Editorial

Getting real about jobs

Getting real about jobs @box text intro = The federal government's decision to delay the gradual reduction of tariffs on cars was welcomed by the car companies with the claim that this would preserve jobs in the industry. But whether jobs will

Reconciliation requires justice

Reconciliation requires justice @box text intro = Prime Minister John Howard's offensive performance at last week's Reconciliation Convention in Melbourne made it abundantly clear, if it wasn't already, that his government is determined to

Justice means compensation

Justice means compensation @box text intro = The Howard government's response to the final report of the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from their Families is further evidence, if any was

Savings rebate: a bigger swindle than first appears

Savings rebate: a bigger swindle than first appears @box text intro = The Howard government has been badly embarrassed by the fiasco of its tax rebate for savings plan, announced in the budget on May 13. For somewhat different reasons, the ALP

A racist attack on native title

Editorial: A racist attack on native title A racist attack on native title In his much-featured and analysed criticism of the blatantly racist lies being spread by Pauline Hanson on May 8, PM John Howard said that Hanson was "wrong" to

Greenhouse outlaws

Greenhouse outlaws John Howard says Australia cannot afford to cut back on greenhouse gas emissions. He says this country is a "special case" — given our reliance on fossil fuels — and has even countenanced withdrawing from the climate

If you don't fight

If you don't fight ... The failure of the ACTU's living wage claim for a $20 "safety net" rise and a general 8.75% increase in award wage rates indicates the weakened state of the trade union movement today. In rejecting the ACTU's claim on

Hands off native title!

Hands off native title! @box text intro = Politics and law have come a long way since the High Court rejected terra nullius in the 1992 Mabo case. Given the distance travelled, it seems remarkable that the prime minister should threaten that

Selective conscience

Selective conscience The Senate is expected to vote on Monday night, after we have gone to press, on Victorian Liberal MP Kevin Andrews' bill to overturn the Northern Territory law permitting voluntary euthanasia. Indications are that the

One-way 'mutual obligation'

One-way 'mutual obligation' Federal cabinet last week approved plans to double the size of a work for the dole scheme announced by PM John Howard last month, and to introduce tougher penalties for young people who refuse to participate or drop

Close Lucas Heights!

Close Lucas Heights! The federal government should not allow nuclear waste to be reprocessed at the Lucas Heights nuclear facility south of Sydney. It should close it down altogether, and withdraw completely from the nuclear fuel cycle. The

One year too many

One year too many Sunday, as we have all been repeatedly reminded, was the first anniversary of the election of the Howard government. For big business and its media, it was an occasion for taking stock of what the government has "achieved", and