rechtub while it seems the thread has become one of verbal tennis between me and you facts remain.
We ARE going to have such an election, soon.
While I hope you are not Representative you concern me.
You sound like an American Republican.
America in my view has never been more under threat, from its own people.
True I FEAR for America.
It is the engine room for the western world, freedom, human rights, a lot more .
But it may be dieing the early promise of the new President has gone, largely under a hail of lies, some even claim he is the anti Christ, not a few big numbers.
Others think he is a Muslim plant, going to hand the country over.
Americas as unfocused as any country in the world, lies are as common in its politics's in the middle east.
And you mob Australian conservatives, are following that trend, we however are far better than that.
Your post explains you do not read others words just rant.
35 workers?
Are you a republican butch?
Or did you think you read it.
Flexible workforce has been a mantra from both sides for 25 years, I agree, you devalue the ongoing progress.
Mining boom? yes ongoing , but do you want everything exported? can we not get proper wages for such remote workers.

I did not want to divert the thread, some are truly not aware we are on the verge of such an election.
Room existed in my view to talk about it.
Rechtub in your post I see something others may not agree with.
But if America and Australia did elect current conservatives, with current policy's, we would truly be in very big trouble.
Bomb Iran? lucky if Australia was not shooting refugees boats out of the water.
A close look at current world trends in lies and right wing rabble rouser's is surely a threat.
FLEXIBILITY
well yes but not slavery you quote things you do not understand.
If I held the power I Would, future unions will, while rewarding workers who work 7 day rosters set an annualized wage so , with worthwhile increases all hours worked would be one rate.
Rudd is no God, but he is in front and it is not hard to be better than his opponent.
Spend some time watching the oppositions out puts you may think twice.
and rechtub you must never, not ever say anyone is fixed in opinion until you understand issues.

Belly, many people choose to work overtime, or six or seven days as they want the money.

Now if you have a situation whereby a boss wants to employ you for 80 hours per week. Common in the butchery industry and, you want to work those hours, at normal time rates, then why can't you do that?

Why is it that unions have to become involved between two parties wanting to enjoy a mutually acceptable working arrangement?

In many industries, 38 hours simply won't pay the bills, yet, to be allowed overtime means penalty rates and, due to the tax system, the worker realy only gets normal rates for their overtime after taxes and loss of government assistance.

So the net result is that you often have your regular staff, scaping by on 38hr, then, you have a team of casuals working on weekends.

Now if these weekend workers have to declair this as a 'second job', then they get taxed to the point where it wasn't worth it. So, they often try to survive on part time work.

The governments laws mean that many cafe staff have sacked thier weekend staff and are now working themselves. How smart is that?

Remember. Bacon and eggs cost the same to buy on a monday, as on a sunday. So why should it cost more to produce?

This is what flexabillity in the workforce is about.

It has been interesting to observe that the majority of the new jobs that have been filled have been casual.

In 2007 the majority were full time, I suppose that with flexibiity there was no need to casualize these jobs.

Well done labor.

Belly, with elections due shortly, and as many labor senators with 3 years still to go would have to stand for election, the time for double dissolution has passed.

Our "separation of powers" principals supposedly separate our Legislature, from our Executive, and both from our Judiciary.

However "separation of powers" vanished, taken over by our Executive Government controlling our House of Representatives.

Australia's Executive Government decides what legislation considered, what proceeds, and what passes, within our House of Representatives.

Total power only requires obtaining control of the Senate.

Many argue the necessity, an excuse for so many abuses.

Australia's Constitution - read it, is designed with a separate Executive Government, with Ministers required to be members of either House of Representatives or Senate in order they be accountable to our people's legislative authorities.

The means to select Australia's Governor-General, our head of Executive Government, was left for Australians to determine.

Australians appear to have decided they want this by popular election.

Our Executive Government, controlling the House of Representatives has killed the clear desire by Australians to chose - by popular vote, who would be their Governor-General, their selected head of Executive Government.

Firstly, Executive Government's with control of our House of Representatives, all seek control of the Senate, so they can do whatever they wish.

Yes, it matter little which team controls Executive Government, both wish total control.

What has this to do with the coming elections ?

We need elect MHRs and Senators with clear commitments to introduce and pass a single bill for popular election of our Governor-General.

This does not require a Constitutional Amendment.

IF such bill unsuccessful, then needs a Constitutional amemndment, which any one house can achieve.

Then we shall have a popularly elected Executive Governor-General, with her/his Ministers which is separate, but still answerable, to our legislative chambers

Shadow Minister I truly thought you would know better.
Rudd even if he wins a normal election can not pass his bills.
He will call an election of both houses this year, watch.
rechtub I have shown you before how annualized wages works.
You did not under stand it, but it is in use today and both sides like it.
Both sides of the house want productivity increases, EBA currently gives such.
Other ways exist and we will look back on these days in wounder as we explore new ways, better ways.