Thread: AWA,s Hang in there Kev- Its all a Howard Beat-up

try telling that to the people who were paying 17% on their home mortgage.

People are paying a higher percentage of the income on mortgages now than they ever have before.

How is our trade deficit going? Despite the resource boom, Australia still goes backwards every month. Banana Republic here we come.

So do I, from the left that is.

People should just accept that I'm right, well left. Bugger, now I'm confused.

Originally Posted by Poppa

I know of instances where people are employed for longer than 40 hours per week as casual employees (not permanent) and not paid any penalty rates. I personally was employed (some years ago now thank goodness - I have a strong aversion to work now ) for more than 40 hours a week with no penalty rates (sometimes as much as 80+ hours a week without penalty rates), but I never minded much because I was on a fair whack at the time.

I haven't worked in too many countries (Canada, USA, UK, Aus) but I have to say that what you said rings true. I have never seen so many workers that were off like they are in aus. I suspect there is going to be a big back lash here, people are realy struggling here. For the most part the rest of the "developed world" is trying to bring a certain level of civilization to the work place but here they appear to be going the opposite direction. I suspect this is because the governent thinks it needs to compete with countries like china where "slave labour" is the norm.

Originally Posted by Grunt

Bugger, now I'm confused.

I prefer you that way

Originally Posted by Toolin Around

the governent thinks it needs to compete with countries like china where "slave labour" is the norm.

Yep, bring it back. Slaves, children working in the mines, ah those were the good 'ol days.

Originally Posted by Grunt

We have had nearly 16 years of economic growth. The current government has been power for 11 years. When John Howard was the Treasurer he made a fair mess of it. There was a recession, high interest rates and high unemployment. The Hawke/Keating government implemented a lot of economic reform such as floating the dollar and the beginning the path down to free trade. 7 years of the Fraser/Howard government were a wasted opportunity in my book.

To say the Labor stuffed the economy is plainly untrue.

No Labor did stuff the economy there is no doubt in the world. A study of the economy shows that inflation went through the roof, unemployment simultaneously shot up, for the original incarnation of stagflation. It has taken 30 years to recover from Gough's ego and the labor belief that with the keys to treasury they had unlimited money to throw at all their pet ideas.

The former economic theory was that as inflation increased unemployment decreased well until Gough that is what happened.

Fraser was a leftie at heart, being born rich you can understand, he stymied and blocked Howards attempts to liberalise the economy. Then Hawke Keating did liberalise because there was no other option. Howard supported them from the opposition benches.

Howard became PM he has been a let down to me and many others like me I am sure for his massive give aways high taxation and the like but you can't have everything you want. He has always been a much better option than the opposition.

AWA's are about one thing only. The Unions no longer have a legislated place in the workplace. You can understand how upset they are that they had a special protection and free ride and now it has been taken away.

My own fear was as a small business owner seeing the IRC last year force unfair dismissal and redundancy payments etc upon small business. The risk of employing anyone and growing my business became massive. I could see my dreams dissappearing due to a judge feather bedding his own position.

It has always been Labor that did the economy and nation in because they have no love of our nation and it's best interests and always been the Liberal/Conservative parties that have had to dig it out of the muck.

Was always thus and always thus would be.

Studley

Originally Posted by Sturdee

I have recently become a victim of the WorkChoices policy of the Howard government.

No Peter, you've recently become a victim of the employee choices policy of an employer.

Whatever the situation, the government isn't to blame for the unreasonable attitude of your employer. I don't understand what it is that causes people to repay that kind of loyalty in such a way, but it isn't the government that's the cause.

Their foolishness has already cost them more, (and given you a better lifestyle with more free time and not having to deal with dopes every time you go in there!)

I haven't seen anything at all that makes that sort of behaviour compulsory.

Think about it. I don't want to pry, but what is so special about workchoices that made them think they needed you for more hours? Three hours a week and they gave you a pay cut?? What was their real motivation, I'll bet it wasn't political.

Cheers,

P

Hi

Originally Posted by Grunt

We have had nearly 16 years of economic growth.

