WorkChoice - Sensibly Explained

Anyone who reads either The Age or the Sydney Morning Herald should know columnist Ross Gittins. Gittins is an economist who, thankfully, writes in a style and in a straightforward and sensible way to unravel or explain the sometimes arcane or obscure side of economics.

So, today's article in the SMH on the WorkChoices legislation is not only worthwhile reading - but also highlights the effect of part of the new IR laws, which as Gittins rightly says, has had little air-play. Needless to say it makes a mockery of the oft-stated position of Howard and Andrews that workers won't be worse off - although both have steadfastly refused to guarantee that. Howard says trusts me. With his his track-record [remember no GST and core and non-core election promises?] that is rather hard to swallow!

Meanwhile, the SMH today also carries an article reporting on what the various welfare agencies say the outcome of the new legislation will have - in creating an underclass. One cannot help but ponder whether the Government will, now, listen to organisations like the Salvation Army and Vincent St de Paul Society and many others.

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