Pericles, articles like this achieve ‘legitimacy’ only if left unchallenged…they’re totally discredited when facts are presented to disprove them…not difficult in this case, I concur.

…brw44, didn’t Paul Keating introduce a deregulated workplace proposal?

It was certainly the Federal ALP who deregulated the dairy industry…now there’s an example of what the workers can look forward to…count the suicides in the deregulated primary industries, when people are left with no market power and little income…

…take a look at the demise of small businesses like newsagents, independent liquor stores and fuel outlets…all wrecked by the same ‘competition’ policies.

The transnationals shell out millions of dollars across ALL of the major parties in ELECTION DONATIONS arrogantly ‘guiding’ government policy and quieting the opposition while they do it…

…marklatham?, not I, my friend and I disagree that those already affected should sit back smugly while others are herded along the same path of destruction that has affected you or I.

RE: waiting for the effects…take a look around at the transnational companies who are already importing cheap labour (have done illegally for years) on so-called work visas, paid cheap ‘contract’ rates and sent back from whence they came when their visa expires for more replacements (or left to become illegal ‘residents’).

This scenario applies across most industries, also amongst unskilled workers and some ‘professions’ (for want of a better word)…

RE: chattels…I’d say with the debt level on this country we’ve been regarded as that long ago…and our demise (in whatever form it takes) is regarded by most in the political arena and the chardonnay set as ‘acceptable collateral damage’.

Marklatham and others should reconsider and ask if it is time to stand together – workers, across industry and small business, farmers, whoever has been affected by all this so-called competition policy and globalism and tell both sides of politics that enough is enough…and bring some sanity and fair play back into this country’s ethos…

It may be easier now, down the track a generation or two we may well be passing our children’s children a far greater burden

Hi Meg1, the dairy industry de-regulation came in July 2000 and they were planned and ntroduced in 1997 ot 1998 so they are the work of the current government.

But I agree with you that workers have been bought in from overseas to erode the working conditions of Aussies. I particularly noticed the Indian security guards hired in Delhi for the Commonwealth Games, they were paid one third of the Australian pay rate, didn't understand colloquial Aussie like "home time!", didn't like searching women - watch that Granny bomber! To be fair they were hired by a two bit company set up for the games so it couldn't offer permanent work. Company might be a part of Chubb. The international media nick named them "Al-Quaeda".

Indian prgrammers and IT professionals replacing Australian public servants.

Expect that your tax return will be prepared in India shortly, after all that's where the ATO computer staff are.

Hey, where are the Howard Huggers in this debate. Are they too busy looking for a job? Or are they busy sacking people and employing others (or the same workers) at a cheaper rate?
We live in interesting times and as well as negatively affecting the economy, this IR law will see the rise of long and painful industrial disputes. Never mind that Peter Reith isn't in govt now, I am sure that the likes of Chris Corrigan will be able to round up some more Alsation attack dogs to harry stiking workers.
There is worse to come my friends.

...billie, much further than IT too. Borthwicks, Mackay-Queensland has contracted Brazilian meatworkers - guess the contracted prices...it's widespread and has been for years.

Check the hospitality industry in Cairns - same applies.

RE: Dairy industry, Gavan O'Connor (ALP MP-Corio, Victoria)assisted around 1995, in preparation (Federally) and implementation of dairy industry deregulation...John Kerin was Federal Agriculture Minister. Gavan outlined his involvement to me himself and indicated that his only problem with dairy deregulation was that it didn't go far enough... Gavan lived on his father's dairy farm around Colac, Victoria in his youth.

Keith Hamilton (Vic.Ag.Minister,ALP) introduced into the Parliament of Victoria, legislation to deregulate the Victorian Dairy industry. It was passed and supported by both the Vic. Liberals and Vic. National Party...undisputed proof they are all in bed on National Competition Policy and deregulation...check the numerous speeches in hansard from both sides to confirm their commitment.

Peter Beattie (Qld ALP) has recently deregulated the sugar industry, with disastrous consequences...including the loss of Austoft, Bundaberg (harvester manufacturers) to Brazil - how's Braztoft sound? The loss of jobs and infrastructure has impacted on Bundaberg severely.

Unquestionably and statistically the most efficient sugar producers in the world, (more efficient and productive than ALL, including Brazil) the Queensland canefarmers have been crippled by the Beattie government working hand-in-glove with the Howard government's National Competition Policy, signing Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) to do so...as they have in other deregulated industries.

In the sugar industry the winners are the transnational corporations like CSR and Bundaberg Sugar...the consumer has continued to pay higher prices for sugar-based products and the farmers are being sent to the wall, walking off or suiciding through payment of below-cost returns.

ABARE's statistics quote that Australian farmers (generally) have an average realisable income of $15000pa. Considering capital investment in farms, machinery, etc., (as other small businesses)- that's a poor return on investment. Government policy then refuses subdivision of farm land despite demand existing for housing blocks, removing all financial options...catch 22.

You have debts, therefore you have no choice but to work for nothing...or fall victim to one of the other tragic alternatives.

I used to be what this article would call a 'permanent casual' at a clothing retailer. For two and a half years I worked three days a week, had my own set of keys to the shop, and was essentially the weekend manager, for all I did not get any extra pay for the role. I enjoyed it, and appreciated the responsibility etc. Change of store manager however, who did not like knowing less about the place than her staff, and suddenly I was only working one day on a weekend, never sure if it would be the Saturday or the Sunday, so I could not plan my life more than a couple of days in advance. What power did I have? None- my extra responsibilities and expecations of hours were never recorded anywhere formally, so they meant nothing.

"permanent casual" is a stupid term, and the only person who would assume there is any degree of "permanency" about such arrangements, or any desirability in those arrangements, has obviously not been in such a situation in their recent memory. It is stressful, demeaning, and undermines your sense of self to know that the hard work you have put in mean exactly nothing because you are not a permanent full-time or part-timer.

Well said all................Give us another of your neo-liberal rants Haycroft!