Write to Oppose Proposed Labor IR Policy : Melbourne Indymedia

Dear friends and comrades,

This morning I sent variants of the following email to Julia Gillard, Kevin Rudd, Brian Boyd and Dean Mighell. While the email I sent to Gillard and Rudd emphasised my disapproval of their policy direction, my email to Brian Boyd and Dean Mighell encouraged resistance to the IR policy direction proposed by Rudd at the upcoming ALP National Conference from April 27th-April 29th.

Please send your own emails to these people, and any other relevant ALP members you can think of. Hopefully we can overwhelm them – so that Gillard and Rudd are given pause for thought, and so that opponents to this IR agenda within the ALP take care and find the courage to resolutely oppose regressive policy at the Conference – rather than ‘shutting up’ for ‘cosmetic’ reasons.

sincerely,

Tristan Ewins

exmaples of letters sent:

Letter sent to Kevin Rudd:

Dear Kevin,

I’m just writing this email to you to urge you to reconsider changes to ALP IR policy – including limitations on pattern bargaining, no right to strike and secret ballots for industrial action. These changes, to my mind, represent an appalling betrayal of workers: and what is more, they seem to have been made purely to placate the Murdoch press, and the more rabid elements of the employer lobby. There is little support for these changes amongst ordinary voters – especially Labor voters – and, to the contrary, all evidence points toward popular support for the ‘ripping up’ of Howard’s IR laws. The ALP is riding well in the polls, and opposition to Workchoices seems to be more of a plus than a detraction – for fear we may be ‘too close’ to our industrial wing. Strike action in Australia is almost at a 50 year low, and frankly I don’t see where the momentum for these changes is coming from. The laws you are now proposing are in flagrant violation of Australia’s commitments under ILO conventions. I am only a humble branch member (and occasional freelance writer), and will not even be at National Conference, but I did hope that the ascension of yourself and Julia to the leadership would see the reaffirmation of Labor values, while not compromising on such core issues as IR. I hope, now, I am not proven wrong.

sincerely,

Tristan Ewins

tristane@bigpond.net.au

ALP member

Letter sent to Dean Mighell:

Dear Dean,

I’m just writing this email to you to urge you not to back down in your opposition to changes to ALP IR policy – including limitations on pattern bargaining, no right to strike and secret ballots for industrial action. These changes, to my mind, represent an appalling betrayal of workers: and what is more, they seem to have been made purely to placate the Murdoch press, and the more rabid elements of the employer lobby. There is little support for these changes amongst ordinary voters – especially Labor voters – and, to the contrary, all evidence points toward popular support for the ‘ripping up’ of Howard’s IR laws. Strike action in Australia is almost at a 50 year low, and frankly I don’t see where the momentum for these changes is coming from. The laws now supported by Rudd are in flagrant violation of Australia’s commitments under ILO conventions. I encourage you to work determinedly with fellow unionists in the Left, and anyone in the Right who might be having second thoughts over these proposals, to put up a determined resistance at National Conference. And I also urge you to continue the campaign against these changes even should the changes pass. Best wishes – and please don’t give up the fight.

sincerely,

Tristan Ewins

tristane@bigpond.net.au

ALP member

you can reach the following Labor figures at these email addresses:

Dean Mighell: etu@etu.asn.au <etu@etu.asn.au>
Kevin Rudd: Kevin.Rudd.MP@aph.gov.au <Kevin.Rudd.MP@aph.gov.au>
Julia Gillard: Julia.Gillard.MP@aph.gov.au <Julia.Gillard.MP@aph.gov.au>

Okay I was for him before I was against him but think about what supporting this goose Krudd gets us.

Howard lite?

Howard on the other hand, or wicked King John could yet be humiliatingly forced to sign a Magna Carta downunder.

If the messiah was born in a manger half way beween Kingaroy and Ipswich then chances are he is bananas.

Then you vote for him and you'll soon get the rough end of a pineapple. Better the devil you know.

