Peter Boyle
In the last sitting of the old Senate, the Greens combined with the ALP to pass a motion noting the launch of the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) advertising campaign highlighting the impact of the Coalition government's industrial relations reforms on workers and families. The motion called on people to support the ACTU's June 27-July 1 national week of union and community action.
The motion also commended the plans for community action around the country on June 30 and July 1, noted the growing community concern and anger over the anti-union laws and called on the government to withdraw the proposals and "commit to a fair and cooperative approach to industrial relations".
This was a symbolic act. Most of the new anti-union laws will be considered by a new Senate made up of 39 Coalition, 28 Labor, four Democrats, four Greens and one Family First senator.
The Coalition will have a majority in the new Senate, yet incoming Queensland National Senator Barnaby Joyce and West Australian Liberal Senator David Johnston have raised the prospect of crossing the floor to vote against aspects of the IR changes. The Howard government hopes to woo the remaining Democrats senators as insurance.
From Green Left Weekly, June 29, 2005.
Visit the Green Left Weekly home page.