http://www.smh.com.au/business/libs-the-winners-in-political-donations-20140203-31xb6.html
Thanks Foxy, this link puts to the test the rant that Labor gets too much support from unions.
The massive amounts the government got, from its self interested supporters surely nullifies that often missused charge.
Paul did you ever think you would see better from that lot?
I wanted to post a link basically talking about union numbers and the continuing internal debate about union control of the party.
A far bigger percentage of former union officers are in Australia's Parliaments than the percentage of Australians in unions.
Yep me a former official, but in the interests of both movements we need to talk about that.
It has to be remembered both groups must think about increasing the percentage who join/vote for them.
No progress will come from holding our breath and stamping our feet.
If we deny, or protect those who in the end betray us we are killing our right to claim we truly represent any one.
A balanced and honest talk about our recent decent in to this truly disgusting slime heap is needed or we except we do not care enough to act.
On this issue, against such a fool as Abbott our polling can and will fall if we are seen as not wanting to open our books not let this grubby union be investigated.

Dear Belly,

Did you happen to see 'Q and A' last night?
It was one of the best panel discussions ever
with a wide mix of opinions.

Barnaby Joyce - who's
now the Minister for Agriculture in the current government
spoke of the plight of the farmers,(brought tears to
my eyes), he spoke of what the ABC meant
to rural Australians, and how he hoped that SPC and the
Goulburn Valley would survive. Barnaby made sense for the
first time in ages.

As far as union corruption went - the
consensus seemed to be (and with which I fully agree)
that corruption investigations
should be left up to the proper authorities who are
equipped and trained to handle the job - and that is
law enforcement agencies such as the police. And
Instead of spending millions on Royal Commissions (with
little results of any consequence as has been the case
in the past) - that
money should be put to better use in giving help where it's
so desperately needed at the moment - like farmers and
the Goulburn Valley. As Ray Martin pointed out, once we lose
our food production in the Goulburn Valley, we'll never get
it back. And that will be a tragedy of major proportions.

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/21255493/electoral-commission-probes-liberal-donation-by-tarcila-resources/
Foxy I did and the man has grown just in the time he has been in office.
I feel as bad as he does about the plight, even pre drought our farmers face daily and too for year after year.
I too understand, despite some saying it is not true we will need all the food and exports they can grow, that is reason enough to help them now.
Liberalism once too knew support was some times the only way to keep them producing.
My link, in my honest view, could have been one of at least one hundred, questioning Liberal ministers/members,in the last 12 months even talking about their removal by their party,s.
But silence greets any such truth.
I refuse to back away from this threads content, yes the blanket of solidarity is being thrown over the whole affair, by Labor and Unions.
Surely some one is bright enough to say end this! fix it! stop producing anti union/Labor headline for the other side.
By years end the NSW Parliamentary filth will again tell of true filth, no other word better describes them, in our ranks.
If we can not convince me, a lifetime lover how can we think we can con ordinary Australians who more each day believe the Murdock press an arm of the Australian Liberal Party?
Heads out off the sand mu Ostrich brothers.

Foxy, 'Q&A says....', 'Ray Martin says...'

You are defensive and clueless about the role and operation of Royal Commissions.

Corruption is endemic. This has been going on for donkey's years. This isn't the only union affected, remember Gallagher.

The public says enough is enough. Only the bent players have anything to fear. Why are you protecting them?

Dear Belly,

I shall leave you to continue to do what you feel
you must.

But just remember what I've cited earlier
from various sources on the web and that is-

"During the Howard years the Coalition established
the Cole Royal Commission into corruption in the
building and construction industry. The inquiry was
motivated by exactly the sort of allegations that
have come to light in recent days... despite spending
2 years and over $60 million - making it one of the
most expensive in Australian history the Cole inquiry did
not result in a single prosecution."

"... any time union misconduct rears its head, conservatives
are apt to leap on the allegations. However any balanced
analysis of trade unions in Australian public life suggests
that they aren't generally corrupt and that the majority of
union officials spend their time doing exactly what they're
meant to: representing their members."

I can understand and admire your integrity. It's a shame
that there's not more people like yourself on both sides
of politics. Finger-pointing at only a select group brings
to memory other scandals like the oil-for food kickbacks
with Iraq associated with the AWB -
which Mr Howard denied knowing anything about.
The same as Mr Murdoch did in defence of his newspaper staff-
in the London courts. Ah well, "the age old hatreds of
Australian politics ensure that trade unions will always be a
juicy target during periods of conservative governments."
Too bad they don't apply the same standards to their own
party's activities.

Belly should be a wake-up to the foxy little Greens line being pushed there. No surprise really when it is remembered that any RC into the CFMEU will embarrass the Greens. Didn't Adam Bandt receive hefty donations from the Victorian Branch of the CFMEU to win the seat of Melbourne?

As recent embarrassments to CEOs and companies have shown, any attempt to conceal or minimise a wrong will rebound and very badly too. In this case the good unions and union delegates are wise to support the RC.

Frankly it would be very surprising if the thousands of respectable hard-working union delegates and members didn't make every reasonable effort to separate themselves from the rogues and the sly politics and deals done behind closed doors that don't benefit union member or public alike.