hester reports on a soap star rebellion, Howard’s plans to renuclearise South Australia, more historical atrocities in the north, the redundancy test case plus more in the monthly national wrap.
Safety: The Shocking Truth
It’s every power worker’s worst nightmare – and it happened to Adrian Ware. In a flash of voltage, his life changed forever, as Jim Marr reports.
Tribute: A Comrade Departed
From Prime Ministers to wharfies, the labour movement paid tribute to Tas Bull this week. Jim Marr was among them.
History: Working Bees
Neale Towart looks at a group of workers who got sacked so their boss could keep making the Bomb.
Education: The Big Picture
The NTEU’s Dr Mike Donaldson and Tony Brown join all the dots in the current debate around higher eduction.
International: Static Labour
Ray Marcelo argues there’s another side to the recent furore over Telstra’s use of cheap Indian IT contractors.
Economics: Budget And Fudge It
Frank Stilwell argues that Peter Costello’s latest budget plumbs fiscal policy to new depths.
Technology: Google and Campaigning
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Review: Secretary With A Difference
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Poetry: The Minimale
The Labor Party leadership is in the news again, inspiring our resident bard David Peetz to song
Satire: Howard Calls for Senate to be Replaced by Clap-O-Meter
John Howard released a controversial policy statement today, arguing that the Senate be abolished in favour of a device measuring noise from the gallery of the House of Representatives.
Politics
It’s Our Party
Long time union watcher Nicholas Way looks at the changing dynamics between the industrial and political wings of the labour movement. The Soapbox
Grass Roots
In his Maiden Speech, new MP Tony Burke argues that the ALP’s union links are nothing to be ashamed of.
Media
Opinion Forming Down Under
Evan Jones condemns the mainstream’s media coverage of the War on Iraq and the damage it is doing to our national psyche.
The Locker Room
Location, Re-Location!
It’s all fun and games until someone loses a club, writes Phil Doyle
To the Victors The Spoils
Revelations that private American lawyers, rather than the ILO, will rewrite the labour laws of countries levelled by the American military vindicate the warnings of those concerned by US unilateralism.
 Rail Chaos Looms
Electrolux Blows Fuse at Fundraiser
ACM Loosens Handcuff on Democracy
Sick Call on Mum’s Job
Now For Industrial Shock and Awe
Brian Miller – Working Class Hero
Dynamite: Howard Handout for Rorters
Family Case to Nurture Mothers
Militants Lock Out Another 600
Tipping the Turtle – Fijian Style
Carr Goes Private
Wages Blemish Sound Budget
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Eleventh Hour Reprieve for Women's Centre
Activist Notebook
In Defence of Cuba
The Story in General
Thinking of America
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Satire
Howard Calls for Senate to be Replaced by Clap-O-Meter
Extracted from The Chaser
John Howard released a controversial policy statement today, arguing that the Senate be abolished in favour of a device measuring noise from the gallery of the House of Representatives.
Howard called the current mechanisms of the Senate "anachronistic", saying that it had been invented before technologies like the Clap-O-Meter and SMS polls.
"A Government's election is a mandate to implement policy, and therefore review of that policy should reflect majority opinion. We now have technology that can do through accurate measure of the applause from the public galleries" said Howard.
The Prime Minister admitted that the public gallery needed to be full enough to ensure representation of the wider community, and outlined a program of giveaways and door prizes to ensure this was the case, including a free Parliamentary t-shirt for every audience member. Howard also noted that "judges decisions would be final" and that polling was not open to minor party members or their families.
Bob Brown attacked the plan, saying it would make Parliament too autocratic. "Say for example there were three people in the public gallery, it's very possible they wouldn't be the three people who voted for the Greens, although if there was only one Greens voter, she would probably have a drum of some kind, which would even things out."
The controversial statement has drawn some unlikely supporters. Labor heavyweights like Bob Carr and Gough Whitlam have backed the scheme, as has former game-show host Glenn Ridge.
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