These things are all missing in your so called "democracy" the democracy you think you have!

We are calling for an abundance of people who don't believe in the official truth, which is a MONSTER and a lie all the days of your life, not to vote.

If things are going to change then they're never going to change whilst people give validity and credibility to a totally flawed system.

That means you'll be looking at Lib/Lab until the day you die!

Just Don't Vote or Vote Informal

You don't live in a democracy you live in a pseudo democracy. The democracy you have when you don't have a democracy. Which is a dictatorship!

You don't need a dictatorship! You're not a sheepy.

If John Howard and Kevin Rudd are a democracy then where is the Senate?

COAG is not a Senate! If every time you vote you get a Labor State or Territory and a Liberal Coalition National Govt then you live in a dictatorship.

By the way what would happen with COAG if one party ruled both the National and State and Territory affairs? DICTATORSHIP.

But if you consider that being a well-paid loser isn't a bad job and pays well then also consider the handshake between Lib/Lab that is a virtual one party.

For instance:

Where is the opposition to WAR?

Where is the opposition to WAR Crimes?

Where is the opposition to Draconian Laws?

Where is the opposition to Refugee Detainment?

Where is the opposition to David Hicks 5 year detention?

Where is the opposition to the AWB scandal?

Where is the opposition to Islamophobia?

Where is the opposition to Political Scapegoating?

Where is the opposition to Neo-Colonialism?

Where is the opposition to False Flag Operations by the CIA?

Where is the opposition to the FTA 'Investors Rights Agreement'?

Where is the opposition to Social Services Reform?

Where is the opposition to Desperate and Disabled to Work?

Where is the opposition to 6 week Social Security Payments Cut Off's?

Where is the opposition to Work for the Dole instead of Getting Better Education and Skills for Better Employment Opportunities?

Where is the opposition to Rorting the Social Security System by Corporate Greed?

The Real Dole Bludgers

Unemployment figures scandal story ( longish)

On the surface it was not too bad an experience. I got a nice redundancy package and almost immediately was able to gain employment in the new privatised sector at a higher salary. Financially it was good. I was deemed to have performed so well for my first “provider” that, when they failed to get a renewal on their contract, I was able to get a new job that was effectively a promotion, managing one of the suburban outlets of my second. Nor, on paper at least, had I thus been promoted to the level of my incompetence (an ambition I eagerly look forward to fulfilling). I got good results in this role, was made “employee of the month” and won generous, tax-free bonuses.

http://melbourne.indymedia.org/news/2007/03/142867.php

Scrap Growing Esteem
Say NO to cuts in education

In reality the university has decided to go down this road not because of the educational merits but for reasons of status and profit. In 2005, when the model was first proposed, the Vice Chancellor highlighted that over the past 25 years guaranteed federal funding has gone from 90% to 23% of university revenue. Therefore the university perceived two choices, continue to grow at the current rate or opt for a radical rethink.

http://melbourne.indymedia.org/news/2007/04/143707.php

Mr Speaker!

For arguments sake let's say Lab just happened not to throw the election by coming up with say, an anti strike policy? Just Hypothetical of course?

Then say Lab wins! Yay! No?

At the next COAG meeting there is no real opposition to new Anti-Terror laws for opening your mouth more than five times in one day?

Labor agrees with Labor that that's okay now. No one argued at all!

Then on that basis Lab does what it wants?

So how does that work? Come on smarty I'm just stupid! Never went to school either!

Now I put it to you clearly as my proposition that in fact, Labor cannot Win on that basis because the Neo-Liberal Coalition would not allow it, for a start!

Who controls everything? They do!

The second point is that it wouldn't look right to the general public if and when a controversial issue come up.

What line of defence has either Lib or Lab come up with as a proposition to an event whereby one part ruled States, Territories, and the Central Gov't?

I rest my case!

Mr Speaker!

Business Council calls for COAG overhaul
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 18/04/2007 - 07:03.

What did I say!

