Maritime diary

By National Secretary Paddy Crumlin

The Australian government and their spy force ASIO have expelled young US teacher and peace activist Scott Parkin for not agreeing with what is happening in Iraq. I beg your pardon? At least he can take comfort that they didn't lock him up in Baxter Concentration Camp for a few months, just in case he didn't get the message.

You'd be better off being a foreign seafarer on a continuous voyage permit; then you could live permanently in Australia, pay no tax and ASIO wouldn't know who you are, where you're from or what you think. After all, there are only enough resources to check up on Australians - and the odd foreign civil rights supporter.

Telstra Rip Off

Black is white, night is day, crap smells like springtime and the sell off of Telstra is good for Australia. It's been a great development giving the Howard Government control of legislation in this country. It's like waking up with a hangover, bits and pieces of skin missing and a headache Sir Edmund Hillary couldn't scale. The only difference is the headache is likely to be a brain tumour.

Who could seriously consider that selling off a service that is essential to the quality of our personal, family and community life is in our interest. We live in an enormous country populated by very few people. A little really has to go a long way. We have all seen the revolution in communication technology from the phone with a dial and a wire, to the wall phone, to the extraordinary wireless inter-connectivity of modern life. We are literally online to whoever we want, anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day. This extraordinary revolution isn't going to run out of steam, so to speak. Who can seriously predict how much more sophisticated and effective communication will become?

So what does the Canberra dictatorship decide? What's the vision of that group of small business/big business, lawyers, consultants and entrepreneurs when confronted with this extraordinary opportunity to preserve the access of future generations of Australians to these wonderful miracles of modern technology in a long term, sustainable and economically viable manner? They've decided to sell it of course, so someone can make a quid out of us. They are dispersing a public asset to their own type of people so they can fatten their guts on our property. They're effectively selling the house we own so we can rent it back, saying don't worry we'll give you rent assistance until you forget you once owned it.

What next do you reckon? What about water, there must be a way someone can make a quid out of turning on a tap. And, there's still the lights - big chance there. What about the air we breathe - that might take a bit more thought and a few more ads to sell to the punters.

These rats aren't just sitting on their arses in parliament for three years; they're stuffing our country in a way that cannot be repaired. The future of the haves in this country looks rosy. Just make sure you're not one of the have-nots. And we're all looking on helplessly because too many of us bought their lies at the last ballot. For those that didn't, it's like having a hangover from someone else's drinking.

Mark the Merciless

While talking about blaming someone else for your problems, how's Mark Latham's form? Did he miss anyone, do you reckon? No doubt it's hard being a genius amongst imbeciles, so the least he can do is have a whinge. Who do you reckon he thinks he is - someone between Gandhi and Mike Tyson? If the people don't stand and follow in the face of great wisdom and leadership, you bite their ears off.

We invited him into our home, into National Conference, and treated him with the warmth and respect due to a Labor leader. We didn't ask for anything and only offered support. Mark, if you're listening, that's what it's about mate; working men and women in this country need more at the moment than destructive self justification from a person who aspired to afford them political support and protection. Get a grip son.

New minister, old formula

And what about the new Transport Minister, Warren Truss's form? He must be having a bit of trouble with the complexities of the new portfolio, so he reverted to the old formula. If the heat's on, kick a wharfie or a seafarer. So according to the great man, the waterfront is full of crooks and villains and there'll be a blood bath when the new security code is introduced.

He missed a couple of points, did Wazza. The code's about security, not whether or not someone had broken the law at some point of their personal development. And he's got more chance of finding an honest maritime worker than an honest politician in his government. We're doing our bit to assist in our national security and he's trying to shaft us. The only terrorism and corruption down here has been the goons and hoons that came down to steal our jobs in '98. And Minister, your mob trained them, fed them and set them up. And the bloke that you made Chairman of Telstra hired and employed them directly, and was rewarded accordingly. Now you've got him doing a bit more of your government's dirty work. Stick to the facts Mr Truss and you'll be a lot better off. So will our national security.

Corporate wars

The new battle of the waterfront - Toll versus Patrick. Isn't life grand.

When all the shots are fired and the smoke clears, who will be the victor? Probably not the shareholders of either company for starters. As for us, it's pretty simple - we want a collective agreement and the right to bargain. We want a fair go and will give one if we get it. We want to work, look after our families and live a quiet life, mostly. And we won't take kindly to any of our members there being in the crossfire. So don't expect us to pay for the game.