Joe Hockey greeted by unions protest
11 October 2007
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Angelo addresses the demonstration
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Over 70 protesters from the NSW Teachers Federation, Public Service Association, Transport Workers Union and concerned members of the community chanted 'WorkChoices, No Choices' as Federal Minister for Industrial Relations, Joe Hockey, arrived at Ultimo TAFE this morning to launch an online package aimed at young workers for the Workplace Authority.
The demonstration was aimed at drawing attention to the adverse impact which WorkChoices has had on TAFE students; the failure of the Federal government to properly fund TAFE in the midst of a skills crisis and its proposals to force workplace changes in TAFE if re-elected.
Angelo Gavrielatos, Deputy President of the Teachers Federation, and Greens Senator, Kerry Nettle, addressed the demonstration. Angelo said:
"Today, in particular, given yet another announcement by John Howard on Australian history, let history record that the Howard government introduced the most draconian industrial relations laws ever seen in this country, which have first and most acutely affected young people, women and unskilled workers.
As well, let history record that the Howard government reduced funding to TAFE by 26%, which has seen hundreds of thousands of people turned away from TAFE colleges, resulting in a skills crisis across the nation.
Finally, let history record that, courtesy of the Howard government, Australia is now ranked third last of all OECD nations when it comes to public expenditure on education."
It is hoped that history will next record the defeat of the Howard government at the Federal election.
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