The Guardian 6 December, 2006
November 30:
National Day of Union and Community Action
An estimated 275,000 people rallied at more than 300 venues across Australia and were
united in their determination to see the Howard Government's anti-union laws ripped up and
an alternative which protects trade union rights and workers in its place. The only way of
doing that is to throw out the Howard Government at the federal elections next year. Hence
the main slogan became "your rights at work worth fighting and voting for" — the change
being the addition of the words "and voting".
Trade unions were well represented in large contingents easily identified by their union t-shirts and
flags. The Labor Party and the Greens also had a strong presence at many of the rallies. The
Communist Party of Australia had stalls and distributed a special 8-page IR issue of The
Guardian and a leaflet with proposals to replace WorkChoices. They were well received. One
of the most important and promising features of the rallies the strength and breadth of the unity of
those taking part, regardless of their political outlook. The actions were peaceful with police
standing back and facilitating the marches. They clearly had the support of state Labor
governments.
The capital cities not surprisingly had the largest turn-outs: Melbourne 60,000, CBD Sydney
40,000, Adelaide 30,000, Perth 7000-8000, Darwin 2500, Brisbane 20,000 and Canberra 4000.
Thousands more took part in regional actions. Over 7000 people attended the Wollongong rally at
the local football stadium and then marched up the main street of Wollongong passing the local
Liberal Senators office and ending in the Wollongong Mall. In Newcastle close on 3000 rallied. In
regional Queensland 25,000.
The main events at the Melbourne Cricket Ground were watched on screens at the other rallies,
many of which also had local speakers and marched through the streets giving a stronger public
appearance. In some States Labor Premiers were amongst the speakers. High prominence was
given to the 107 WA rail tunnel workers, members of the CFMEU who face fines of $28,000 for
strike action.
Our Aim
"Our aim is to win the support of the Australian people by telling them the facts. After the
last 18 months or so we've come a long way to achieving that goal. The majority of
Australians are opposed to the laws. We've won the support of important community
leaders. Labor, the Democrats and the Greens have given a commitment to get rid of the
laws. (cheers)
"Ours is a great cause and we have tremendous support from amongst Australian people.
Hundreds of thousands of people have gathered today to protest against the laws. By all of
us working together we will win this campaign." (cheers)
"In the lead-up to the election we will not only stand up for people we will ask people to vote
for change."
"Your rights at work are not just worth fighting for they are worth voting for."
Quotes from Greg Combet, Secretary of the ACTU.
Adelaide
Channel Seven's Adelaide news put the number attending last Thursday's rally in Elder Park at over 30,000.
Comedian Rod Quantock was the very lively MC for the protest. He introduced local Kaurna elder Auntie
Josie Agius who gave the crowd a welcome to country. SA Unions Secretary Janet Giles spoke to the crowd
about the need to unite and fight against the anti-worker onslaught unleashed by the Howard Government.
Unions and political parties were strongly represented in the crowd, showing their commitment to doing
away with WorkChoices. After watching a broadcast from the MCG of the proceedings in Melbourne, the
crowd marched through the city and gathered again at Rundle Park.
Brisbane
Around 25,000 unionists and community supporters turned up to Southbank and many thousands at other
locations across Queensland. This was despite massive intimidation from employers, who threatened workers
with dismissal and retaliation if they took part. There was a strong feeling of determination and solidarity at
the rally and were clearly identifiable with their coloured banners and T-shirts. Local Communist Party
members received a warm response when leafleting and were told it was great to see the Party was still in
existence.
Melbourne
A festive atmosphere at the People's Ground, the MCG, met impassioned speeches from political
and union leaders. A keynote address from Kim Beazley emphasised the ALP promise to rip up
John Howard's IR laws. ACTU Secretary Greg Combet and ACTU President Sharan Burrow
reminded the trade union movement that the battle against the IR Laws must continue in 2007,
Federal election year. The MCG crowd witnessed a rousing performance from great Australian
artists, Jimmy Barnes and Casey Donovan. Comedians Dave Hughes and Corinne Grant gave the
crowd plenty to laugh about. The Victorian Trades Hall Council organised a march from the MCG
into the City to the intersection of Swanston and Flinders Sts, where VTHC Secretary Brian Boyd,
reinforced the message that the battle to fight the IR laws must continue into 2007!
Perth
Around 3000 members of the CFMEU, MUA, AMWU and NTEU gathered for a warm-up rally at the
Perth Cultural Precinct in Northbridge to hear from union speakers, Chris Cain of the MUA, Kevin
Reynolds of the CFMEU, Jock Ferguson of the AMWU and Peter Stewart from the Christians for
Social Action. At the conclusion of the rally they marched to the Members Equity Stadium to join
4000-5000 more people at the main rally and Sky Channel broadcast from Melbourne. The wife of
one of the 107 Rail Tunnel workers — who face fines of $28,000 for taking industrial action over
workplace safety and the sacking of their delegate — was amongst the speakers. Other speakers
included the Secretary of Unions WA who called on the unions and community of Western
Australia to resist the laws and pointed to the need to vote John Howard and his government out of
office in the next federal elections.
Sydney
The largest rallies were at Belmore Park and Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour. Tens of thousands
of people watched the Melbourne Cricket Ground events on a big screen. Thousands more took
part at other venues around the city. Unions were positioned around the parks, each with its own
colourful t-shirt carrying a message of solidarity. Many individuals brought their own hand-made
placards with polite and not so polite messages to the Howard Government and its anti-union
WorkChoices legislation. They cheered, clapped, laughed and waved their union flags in response
to the speakers and other presentations on the big screen. The Belmore Park participants marched
down George St, to meet up with the others at Bridge St where they heard speeches.
Why we are here
Demonstrators speak to The Guardian in Sydney
"We are young, we are students and we know that it's the sort of stuff that we will be
subjected to once we get into the workforce — that's why we are here fighting for the young
people because we are the generation that is going to be affected by this
legislation."
Rose
John Howard wants to turn the nation into a working nation of working poor people with no
rights at work, tough wages and if you're broke you'll what your told. It's already affected
my wife, her casual loadings at work were lowered. There's no more permanent positions at
her employer. It is all casuals now.
Mick (CFMEU member)
"Protect my kids' rights, my rights, to protect it all, to stand up. It's ridiculous, we've had
enough."
Pat (ETU member)
"We've lost too much already, patients will suffer more and more of us will get out. The
hours are too long already, the wages are low. We cannot do what we should
now."
Marco — (Nursing Federation member)