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Australian workers denounce new industrial laws

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/nov2005/inte-n16.shtml

A broad range of industrial and office workers, state
and federal public servants, bank employees, teachers,
self-employed workers, pensioners and students spoke
with World Socialist Web Site reporters in Sydney,
Melbourne and Perth yesterday during the mass
demonstrations against the new industrial relations
laws. (See “Australia: 500,000 workers demonstrate
against Howard's industrial legislation”)
Many recognised that the Howard government’s
legislation and the new anti-terror laws were related,
and part of an international assault on working people.
They pointed to the consequences for jobs, living
standards and basic democratic rights. Several
immigrant workers drew parallels with their experiences
in other countries.
Few of those attending had any illusions that Labor would fight Howard’s industrial
legislation and most of those we interviewed angrily criticised Labor for supporting
the anti-terror measures. When asked to elaborate on their attitude to Labor,
disappointment, anger and disgust were the most common sentiments.
Comments by Amanda Walsh, a nurse, who attended the Sydney rally, were typical. She
said she was opposed to everything the Howard government stood for.

“I am against him dragging us into the war on Iraq. This war is illegal and a crime
and was always about oil and profits for big companies, and the new IR [Industrial
Relations] laws are the same. They are aimed at getting rid of workers’ conditions to
make more profits for employers. I am concerned about my conditions and those of all
workers.”
Asked what she thought about Labor’s support for Howard’s anti-terror laws, she
replied: “I am really disgusted that Labor supported this and it raises questions
about their opposition to the IR laws. Howard can’t be trusted on anything. He has
lied continually about everything, so why trust him on this? The anti-terror laws are
not about security for people. If Howard were really concerned about security, he
would not have joined the war on Iraq. It is clear that this has increased the
likelihood of a terror attack here. I don’t have any confidence in Labor. I don’t see
it as an opposition.”
Elizabeth, who also attended the Sydney demonstration, said: “I believe we have to
fight these new laws. They are aimed at taking away the rights and conditions of
workers that our parents and our grandparents fought to achieve. I believe that this
rally is the beginning of a fight against them. Having been a Labor person all my
life I must say I am disappointed in the party’s performance. I am disillusioned with
Labor. They are certainly not doing much to support workers and their families”.
Perry, a library assistant from Edith Cowan University in Perth said: “I think what
Howard is doing is a turning point in industrial relations in Australia and a step
backwards. We need to fight for the rights of workers against the globalisation push
and the power of the corporate world in politics. I don’t think the ALP represents a
genuine left position anymore. It’s hard to find politicians who will draw a line in
the sand.
“The war on terror is to some extent a red herring, in the sense that it demonises an
enemy in order to distract the people from the real issues. The whole idea of a war
on terror is misleading. One person’s freedom fighter is another’s enemy. It’s not a
black-and-white world—there are shades in between. The politicians want to push us
into this black-and-white world. It insults people’s intelligence. The sedition laws
have to be opposed. Kim Beazley has sold out.”
Cameron Usher, a member of the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU), told WSWS
reporters in Melbourne that the industrial relations laws were “divisive”.
“Howard is developing an underclass of the working poor, where workers are trapped in
a poverty cycle and where real wages are continually diminished.
“The anti-terror legislation is related to all of this. We could see any group
attacked: community groups, unions and workers. The Howard government is so
business-focused that even opposition to the IR legislation could be said to be
subverting the national economy. Any group opposing government policy can be
targeted.
“I like to think that this couldn’t happen here, but the government is changing
society. The recent raids in Sydney and Melbourne are to create fear. Look back to
what Howard did with the Tampa, then the children overboard, and now the recent
raids. Every new threat is to whip up public fear.
“Days like this are important to express widespread opposition but my union, the
CPSU, did not call a strike. They recommended that we take approved leave. I don’t
believe that the Labor Party will repeal the IR legislation if elected. I am
increasingly disillusioned with Labor. They are more compliant than ever with Howard’s
changes. Hopefully, Labor will take note of the numbers here today and maybe change,
but they are increasingly out of touch with their constituency.”
Philip Johnson, a self-employed electrical engineer, attended the Melbourne rally
with his wife Alyson. “We are concerned about the impact on lower-paid and
lower-skilled workers,” he said. “They will have no negotiation powers or collective
bargaining.”