You said it and isn't this a GOOD thing?

[quote] There was a recession, high interest rates and high unemployment. The Hawke/Keating government implemented a lot of economic reform such as floating the dollar and the beginning the path down to free trade.

To say the Labor stuffed the economy is plainly untrue.

Why, when...

The Hawke/Keating government implemented a lot of economic reform
There was a recession WE HAD TO HAVE, high interest rates and high unemployment.

You said it and isn't this a GOOD thing?

Yes, the Economy was not ruined by the Labor Government. We had a recession and we recovered from it during a Labor Government.

We had a recession during the Fraser/Howard Government. It wasn't until Hawke/Keating got into power did we recover from that one.

Labor did not ruin the economy. They caused a recession but so did the previous Liberal Government.

Whatever the situation, the government isn't to blame for the unreasonable attitude of your employer.

The WorkChoices policy makes it easier for Arsewipes like Peter's employer to treat employees with complete and utter disdain. If it wasn't for WorkChoices Peter would not have been sacked.

I don't like to get into political discussions. It's a bit like talking about death and dismemberment or burst sewer pipes whilst at the dinner table . I think all politicians are highly untrustworthy and generally believe that whilst any problems financial or otherwise are more than likely caused by political meddling any good fortune is just that. Something that through good fortune happens despite the worst efforts by our elected representatives. I've found that whilst it may be more comfortable or easy to work for someone the only person who comes close to giving me the hours and dollars that I want is me. Still too many hours and not enough dollars though.

Mick

Dear Mr Woodwork Forums

I didnt realise politics wasnt allowed on this forum

The heading is misleading!

Ah well what about religion ???

Just Kidding!!!

At the end of the day, with the resources boom, there is so much money running coming into the place it doesn't matter who runs the joint.
Like a business that got an open order for it's products, if the manager is good or bad it will make little difference. Things will keep going strong.
Anyone could run the economy at this stage and it would be ok.

Now what really counts is what happens when the orders stop ..
The day China stops ordering and we have to lean back onto out "other" income sources we will look back at this period and ask, what did we do to future proof our future ???

All the current laws provide are employer options for more people to get sacked when thing do turn sour.
The current gvt is doing nothing to make sure we have other incomes when the resources boom stops.

Nic

Very true Nic

The thing I have always been amazed at is how Costello has controlled the world economy.

Isnt it strange that the whole world economy (with a couple of exceptions) has been booming since Costello/Howard have been in control.

Mmmmmm think about it.

Originally Posted by nic

The current gvt is doing nothing to make sure we have other incomes when the resources boom stops.

Nic

Yeah, you are entitled to a good income, even if your employer is going broke.

It's not up to you to make your way through the world, the government is there to make sure you don't go without.

Originally Posted by bitingmidge

Think about it. I don't want to pry, but what is so special about workchoices that made them think they needed you for more hours? Three hours a week and they gave you a pay cut?? What was their real motivation, I'll bet it wasn't political.

Cheers,

P

Alas this interesting debate kept going whilst I went out dancing the night away so my reply is a bit out of order.

Midge, without going into specifics, " Workchoices" allowed them to do it. Reasons are that they extended the premises (and made a foolish move into another suburb as well that didn't work out) which was to be financed not by loans but by cashflow.

A recipe for disaster, even in a cashflow positive type of business where you pay immediately and bills only come in two months later.

In addition the consultants wanted a higher share of the fees they generated so that last July he forced all the office staff, except me, on to AWA's. Since then over half have left for greener pastures.

I was the last one, I don't have regrets, but the government " Workchoices" legislation allowed it to happen without compensation.

Most of my life I have been a predominant liberal / dlp voter , however I've voted labour a number of times.

I voted for Gough so we would get out of that dirty little Asian war the libs inflicted upon us, I've voted against Kennet to get rid of that arrogant ******, and now as they affected my hip pocket I will vote against the libs.

BTW the argument about labour and high interest rates have never meant a damn to me, as I have never had to borrow to get where I am. I have always paid cash on the knocker for everything, part of my puritan upbringing to always live within your means.


Peter.