Sir Vivor: "I have read and re-read Arjay's first paragraph, and cannot find the sense in it. The best sense I can make of it is to assume "former" was meant, rather than latter."

I agree, Sir V. But since he doesn't appear to have acknowledged your comment, one wonders whether Arjay actually comprehends or cares. While there is an obvious intelligence in there somewhere, it usually expresses itself in somewhat obtuse terms.

Tak: "Workchoices is truly a croc."

If you mean that it is a living policy dinosaur, that is toothsome, slimy and a threat to unwary humans - well then I agree with you absolutely :)

If you meant that Workchoices is truly a crock, I would concur without reservation. I say this as a small business owner and employer of casual staff.

Sorry Arjay - I was a bit hasty there.

Having reread your last post I think I may have been a bit harsh on you. I agree that a better compromise between a global free-for-all and local protectionism is both possible and necessary.

One of John Howard's greatest gifts to the Australian people is Bank Fees.

Under his PM ship bank fees have started virtually at zero and now exceed 10 billion $ per annum. And climbing faster than CPI.

Why doesn't anyone raise his part in not only allowing this, but actively encouraging it. Home affordability has gone out the window under Howard. Bank Fees are the unseen weapon he bashes families with, and he smiles.

With the GST on top Howard has destroyed more families than the Black Death did all those decades ago.

I'm still waiting to see what Union proposals Rudd will foist upon us?

Robyn ,it was Keating who deregulated the banking system.They should never have sold the Commonwealth Bank.It should have been corporatised and the profits used for infrastructure.

The GST was a mistake,the states got more taxes and just grew their bureaucracies.There was supposed to be a trade off in reduction of other taxes.It never eventuated.Tax is the drug of big Govts who increasingly make us dependant upon them.

Mark Davis in the Sydney Morning Herald today http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/working-poor-total-almost-a-million/2007/04/15/1176575687722.html
reported that there were 1 one million working poor living in households where at least one adult has a job.

The minimum wage is $13.46 per hour.

"The low-paid employees were concentrated in labouring, clerical and services roles and worked mainly in the hospitality and wholesale and retail trade industries. They spent a significantly higher proportion of their household budgets on necessities - food, housing, clothing, utility bills and transport - than the average household."