“The trend of this government is to restrict freedom—for the government to have more
and more control. The sedition laws in the anti-terror legislation restrict everyone’s
rights to protest when governments are making immoral decisions. Back in the Vietnam
War days we protested against Australia’s involvement. If you want to protest against
the Iraq War, then this could now be classed as aiding the enemy.
“The Labor Party is a weak reflection of the Liberals. There is no genuine
opposition. No-one is saying anything different.”
One factory worker at the Melbourne rally, who wanted to remain anonymous, commented:
“There is no choice under the IR legislation and the anti-terrorist legislation has
such a broad framework. I was born in South Africa and under apartheid, if you were
black, you were regarded as a terrorist. Now living in Australia, it is like déjà vu.
What applied over there now applies here. I don’t think the Labor Party would improve
anything. With Beazley, there will be no roll back. You can’t count on that.”
Stewart, a young building worker, said: “We have to take on Howard on this IR stuff
because they are cutting the throats of the working class. The anti-terror laws are
like what is happening in the construction industry with the Building Industry
Taskforce.
“The Taskforce says that if you have not got written permission from your employer to
attend today’s rally, then you could be fined $22,000 or $110,000 for a union.
Workers can be called before the Taskforce and you have no right to silence. It’s
about breaking the building unions.
“The Taskforce legislation came through in October and now any stoppages or work bans
for health and safety issues are banned. We have to fight against all of this.”
Ben Hay, a Melbourne public servant, said: “I think there is a worrying trend around
the world at the moment of a much more rightwing agenda and it’s being led by Bush
and Blair. Blair’s supposed to be a Labour person, but with Bush they have moved
politics to the far right.
“We are losing rights that have been part of our democratic process for about a
hundred years. The industrial relations laws are as undemocratic as many of the
things in the anti-terror legislation. I’m really concerned that this is the thin
edge of the wedge and will stop us being able to express our own opinions,
particularly against policies of the government.
“I’m pretty disillusioned with the Labor Party,” he continued. “It lacks leadership
and I think that they’re afraid to speak for the working class because they feel the
middle class voters won’t vote for them. They may as well join the Liberals.”
Juan Fernandez, a self-employed painter, said: “The IR legislation won’t affect me
directly as I work for myself but I want to see an opposition. The ALP doesn’t
represent working people at all and is led by the right wing. Whatever Howard comes
up with, Beazley agrees with it. He supported the Iraq war straight away. The Labor
Party is in decline and there is no opposition to Howard in parliament.
“I came to Australia two years after the coup in Chile. Here in Australia, the poor
exist, but they are hidden. In Chile they are out in the open. There are shantytowns
and beggars. You can’t live on the minimum wage.”
A teacher from Footscray City Primary School said: “About 50 percent of the workforce
at my school left today to come out on strike. What they are doing with education is
connected with their anti-democratic agenda. As they have cut education, the younger
generation has been increasingly dumb-founded by what is happening and confused about
the information disseminated by the media.
“There are no leaders standing up against the new IR and anti-terrorist agenda. At
the same time, ordinary people feel completely disenfranchised, as their politicians
just go ahead with their own agenda.
“I really think we need a new party—a new organisation that links working people
around the world. Look at where my wife comes from, the Philippines. If you want to
talk about an anti-democratic regime, you’ve got it there. People have no right to
strike or to organise or to oppose anything the government advances. This is what is
coming here. There are real similarities and people have to wake up. You can’t look
at what’s happening here without looking at what is happening to working people
around the world.”
Jeff Webster, a teacher, and his wife Heather, traveled 300 kilometres from Wilson’s
Promontory to attend the rally. “The government is changing all our rights and there
is a lot of fear in the community,” Jeff said.
“People are concerned, but if we weren’t in Iraq we wouldn’t have this situation. It’s
snowballing in so many different areas but a lot of people have no comprehension of
how bad it is. Look at the sedition laws. They don’t want an informed opposition. In
the present climate, you have to be concerned. I’ve been a Labor voter all my life,
but I’ve lost faith in the Labor Party. I’m frustrated.”
Heather Webster was much blunter. “Kim Beazley is a waste of space,” she said.
As well as tens of thousands of workers, numbers of university and high school
students attended the nationwide rallies.
Rosie, a first-year International Studies student at the Royal Melbourne Institute of
Technology, said: “I came in with my dad because this legislation affects the entire
community. It will lessen workers’ rights and make it much harder for them to
organise.
“The terror laws are there to encourage fear in the population. It is aimed at
suppressing the population and I think the ALP is complicit in all of this. They just
go along with anything promoted by Howard. They are weak in the extreme.
“It is part of a movement to the right by governments across the world,” she added.
“Australia is following both Britain and the US. The ‘Coalition of the Willing’ isn’t
a coalition of the populations, it is a coalition of the governments. And these
governments are subject to companies that have far greater power than governments.
The market operates outside all controls.”
Simon, a Year 8 student from University High in Melbourne, attended the rally with
others from his school. “I don’t know a lot about what is happening,” he said, “but I
realise that the workers are getting the short end of the stick. It’s really good to
see so many people at the rally today.
“I know that Howard said all this will be forgotten in a few months but how can we
believe anything he says. He lied in the past about why they went to Iraq. How can we
believe anything he says now?”
In Perth, Luke Richardson, a TAFE engineering student, said: “I am generally opposed
to the IR changes. I have heard a lot of bad stories about AWAs [Australian Workplace
Agreements]. They are manipulated to shaft the worker. Big business is always trying
to maximise profits by slashing wages and conditions. The end justifies the means. If
they can save a few million dollars by sending families into poverty, they don’t
care.
“One rally won’t change it. You need a general popular movement, on a continuous
basis, that will be targeted and organised in the interests of the people.”

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I intend to last long enough to put out of business all *****-suckers
and other beneficiaries of the institutionalized slavery and genocide.

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"The army that will defeat terrorism doesn't wear uniforms, or drive
Humvees, or calls in air-strikes. It doesn't have a high command, or
high security, or a high budget. The army that can defeat terrorism
does battle quietly, clearing minefields and vaccinating children. It
undermines military dictatorships and military lobbyists. It subverts
sweatshops and special interests.Where people feel powerless, it
helps them organize for change, and where people are powerful, it
reminds them of their responsibility." ~~~~ Author Unknown ~~~~
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