=================

The Business Council of Australia says the current Council of Australian Governments (COAG) model needs to be overhauled because it is [incapable of addressing important national issues.]

The BCA says the relation between the federal and state governments is one of five key areas that politicians should focus on reforming as part of their federal election promises.

The BCA's president Michael Chaney says an overhaul of COAG will help make any reforms more effective.

[THE LIES]

"We simply can't afford a system of federal state relations which meets only occasionally, this year just once for half a day, decides erratically and follows through irregularly," he said.

"Businesses have really stopped believing in the effectiveness of COAG as it currently stands." [LIES]

Mr Chaney says reforming state-federal relations is the key to progress in education, workplace relations and business regulation.

"Frankly if the states aren't prepared to make regulatory reform a priority issue, it makes sense of the Commonwealth to take over repsonsibility for business rules and reuglations that are inefficient and inconsistent," he said.

"They've made life very costly and cumbersome for businesses operating in this country."

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200704/s1899792.htm

COAG is only for PNAC Neo-Liberal Dictators! This is just a nonsense by the Business Council to say that under a Labor Gov't considering they have control of the STATES and TERRITORIES THAT COAG CAN'T WORK.

OF COURSE IT CAN'T WORK!

That's the real reason because it can't work if one party ruled the nation can it? DICTATORSHIP!

Seems that people are getting Message!

You should vote for Nobody, because:

- Nobody keeps election promises.
- Nobody has all the answers.
- Nobody will represent you.
- Nobody will improve your community.
- Nobody has your best interests at heart.
- Nobody will make a real difference!
- A vote for Nobody is a vote for Everybody!

OK, seriously now...

http://melbourne.indymedia.org/news/2007/04/143666_comment.php#143712

Unemployed to be offered jobs in defence forces

Employment service providers will be encouraged to work with the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to help more people take on a military career.

http://melbourne.indymedia.org/news/2007/04/143466_comment.php#143477

Time to go to war with your country?

Unemployed to be offered jobs in war forces. She says the scheme will provide opportunities to unemployed people who would not otherwise have considered a job in the ADF?

http://melbourne.indymedia.org/news/2007/04/143481.php

HOUSING - A HUMAN RIGHT

The news that the French government has drafted a law to give everyone a legally enforceable right to housing should be of interest to the 100,000 homeless people in Australia.

While great attention is given to home ownership in this country with 70% of Australians owning or purchasing their own homes, the lack of affordable rental accommodation is ignored.

The main cause of homelessness is insufficient public housing (where rents are normally fixed at 25% of income) and the limited number of private rental properties available being let at around $300 a week - for a two-bedroom unit and $350 a week - for a three bedroom home – all beyond the reach of low-income earners or those receiving unemployment or disability allowances.

The misleading public perception that the homeless have only themselves to blame for their plight or that a homeless person is a male and an alcoholic to boot denies the homeless public sympathy and allows politicians to do little to remedy the situation.

Yet the evidence shows that homelessness is not a lifestyle choice. Such people are in fact the most vulnerable in our community - they are the unemployed, the disabled, women and children fleeing domestic violence and sexual abuse and those suffering mental illness.

Statistics reveal that 42% of the homeless are women (half under the age of 24) and 50,000 children are among those seeking a roof over their heads.

The French government`s endorsement of Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is worthy of emulation as it links adequate housing for all with the health and welfare of people as a human right.

Those without a dwelling in which to reside have the added risk of going hungry, being assaulted (if sleeping on the streets) and never having a secure, private space so important to self-esteem and wellbeing.

While here in Australia we willingly encourage governments to allocate taxpayers funds to provide hospitals and schools for all, it is a serious anomaly that the provision of shelter for all is overlooked.

Federal governments do not leave it to the market to dictate property trends as they continue to grant billions of dollars to housing investors by way of negative gearing and reduced capital gains, tax concessions. (In 2005 tax deductions claimed on rental property were $20.5 billion.)

