President's Report
Peter Usher - Presidents Report
Lurks and Perks Continue
With the release this week of the latest consumer price index (CPI) figures for the March 2011 quarter of 3.3% it would once again appear that ordinary Australian families are once again going to be compelled to make sacrifices to their already depleted living standards.
The Federal Government is blaming the increase in part on higher prices for fruit and vegetables caused by the Queensland floods, coupled with the continued high price of oil as the main factors for the higher than expected increase.
Ordinary Australians who are already struggling to pay absorbent electricity prices, increases in basic food and clothing items, may well be hit with increases in Mortgage and rental increases if there were to be any further interest rates.
These latest forecasts along with the Governments announcements on April the 19th that the Government intends to crack down on welfare cheats, reduce Medical research funding, along with other necessary social funding.
Whilst I do not believe that anyone would question the Government commitment to crack down on rorting the welfare system, I believe that there are other areas where spending cuts can be made before any reduction in funding for health, education and other much needed social projects.
The first area that should be explored is the continued political pensions, lurks and perks, for politicians who have superannuation benefits that ordinary Australian can only dream about, now is the time for the politicians to be subjected to the same rules and exclusions of all other taxpayers without exception.
I would doubt that there would be any politician of any persuasion prepared to propose these changes, however until such time as this occurs no Government can say that all avenues of expenditure have been explored.
Power to the people
Prior to the New South Wales State election the new Premier Mr Barry O’Farrell had much to say about the financial burden faced by families brought about by the continuing increases in electricity prices giving assurances he would do everything possible if elected to stem these increases.
On April the 19th Mr O’Farrell made a pledge to put a lid on power and said that the Government will control dividends paid to the Government by electricity companies in due course.
The latest proposed price increase of 18% from July a Recommendation from The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal of NSW (IPART) has given Mr O’Farrell an opportunity to scrap the increase as it is only a recommendation and does not have to be accepted by the Government.
We will wait to see if there is a difference between what is said when in opposition to what is done when in Government.
VALE - Tom Hannan
It was with regret and sadness when I was informed about the passing of Tom Hannan a former Organiser, State President, State Secretary, and Federal Secretary of the Australasian Meat Employees’ Union (AMIEU)
Tom was very passionate about the plight of the working class and devoted his life to improving the working conditions and wages of workers, he was held in high regard by those who knew him.
I first meet Tom whilst working at the T A Field Abattoir, Orange during one of his many country visits as an Organiser and we became good friends, he was always available to offer advice and help at all times first as a job delegate and later when I became an organiser for the Union.
After Tom retired in 2004 we would meet on occasions over coffee to discuss what was happening in the industry, and the continued hardships of the workers.
I consider myself very fortunate to have known Tom and more fortunate to have had him as a friend of mine and my family, he will be sadly missed.
To Tom’s family I send sincere condolences from myself and wife, Gillian.
Rest in Peace Friend
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