WorkChoices more about class war than economics

WorkChoices more about class war than economics

Ross Gittins
Economics Editor
21 November 2005

http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/workchoices-class-war/2005/11/20/1132421548493.html

Whenever anyone says the rich don't pay enough tax or wants to cut back his generous grants to top private schools, John Howard always accuses them of trying to take us back to the bad old, long-gone days of class conflict.

But, though it's had remarkably little acknowledgment from commentators, his own industrial relations changes are an undisguised assault on the Liberal Party's traditional class enemies: the unions, unionised workers and workers generally.

By hitting so hard at the long-hated union movement, Mr Howard is also striking a blow against his political opponents of the past 30 years, the Labor Party. This consequence has escaped many people; you can be sure it hasn't escaped the most successful - and thus most carefully calculating - politician of his generation.

And it didn't escape Senator Andrew Murray of the Democrats: "From Coalition questions [at the Senate inquiry into the WorkChoices bill] it has been obvious there is a political motive in play. It is apparent that the bill will disadvantage the ALP, the Coalition's main competitor. "

There are several elements of the bill that will ultimately weaken the union movement and quite possibly see a decline in membership. Given that unions are one of the ALP's largest donors, reduction in union membership will impact financially on the ALP," he said.

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