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May 15th, 2012 
FAKE NEWS for the Zionist agenda <!–
The Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, has appealed to union leaders to help her Government win the battle for public support of the carbon tax. She acknowledged to delegates at the ACTU Congress in Sydney, that some workers were anxious about the changes but she told them there was nothing to fear from a price on carbon.
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MARK COLVIN: The Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, has appealed to union leaders to help her Government win the battle for public support of the carbon tax.
She acknowledged to delegates at the ACTU Congress in Sydney, that some workers were anxious about the changes.
But she told them there was nothing to fear from a price on carbon.
The union movement is already facing its own challenges, courtesy of the scandal that has engulfed the HSU (Health Services Union).
Simon Cullen is at the ACTU Congress, and filed this report.
SIMON CULLEN: Julia Gillard was given a standing ovation as she rose to speak to union delegates.
COMPERE: The Prime Minister, Julia Gillard.
(Applause and music)
SIMON CULLEN: And the feeling was mutual.
JULIA GILLARD: The great Australian trade union movement, the trade union movement that gave birth to our political party; it’s good to be home with you.
SIMON CULLEN: Julia Gillard says her admiration for the work of trade unions began at an early age, thanks to her parents.
JULIA GILLARD: They taught me to always, always, always carry your union membership card. They taught me the value of trade unionism.
(Applause)
SIMON CULLEN: But she’s acknowledged that both unions and the Labor party are facing challenging times.
Her own Government has come under sustained pressure over the introduction of a carbon tax, that’s now less than two months away.
JULIA GILLARD: Whilst I’ll never succumb to government by opinion polls, I can read the opinion polls and I’m under no illusions about the depths and challenges that confront our Government.
I understand that. I get that.
SIMON CULLEN: The Prime Minister blames the scare campaign coming from the Opposition.
JULIA GILLARD: Your members have been told that their cost of living is going to sky rocket, and their jobs are going to be at risk on the 1st of July when carbon pricing comes in.
And today I want to say through you, to your members, to the Australian people, that there is nothing to fear when carbon pricing starts. Please tell your members that there is nothing to fear; that we will keep working with them.
SIMON CULLEN: But unions have their own troubles to deal with. The ACTU Congress has been overshadowed in part by problems within the scandal-plagued Health Services Union.
JULIA GILLARD: Instead of the sole focus of those union officials being on benefiting those members, those members have been let down. That disgusts me and I know that it disgusts you too.
DAVE OLIVER: I share the anger that’s been expressed today when I read the report of the Fair Work Australia into the HSU National Office last week.
SIMON CULLEN: Dave Oliver is the new secretary of the ACTU.
DAVE OLIVER: I’m not going to tolerate bad governance in our movement that sees our members’ money misused by individuals and I’ll be moving a resolution tomorrow to set standards to protect our members’ money from anyone who wants to break the law.
(Applause)
SIMON CULLEN: His push for new standards of accountability within the union movement has the strong backing of the Prime Minister.
JULIA GILLARD: We will work together for new reforms on transparency and new, stiffer penalties that will be our way of saying loudly and proudly that what has happened here is not good enough.
SIMON CULLEN: Key union figure, Paul Howes, is also pushing for change; arguing that without tougher rules, there’s the possibility of another HSU-style scandal and that would have a devastating blow on the union movement.
PAUL HOWES: There is a positive to this; I’m actually pleased that we know that this happened because it’s the lesson for us is making sure it never happens again and never allowing a couple of disgusting individuals, get away with stealing money out of the pockets of hard working, low paid health workers or any other union members in this country.
SIMON CULLEN: The problems in the Health Services Union have prompted debate about the future of the broader union movement.
Dave Oliver used his first speech as secretary of the ACTU to flag plans for a new campaigning unit within the organisation to try to boost membership and to renew faith with its support base.
DAVE OLIVER: We can’t just defend our conditions in our unionised workplaces. We have to make sure workers who haven’t yet joined understand the benefits and fight for our rights together.
And if we harness this and we work collectively, then the union movement will grow and continue delivering a better life for working people in this country.
MARK COLVIN: The secretary of the ACTU, Dave Oliver.
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