Therefore, with a change of policy on such inequitable taxation concessions and subsidies, funds could be made available to increase affordable public housing stock (either by way of construction or by the spot-buying of existing dwellings), at the same time involving insurance and superannuation companies in worthwhile rental housing projects as is the case in some other countries.

Those of us who have the security and enjoyment of owning our own home or are struggling to pay a high mortgage must demand that governments provide secure, affordable housing for the unlucky Australians – the homeless.

In this way we will be upholding a basic human right for all.
Keith McEwan ACT

http://www.melbourneunitarian.org.au/beacon/beacon200703

Youth homelessness inquiry head tells of 'crisis point'

A national inquiry into youth homelessness has been told an accommodation shortage is one of the main reasons the problem is getting worse.

It is estimated there are about 35,000 young homeless people in Australia and the number is rising.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200704/s1898291.htm

Democratic Lost Property?

These things are all missing in your so called "democracy" the democracy you think you have!

We are calling for an abundance of people who don't believe in the official truth, which is a MONSTER and a lie all the days of your life, not to vote.

If things are going to change then they're never going to change whilst people give validity and credibility to a totally flawed system.

That means you'll be looking at Lib/Lab until the day you die!

Bush (Custer) Last Stand In Iraq - War Drums in Washington

The majority of American citizens have the delusion that they actually decide who governs them, when in practice the Democrats and Republicans are only two wings of the same ruling class that owns Congress, just as it owns the land, the banks and big corporations, the newspapers, and radio and television companies.

http://melbourne.indymedia.org/news/2007/02/139901.php

Stop Voting - Stop Supporting Pseudo Democracies

Just as communicating with the Feds about abandoning the way we live now is a futile process that only buttresses the legitimacy of old ways of thinking and living, continuing to vote within centralised political processes only reinforces their continuing relevance. Citizens who continue to reside within totalitarian-democracies can, at least partly, abandon them by not voting at elections that will never lead to abundance and a better way of living.

Where voting is compulsory, as it is for all three levels of government in Australia, it will be preferable for dissenting citizens to cast informal ballots. If large numbers of citizens do this the numerical legitimacy of the victorious party will be reduced. Whenever the Feds introduce electronic voting machines that do not allow informal ballots it will be time to leave the present nation state, just as it was time for many people to leave Nazi Germany in 1935. Once totalitarianism shows its face openly it is time to go. Leaver-givers who decide to leave their nation in such circumstances are sure to prefer to relocate to a free city or region, where they will be among like-minded people with the same goal of laying down the base for a Level 4 Civilization.

People living in countries that appear to be heading towards a violently totalitarian future should plan their move early and have several options thought out and provided for. In this case not voting will not be enough, there is a need to ensure the safety of loved ones. Those citizens who left Germany before 1933 were generally able to take funds and possessions with them, those who scraped out after 1933 were less fortunate. Many who stayed were dispossessed, imprisoned, raped, slaughtered, or otherwise mistreated by the Nazis or the "liberating" armies. If you're going to leave, do it early.

http://melbourne.indymedia.org/news/2006/05/113003.php

=========================================

War criminals need time, not a timetable: Community

Not only has Labor left the Iraqi's in the lurch by being complicit in the illegal and degrading act of aggression killing over 655,000 people in a holocaust but now they say, after the fact, that they won't leave the Iraqi's in the lurch. So why have we been left in the lurch?

http://melbourne.indymedia.org/news/2007/03/142514.php

THE MONSTER

The MONSTER destroys itself, so why do we fight the MONSTER? Why not just build our own world? Think of cost benefit of our time, money and our investment in building a new world - opposed to trying to stop the MONSTER who is always right. I know! We might save some lives! Nah! The monster said… that those people had to die and they'll have to lock people up if they disagree. So we say… well lock us up then. And they do! Then they go off and continue to do the killing while people are locked up. Because that was the right thing to do - because they were just terrorists and you were just a wild animal that doesn't understand capitalism and the way the system works. I know! We'll stop the war in Iraq? But Afghanistan is okay so well just keep on building democracy over there?

