Meeting held : 03 September 1998
Chair of Meeting: The President, Com. J. Whelan
LABOR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
LABOR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
MEETING HELD 3RD SEPTEMBER, 1998 IN THE
TRADES HALL AUDITORIUM
AT 4 GOULBURN STREET, SYDNEY, AT 6.08 P.M.
PRESENT:- M. Costa (Secretary), J. Robertson (Assistant Secretary), M. Lennon, N. Steer (Executive Officers).
The Secretary, Com. M. Costa, moved:-
"That the minutes as circulated be received."
Com. C. Hodges seconded.
CARRIED
The Secretary, Com. M. Costa, moved:-
"That the minutes as circulated be adopted."
Com. B. Robson seconded.
CARRIED
CREDENTIALS:-
For this evening's meeting:
From The Australian Services Union, New South Wales Clerical and Administrative Branch - appointing F. Hancock, P. Sekhon.
From New South Wales Nurses' Association - appointing S. Shean, D. Wilcox in place of M. Neilson, J. Taylor.
From The Textile Clothing & Footwear Union of Australia - appointing P. Jones in place of M. Brown.
Moved and seconded:-
"That the credentials be received
and the delegates welcomed."
APOLOGIES:
Apologies were received and accepted from: G. Gregory, G. Donnelly, G. Dwyer, J. Merchant, J. Garrett, M. Ellery. B. King.
GUEST SPEAKER:
The President, Com. J. Whelan, advised delegates that The Hon. Michael Lee, MP, Shadow Minister for Health, would be tonight's guest speaker and invited Com. Lee to address delegates.
Com. Lee spoke on the impact a GST would have on health products and the implications for users of those products. He also highlighted the additional costs to daily consumables such as milk, butter, bread, etc.
Com. Lee indicated, however, that the election should be focused on more than just the GST as there were other issues that would have an affect on the future of Australia, including health. He advised that the Liberal's subsidies for health funds will only go to the wealthy and were not targeted to where they were needed most. He said one of the major problems confronting the health system was the need for more federal funding and the Australian Labor Party was proposing an additional $500 million per year to assist in public health.
Com. Lee further indicated that the Government was deliberately undermining Medicare as the Prime Minister believed that it discourages people from taking out private health insurance.
Com. Lee thanked Council for the opportunity to address delegates tonight.
Com. Sandra Moait, from the NSW Nurses Association, spoke in support and asked a question of Com. Lee:
"What is the ALP's position on aged care and potential changes?"
Com. Lee advised that the ALP was committed to abolishing the annual fees and daily fees for aged care introduced by the Liberal/National party Government.
Com. R. Coombs spoke briefly in support of the ALP health policy.
In moving a vote of thanks to Com. Lee for his address to Council tonight, the Secretary, Com. M. Costa, indicated that it was clear that there was a stark difference between the policies of the Conservatives and those of the ALP, not only in regards to tax but also on the issue of health.
Com. M. Want seconded.
CARRIED BY ACCLAMATION
EXECUTIVE BUSINESS
CORRESPONDENCE
1. From The Hon. J.W. Shaw, QC, MLC, Attorney General and Minister for Industrial Relations - thanking Labor Council for drawing concerns to his attention concerning the status of the Anti-Discrimination Amendment (Pregnancy and Carers' Responsibilities) Bill. The Attorney General said the Government was still developing the Bill, and Labor Council's request to include private educational authorities within a prohibition against discrimination in employment on the basis of carers' responsibilities, was being actively considered.
Com. Costa moved Executive Recommendation:
"That the correspondence be received and circulated to relevant affiliates for their information."
Com. B. Sexton seconded.
CARRIED
2. From the Transport Workers' Union of Australia - advising Council that the Union was involved in raising money, through a trust fund, for the family of truck driver Mark Evans, who was tragically killed when a rock was thrown from an overpass on the M5. The Union requested that Labor Council advise affiliates of the establishment of this fund and sought the support of all affiliates. The Union congratulated the State Government and Minister for Transport, The Hon. Carl Scully, MP, for its action in moving quickly to screen all freeway overpasses in the state of New South Wales.
Com. Costa moved Executive Recommendation:
"That the correspondence be received and Labor Council circulate details of the fund to all affiliates seeking their support."
Com. A. Sheldon seconded and spoke to the resolution.
