Red Rag » 2005 » July » 30

Good enough to be going on with

Robert — Sat, 30 Jul 2005 11:17:36 +0000

The IRA recently announced that it had ordered its volunteers to “dump arms”, and that it would

verifiably put its arms beyond use in a way which will further enhance public confidence and to conclude this as quickly as possible.

We have invited two independent witnesses, from the Protestant and Catholic churches, to testify to this.

There will inevitably be some scepticism about this, but it is apparently genuine enough for the British army to dismantle more watchtowers in republican areas, as part of a “security normalisation” process. I think Maurice Hayes describes the announcement well: “not yet historic, but good enough to be going on with.”

I will not hold my breath waiting for the Loyalist terrorists to make a similar promise, even a half-hearted one. I find it disgusting that many of those who constantly criticise the IRA turn a blind eye to the crimes of the other side.

It’s all well and good for the likes of Ian Paisley to complain, but he and his followers have never done anything to support the peace process — because there can be no peace without justice, and they exist to defend the injustice of Irish dispossession. Indeed, the Loyalists will work hard to undermine the peace process because they know the IRA’s tactical shift to parliamentary struggle increases the likelihood of a future united Ireland.

So while we must look to the IRA to put its words into action — not only by destroying weapons, but also by showing that the prohibition on volunteers “engag[ing] in any other activities whatsoever” includes a ban on non-political criminality — we must also demand that the Loyalists also move towards disarmament. The time for armed struggle in Ireland is over, but so too is the time for double standards.

Industrial relations campaign update

Robert — Sat, 30 Jul 2005 07:15:01 +0000

Justice Heydon Dyson refused an interlocutory injunction against the Government’s IR campaign, because the unions could not give an undertaking as to damages (because the cost of the ad campaign is undisclosed, but tipped to be at least $20 000 000). However, Justice Dyson agreed that the constitutionality of the propaganda expenditure was “a serious question to be tried,” and the Full Bench will hear the matter next week. If the Government continues to argue that the ACTU’s public relations campaign have created “an emergency situation” (!), next week’s hearings should be entertaining.
As Kim Beazley pointed out that even toilet breaks are on the chopping block and the RSL said Anzac Day as a paid public holiday was “non-negotiable”, the Government became very confused about what its reforms actually mean. Mark Vaile “appeared to expand the new minimum working conditions from four to seven” (which wouldn’t be the first time he’s got it wrong). John Howard also claimed public holidays would be safe, saying, “We will preserve all the protections that are there now.” These are weasel words — he means public holidays will stay in awards, but because the no-disadvantage test is going to be scrapped, public holidays can be excluded on the AWAs Howard will aggressively promote.
Dirt unit mastermind Mr Hanke is hunkering down in his new job with Kevin Andrews. They attempted to smear Kim Beazley by saying his staff were employed on AWAs — but Beazley’s staff are employed by the Department of Finance and Administration, not their political boss. DOFA sent the advisors a letter demanding they sign an AWA: “Until we receive the original signed and duly completed Australian Workplace Agreement (AWA) and Filing Application Form, you will be paid a lower non-AWA salary and Ministerial Staff Allowance (MSA).” The non-AWA salary is 30-40% lower — and these inflated managerial AWAs are used by Howard to fiddle the figures in his propaganda.
In a strange op-ed for the Australian Financial Review (Friday, p27), Greg Craven suggested that widespread opposition to the proposed reforms is not because people are worried about their wages and job security, but because they are all committed States-rights conservatives: “Given a choice between the states and the HR Nicholls Society, theychoose the states, and do so with a pungent determination.” I think he’s overstated the size of that constituency, but his conclusion is spot on. He says that if the view that Howard has a profoundly radical agenda “ever comes to be the accepted wisdom Howard will face serious problems. … Honest John sounds a lot better than Radical Jack.”
Please email Kim Beazley to tell him now is not the time to go soft on industrial relations.

Reminder: Comments policy

Robert — Sat, 30 Jul 2005 04:23:48 +0000

I’d like to remind people about my comments policy, especially as it relates to antisocial behaviour (spam, off-topic comments, abuse, threats). Unfortunately I have had to ban a number of people in the last couple of days.

The first was a woman who spammed the site, and when I informed her of the ban she said she would “work this computer big time when I get a hold of it. And I will return religiously to this site as well recommended to my associates as well.”

Before long a few other misfits turned up threatening a denial-of-service attack (a federal crime), and saying, “i hate asianz, mooslimz, wigggas, people who sympathise with this scum”. Another ranted about “muslim 3rd world scum”.

The woman who directed these delightful characters to Red Rag was a One Nation candidate in a recent election. None of them will be commenting here in future. I welcome discussion and debate, but this was utterly unacceptable.

School of blog

Robert — Fri, 29 Jul 2005 16:17:04 +0000

I think it was Mark Bahnisch who said he was considering using blogs as part of his teaching this semester, but in case it wasn’t (and for the benefit of anyone else who’s interested), here’s a couple of interesting posts by James Farmer on the dos and don’ts of blogs in education. He also links to a summary of different blogging tools that can be used for the purpose.