http://melbourne.indymedia.org/news/2007/03/142427.php

Lib/Lab Truth Scale TV

Yeah there was Johnny Howard lecturing about how the Liberals could lead NSW with a Peter Debnam's 'Let's fix NSW' campaign. But the way I see it they know how to 'fix it', all right! In more criminal ways than one. You just have to think like a war criminal and invite the spirits in for a chat about history...

http://melbourne.indymedia.org/news/2007/03/141967.php

THE POLITICS OF CRIME IN AUSTRALIA TODAY

How is it that Prime Minister John Howard can accuse other people of some crime or lies? No, you do not need to be clairvoyant or have any special supernatural talents to meet up with or to see one of the more see-through inhabitants of politics in Australia today. You just need a strong heart and an eager mind. While other people, who are being accused, belittled, tainted or desecrated by numerous criminal politicians and their media allies. Politicians who don't lead us by any form of example and who break their own morals, principals, values, and ethics. Politicians who break their own laws in order to deceive us and to suit their own political ends.

http://melbourne.indymedia.org/news/2007/03/141552.php

Australia: The New 51st State

John Howard's servility to the US is even greater than Tony Blair's and has earned him the nickname Bush's deputy sheriff. The conspiracy between Washington, the media and politicians is eroding the country's freedoms

http://melbourne.indymedia.org/news/2007/03/141471.php

If you're waiting for Lib/Lab then you're just waiting for a catastrophe!

What about all the scapegoats the Howard government has produced for their war on terror/resources? Most, still languishing in isolated segregation prisons and still waiting to be heard. Rendition and torture of our citizens? 20 years for thought crimes? Jury asked to push on when they couldn't make up their mind? Rules of evidence and standards lowered in our local courts? 5 years in Guantanamo without trial or charge? Military style Kangaroo Courts, Control Orders? Detention Orders? Indefinite Detention? Then we have Australian citizens being held in detention and even being deported?

http://melbourne.indymedia.org/news/2007/02/139474.php

Possible Torres Strait survivor sightings ignored, inquest hears

The coronial inquest into the sinking of an Immigration Department boat in 2005 in the Torres Strait, in far north Queensland, has heard survivors may have been spotted alive in the water during the rescue search.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200704/s1898834.htm

All requests and demands by rather inept psyops not to vote serve the interests of minority and majority groups who DO VOTE, WHO ARE YO TRYING TO KID, FUCKWIT?

Psyops are made reduntant by most of the commenters on this site. Sad, really. Although it does give alot of pleasure to right wing trolls who can read the comment threads then give themselves the comforting illusion that leftists are all ignorant and arrogant conspiracy theorists who know nothing about anything but call the rest of humanity deluded slaves, etc. Sorry, right wing trolls, but these self-important nutters are not the activists who build the movements that you hate so much.

Damn shame for all conservatives, religious and political that most people are able to add 2+2 and arrive at 4, u pathetic turds -- but the best is calling me right wing -- conservatives are right wing, you know Islamists, Zionists, Libs, neo-cons etc ... see U at mosque, shithead

One of Australia's top search and rescue experts has compiled a damning report about efforts to find an Immigration Department boat that went missing in the Torres Strait more than a year ago.

Five people died when the Malu Sara sank.

The boat went missing after leaving Saibai Island in October 2005.

The Malu Sara's skipper reported the boat was sinking at about 2am AEST.

The first search plane left about seven hours later.

The boat has never been found.

Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) senior search and rescue officer Anthony Marshall reviewed the tragedy and his report has been tendered for the coronial inquest on Thursday Island.

Mr Marshall found the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA) did not alert police early enough and when it did, several rescue options were not explored.

They included launching search planes from Cairns in far north Queensland and Darwin in the Northern Territory to drop life rafts or issuing a distress message to ships in the Torres Strait.

His report also says DIMA did not tell police about weather conditions, the number of people on the Malu Sara and how long it had been missing.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200704/s1903132.htm