Red Rag

The Tasmanian Government reiterated its intention to quarantine as many workers as possible from the Howard Government’s IR changes. Kevin Andrews said it was futile because “if there’s a clash between federal and state law then the federal laws prevail so it just is grandstanding and the State Government knows that.” But John Howard was not so confident, and sidestepped questions on the issue.

Kevin Andrews also called on the Tasmanian Government to voluntarily cede its IR powers to the Commonwealth — but he hasn’t even convinced the Tasmanian Liberals: “State Opposition Leader Rene Hidding also confirmed he would not be calling for the Tasmanian system of industrial relations to be abolished or disbanded.”

Carolyn Sutherland has serious concerns about the impact of Howard’s industrial relations scheme: “By abolishing the no-disadvantage test and removing the commission’s role in scrutinising agreements, fundamental entitlements may well be bargained away without due consideration of the effect on family and community life.” Dr Don Edgar sees it as an attack on working families: “None of this looks family-friendly or equitable, and offers flexibility not for the workers but for a boss wanting to screw the last dollar out of the last breath of effort, for workers already struggling to meet their reciprocal work and family responsibilities.” And Ross Fitzgerald says we should not ignore “draconian welfare changes that aim to create a desperate class of mothers, injured and disabled all willing to take up work on the low-wage, insecure jobs that will come about from the IR changes.”

A poll commissioned by the AMWU, which sought the opinions of 600 workers in Coalition-held marginal seats around the country, found overwhelming opposition to Howard’s IR agenda.

Unions are planning to make 15 November a “historic day” of community protest against the Howard Government. The ACTU’s Sharran Burrow predicted “it will be the biggest workers’ rally ever as the union movement uses Sky Channel to link workers in country towns, regional centres and capital cities.” Put it in your diaries, and make any leave arrangements you need to get time off work.

Evatt Foundation president Bruce Childs says, “In my view, the sleeper issue that will emerge, is the way pensioners over a period of time will lose out. The pension is determined on average weekly wages. … If minimum wage increases can be slowed down, then, over time, pensioners will suffer.” At a public forum in rural NSW, union secretary John Robertson made a similar point: “If those wages are frozen or reduced it will have a direct impact on the pension as it will stop it going up. Don’t be fooled into believing that the IR changes just relate to work because they don’t.”