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The Forum > Article Comments > Gutless reform dash Liberal hopes > Comments

Gutless reform dash Liberal hopes : Comments

By Des Moore, published 31/8/2005

Des Moore argues the opportunity for workplace reform has been lost for want of moral clarity and political courage.

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It was very interesting to watch John Howard on the 7:30 report last night. Every attempt to justify the benefits of his "industrial reform" for the Australian workers was a complete failure. I think he has completely failed on the following points:

1. Australian workers will have more rights and will be able to better bargain and defend their rights under AWA?

NO! Australian workers will have a take it or leave it option when offered a job by the employer. AWA signed between employer and the worker is the contract that will dictate what the worker can and can not do with an automatic rubber stamp from the Howard government... Bargaining for better rights or better conditions imposed unfairly on them by AWA contract will be close to impossbile for a regular, working/middle class Australian workers.

2. Austrlain workers will not loose out on any current benefits and will have a choice on whether going with AWA or the present arrangement.

No! The employer will decide what is relevant and what kind of working arrangements will exist for their workers. AWA, a contract which dictates employer's conditions will become a new standard and the employees will have no choice but to accept that.

3. Workchoices are simpler and better than the Industrial Relation laws, which existed in Australia for decades.

No! Workchoices is a government rubber stamp for the employers to impose regulations on employees through AWA. The new deregulation has more similarities with "Master/Servants act" of the 19th century.

Thankfully, I think Howard government is a master of its own demise. The real war they are waging is not against the unions, but against the Australian workers and there is a limit to how much the Australian workers will take...
Posted by Mishanya, Tuesday, 11 October 2005 10:11:28 AM
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