Firstly, Ill answer Pauls post.
It's about choice, something the Union movement isn't clearly threatened by. Workers should have the choice to work whatever shits they want provided they are protected should they chose not to.
That is one way of looking at it. The other way is to see it as a conservative policy, and like most others, destroys our family values. How much time will you be able to spend with your family? Cost of living keeps going up, petrol, food, clothes, bills. It wont be a choice of, "oh, I want a bit of extra cash to splurge", it will be "I need to take the extra shifts so I can afford to live".
How race problems has Australia had over the last 11 years of a Howard Government? I can only remember Cronulla - a few red necks and some equally racist Lebanese. Now compare this to the rest of the world and Australia is one of the most harmonious places to live. It's simply wrong to suggest otherwise.
Really? Only Cronulla? You must have been living under a rock since 9/11. Do you know how much abuse the islamic communities recieved after 9/11? The Islamic college at Croydon had to be locked down numerous times, other times it was shut down and students/teachers sent home. Bomb/death threats against teachers/students, the school it self.
Women walking down the street wearing a headscarf abused and harassed.
The Mosque on torrens road had bomb threats etc. Threatening phone calls.
Harmonious place to live? Tell that to our indigenous people who aren't given a fair go unless they have money coming out their asses.
Go up to Coober Pedy and other such towns, see the prejudice against Aboriginals.
Clearly a sad case but are you suggesting a refugee who pays $10,000 to a people smuggler should be welcomed into Australia over some poor bastard in Somalia who has to wait his turn? Most refugees who make their own way to Australia are surely not in fear of their lives - they are hoping for a better life. Fair enough, but where is the justice in letting someone who arrives by boat take the place of someone who's patiently waiting for their turn?
Where did I make any suggestion they should be welcomed or even allowed into Australia?
Are you even aware the navy was not allowed to pick up the illegal's, that the Tampa had to come to their rescue? Guess who gives the military their orders?
Are you even aware that Howard LIED to the Australian people about the events that occured out there? Children over board ring any bells? He used scare mongering tactics to win that election.
I can't support the Iraq war but to gloat about it's failings is a bit much. Firstly, Australia would have contributed troops under a Labour government - our two greatest allies are Britain and the US. Secondly, Howard followed the same advice provided by the British LABOUR government. Finally, if there weren't so many cowardly politicans who ignored Iraq for years then maybe the conflict could have been avoided.
Can you tell me, what did Iraq do that warranted it being invaded ILLEGALLY, without United Nations Security Council authorisation for war?
Oh wait, they had WMD's right? Wrong. They had none. The United Nations inspectors confirmed this. The rest of the world knew this was the case. Dont tell me Paul, that you still believe it was about terroristzzzz and nuclear weapons? Even after the Howard government admitted it was about securing oil supplies?
Even though the first thing American troops did was go and secure the oil fields and plants?
Even though no WMD were found?
Even though it has been revealed that the Bush administration manipulated intelligence and lied in front of the world at the United Nations?
You honestly believe that Howard did not know?
Again, it's about choice. What would happen if a worker did want to work a late night shift? There'd be a picket line full of Union thugs calling him a 'scab' in no time!! I don't think anyone's anti union, what I object to is the bullying and intimidation and the lack of respect for individual choice when negotiating employment conditions. There has to be a balance...
See above.
Also, your against Union bullying and intimidation tactics. What about Liberal Party scare mongering and outright lies? Your right there has to be a balance. The Unions are the counter to the conservatives in this country. Why do you think the Howard governemnt did all it could to destroy the Union movement? He even targeted student councils at Universities, which actually provided services for students on campus.
That picket line comment is a bit melodramatic.
Now Crawf.
Don't you dare say my criticism is completely uneducated, when you and most of us on here can't remember what it was like when a Labor government was in charge or even experienced a real recession. From what I've heard and read (and ffs not the tiser), labor doesn't have the best track record - high unemployment, higher interest rates, not good for small businesses etc.... Though that is in the past and who knows maybe the new labor government will improve this country, but time will tell.
Crawf I lived through education funding cuts in primary school. Believe me, I noticed it and believe me, public schools suffered greatly.
High interest rates? Interest rates are not set by the government Crawf, seriously, stop paying so much attention to Liberal party propaganda. The Reserve Bank is independent of the government, and while domestic factors influence rates(obviously what the government does), so do external matters. Howard likes to take credit for things out of his control, like the mining boom, but he wouldn't take the credit for 6 interest rate rises in a row after he promised they wouldn't rise under his government.
It doesn't matter if we re-elected Howard or elected Rudd on Saturday, interest rates will go up again.
Our economy will also remain strong, regardless of who is in government. The mining boom will ensure this. China's growth isn't going to slow any time soon. There's a stack load of mines in SA that will in the next half a decade become operational. This will further push our economy up. Liberal or Labor, it makes no difference. China's growth, does.
Don't be taken in by cheap Liberal propaganda.
Big Deal?!, maybe you might have time to do your shopping before 5pm, but quite allot of retail workers have to work behind 5pm regardless if the store is closed.
And for gods sack, this is already in place right across regional SA and interstate (accept Perth). It’s convenient and it’s the 21st century
Its called a weekend. Retail workers have them, they also have days off Crawf. You prioritise your time. Its part of growing up. If they cant hack it and cant manage their time, then they should find another career in another industry.
Majority of them have to close 5pm.
Slave labour? lol, mate clearly you have no idea. Getting payed double time is not slave labour and people shouldn't be forced to work those hours but have a choice if they want to.
There's a Coles, Woolworths and Foodland near my house, and all stay open till 7 on weekdays.
As for your comment about me not having any idea, I seem to be able to form my own opinion, come to my own conclusions, think for my self, where as your every post is a repeat of what has been said on the tv or what someone above has just posted. I often read posts here and on SSC, and think, hmm, interesting, then read your posts, and think to my self, didn't i just read that a second ago...
I never said the department stores
, Well 24/7 supermarkets aren't unique, they have been around for ages interstate. Its convenient if you’re a bit hungry, ran out of something or just knocked of from work etc... . I'm not saying having all supermarkets open 24/7 or midnight (like in Victoria) but have a few of them.
Are you talking about convinience stores or supermarkets now?
What's wrong with the mini-marts in service stations like BP? They have everything basically.
Sure, its a little more expensive, but while your sitting here bagging the Unions for a lack of 24/7 shopping hours, sit and think why our wages haven't kept up with the rises in cost of living in the last 11 years.
If its such a bad thing 24/7 supermarkets, then why the hell have so many supermarkets interstate have gone 24/7 and most have had positive results. Again I don't think all supermarkets should go 24/7 in Adelaide, but have a few around the CBD and suburbs.
I do not agree people should be forced to work those hours, but have a choice and get double payed. There's downsides to everything in life, they were downsides to shops being allowed to open on sundays and weeknight trading though many people would say its been a success.
Rev let me guess, did you support weeknight and sunday trading?
We all claim we want Adelaide to be a vibrant and exciting destination, though our current trading laws aren't going to make our city that.
Who said it's a bad thing.
Your argument that they have it interstate, so we must have it, is lame and makes no sense at all. It is without basis.
I actually think longer trading hours, especially during the summer at least, would be a good thing. Not only for our selves, but for tourists too. Although I think the whole "omg tourists come to our city and find it shut" is a bit overblown.
But I'm not seeing any concise and strong argument from you as to why it should happen, just that other states have it, so we should copy them.
Put up a valid argument for a change, without repeating what others have said.