Comments on: They're at it again…

By: Paul Norton

Paul Norton — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 01:52:27 +0000

The timber industry is unique in that it faces attacks from the party that was founded by workers for workers.

In 2004 the Tasmanian “timber” (actually forest) industry was “attacked” by Labor with the promise of a restructuring package worth 5 years wages for every forestry worker in the state. If a government were to attack my job in a similar manner I’d be turning the other cheek with alacrity.

By: steve

steve — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 00:02:15 +0000

Primary function indeed,Robert Brown but there are also secondary and tertiary functions that need to be worked through in a timely manner so we are not left with the embarrassing spectacle of workers cheering on Tories.

It was a result of lack of options being left open and nowhere to go when Howard applied the pressure during the final week of an election campaign.

By: Robert Brown

Robert Brown — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 23:29:47 +0000

When will you all realise that a Union’s primary function is to defend the jobs of it’s members. The CFMEU Forestry division are an example to the rest of the Union movement in that they should concentrate their efforts into protecting members jobs rather than worrying about their position within the ALP. No other industry has Labour Governments close down jobs. The timber industry is unique in that it faces attacks from the party that was founded by workers for workers. All Union officials should take a leaf out of Michael O’Connor’s book and stand up for their members instead of jumping on the latest issue bandwagon.

By: Mikey

Mikey — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 17:32:10 +0000

So they CFMEU supported Howard. And in return he gave them the IR reforms.

“That’ll learn ‘em”.

People talk about splitting the Labor party, but let’s be clear – no Union in the country will support John Howard this election.

By: Tyro Rex

Tyro Rex — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 13:46:37 +0000

The Tasmanian division of the CFMEU should be disaffiliated from the party, quite frankly.

By: steve

steve — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 11:37:20 +0000

Bearcave, Glad you disagree. It was just an idea off the top of my head but that’s the way the world turns and the more people who throw their two cents worth in the better.

I’m sure that the actual position of the CFMEU would not have been the position as outlined in the newspaper anyway. Apart from the free kick given to Howard in the last election campaign I’m sure they have the interests of workers at heart and I know that they would not deliberately favour the Tories if given attractive choices.

By: steve

steve — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 10:41:01 +0000

Obby, Club Troppo has a view from the Business Council of Australia

By: observa

observa — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 09:29:16 +0000

And when we’ve succeeded in turning you into a Howard with Hair man Spiros, our victory will be complete. Mwahahahahahah!

By: Spiros

Spiros — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 06:44:13 +0000

Before the election, Rudd should say promise to keep every Tasmanian forestry job, if not add a few more.

After the election, assuming he wins, Rudd should shut down the Tasmanian forestry industry.

This kind of thing worked for Prime Minister Howard, because he knew how to massage the message. It can work for Prime Minister Rudd.

Cynical, I hear you say?

You bet.

Whatever it takes.

By: tim

tim — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 04:22:32 +0000

The whole question of Bass and Braddon is a bit bizarre. Those seats were heading Howard’s way well before Latham’s forestry policy. They were the ideal targets for Howard’s trust me on interest rates campaign, equivalent in a real way to western sydney and south eastern qld. The forestry policy may have swung a handful, but not many, votes in those seats. That vote changer was not Latham’s policy, but the whole picture of Howard being embraced by unionists. And that did more damage on the mainland than in Tassie.

The circumstances at this election thus far seem to be very different indeed. I’d be very surprised if those seats didn’t go back to Labor, regardless of any forestry policies. O’Connor and friends are just running a scare campaign.