The new industrial relations laws have nothing to do with productivity or any such tosh the Howard Government tells us. They are a key part of massive regulation of workers' lives. Howard's version of conservatism is government regulation on a scale not seen in this country before. And I think it was Ross Gittins who pointed out that the desire for further economic growth is not part of Howards agenda here. The real reason is to further undermine the ALP's traditional constituency.

What really gets up my nose is that none of this was mentioned in the 2004 election campaign. The Coalition's campaign was just an anti-Latham diatribe and virtually nothing more. They banged on about interest rates but failed to mention that if you don't have a secure job, you won't get a housing loan for a cardboard box let alone anything else. I hope there are a lot of Liberal voters out there as angry about this deception as I am.

Australia once stood for a fair go now a thread as important as this is left on the side while we debate minor issues?
In time this dreadfull act against all who work will give a rebirth to the union movement that will stun us all.
A unionist forever I do not claim sainthood for all in the movement.
If the movement is unable to use this chalange to workers rights to rebuild and refocus we all let the past die.
Some constantly armed Howard by ratbag actions in the past.
Now each day 24/7 unionists must stand up for fairness at work.
EBA not AWA is the future.

It is pleasing to see that the ratbag Howard apolagists are absent from this stream. It must have been very difficult for them to continually make up crap defending Howards complete IR bastardry.However i have little sympathy for those who voted for him, seeking lower intrest rates. Howard has little control over them. Anyone who paid any attention to Howard and Costellos rhetoric and record over the years understood the lot of the working class if they ever got Senate control.

Well said hedghog the reality I live in as an active unionist/ALP member frightens me.
Some adult males working on a construction project yesterday under Howards 1998 reforms not yet the IR murder.
Have no toilets, no rain coats, no water bottles even in the open with days as hot as 45 degrees, no workcover code of practice THINGS AT ALL.
And NO first aid box at all!, called on to site we spoke about fixing this and as the supervisor approached? they fell silent! and as he got within ear shot said every thing is alright here!
A death will come to such sites much more often, it will be industrial murder nothing less!
However this site has everything it needs now and the supervisor of the international group is under control, till Howards law takes my right to act away.
Vote only Labor if you work