Orwellian language

By NSW Teachers Federation

Unions NSW has condemned the Federal Government's "continuing use of Orwellian language" to describe its proposed changes to industrial relations legislation.

Unions NSW's condemnation followed a letter from the NSW Local Government, Clerical, Administrative, Energy, Airlines and Utilities Union.

Ross Gittins wrote in the Sydney Morning Herald on 1 June 2005:

"When I saw that the new minimum wage-fixing body is to be called the Australian Fair Pay Commission I was reminded of the Democratic Republic of Middle Mongolia. If they have to put "democratic" in their name it means they're not."

Union Executive President Michael Want wrote:

"This is exactly what the Government has been doing for some considerable time, naming legislation as though it is fair when it is not. It is misleading and immoral."

Mr Want continued: "The Prime Minister is going to establish the Australian Fair Pay Commission! What is fair about it if the intention is to slow the increase to the minimum wage now $467.20 pw. Mr Howard and his Minister are on record as opposing every National Wage claim by the ACTU since 1996. As you are aware the AIRC [Australian Industrial Relations Commission] awarded $44.00 pw over that period more than the Government offered. In addition [Employment and Workplace Relations] Minister [Kevin] Andrews' claim in an article that "It (AIRC) had raised minimum wages by as much as $70.00 more than it should have over the Government's term."

Mr Want pointed out that the Government has introduced the:

• Better Bargaining Bill 2002
• Improved Remedies for Unprotected Action Bill 2002
• Simplifying Agreement Making Bill 2001
• Building and Construction Industry Improvement Bill
• Fair Dismissal Reform Bill 2004
• Small Business Employment Protection Bill 2004

For further information

June 2005 contents