CARRIED
3. From the Construction Forestry Mining & Energy Union, Construction & General Division - requesting Labor Council convene a meeting with State Transit Authority Chief Executive Officer, Mr John Stott, and the CFMEU, CEPU (Electrical Division) and AMWU on behalf of their members employed at Balmain Ferries Maintenance Centre. The Union said there was a need for State Transit to outline its intentions in relation to the ongoing future of the Balmain Ferries Maintenance Centre and to discuss the concerns of union members.
Com. Costa moved Executive Recommendation:
"That the correspondence be received and Labor Council arrange a meeting of affiliates with members employed at the Balmain Ferries Maintenance Centre."
Com. B. Riordan seconded.
CARRIED
4. From the New South Wales Treasury, Office of Financial Management Commercial Sector Division - seeking Labor Council's nomination for a director on the Board of NSW Lotteries Corporation. The Treasury stated the term of the current appointed nominee, Ms Janet Good, had expired on 24 September, 1998.
Com. Costa moved Executive Recommendation:
"That the correspondence be received and Labor Council renominate Ms Janet Good."
Com. P. McLeay seconded.
CARRIED
5. From the Electrical Trades Union of Australia, NSW Branch - advising Council that major construction work was being planned for both the Coffs Harbour and Manning Hospitals in the near future. The Union sought the assistance of Council in negotiating appropriate site agreements, for the hospitals, for the benefit of all affiliates.
Com. Costa moved Executive Recommendation:
"That the correspondence be received and Labor Council arrange a meeting of building and construction unions to consider this matter."
Com. W. Wooldridge seconded.
CARRIED
6. From the Communications Electrical Plumbing Union, NSW Postal & Telecommunications Branch - expressing grave concern about the appointment of ex-NFF President Donald McGauchie, by the Howard Government, to the Board of Telstra. The Union advised that it publicly raised objections to the announcement of Mr McGauchie's appointment and said the government indicated one of the reasons he was appointed to the Board was because "Mr McGauchie's achievements in the waterfront dispute were not appreciated and he deserved credit."
The CEPU stated it was a horrendous reflection of this Government that it is quite happy to reward individuals whose most notable contribution to public life was their participation in schemes that lead to the sacking of ordinary Australians. The Union requested Labor Council call on the Prime Minister to review this deplorable appointment.
Com. Costa moved Executive Recommendation:
"That the correspondence be received and Labor Council call on the Prime Minister, The Hon. J Howard, MP, to review the appointment of Mr McGauchie."
Com. R. Cumbo seconded.
CARRIED
7. From the Australian Services Union, NSW Clerical & Administrative Branch - advising that today Pauline Hanson had announced One Nation's proposed tax package which included a 2% consumption tax and the removal of all income tax provisions currently applying. The Union said that this package was more than just a hoax being played on the Australia people, it was both unrealistic and a proposition that would do nothing other than to ensure Australia became an economic laughing stock world-wide. The Union congratulated Kim Beazley and his parliamentary colleagues on the development of the Labor Party's proposal for tax reform and said it was the only reform that would deliver to working people in Australia.
Com. Costa moved Executive recommendation:
"That the correspondence be received and One Nation condemned for its tax package which is an absolutely appalling proposition and economically irresponsible."
Com. M. Want seconded.
CARRIED
REPORT:
1. PRESENTATION OF ETU CHEQUE TO THE NUW FAMILY SUPPORT FUND
The Secretary, Com. M. Costa, presented a cheque for $5,000 from the Electrical Trades Union to the National Union of Workers Family Support Fund.
Com. A. Joseph in accepting the cheque gave an update of the current situation in the dispute and thanked the ETU for their assistance. He advised that work had resumed after Justice Tony North's order and the Company's failed attempt to have the order quashed. He further advised that the security guards that had been engaged by the Company during the strike were now located inside the warehouse where the employees were working.
The Secretary, Com. M. Costa, moved:
"That the report be received."
Com. B. Robson seconded.
CARRIED
The Secretary, Com. M. Costa, moved:
"That the report be adopted."
Com. R. Collison seconded.
CARRIED
ANNOUNCEMENT:
The Secretary, Com. M. Costa, advised all affiliates that as a result of the Federal Election taking place on Saturday, 3rd October, 1998, there would be no Labor Council meetings held on either Thursday, 24th September or Thursday, 1st October, 1998.
Labor Council would adjourn at the end of the meeting on Thursday, 17th September, 1998, and resume on Thursday, 8th October, 1998.
COUNCIL ADJOURNED AT 6.50 PM
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