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Coalition rebels on IR?Hey all, more turncoats are rumoured in the news. Barnaby Joyce, Senator elect from Queensland, said he could not support unfair dismissal provisions that extend exemptions from the law from firms with 20 employees to those with 100. Also Queensland State Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg has publicly criticised Prime Minister John Howard's industrial relations reforms. Although his reasons for his opposition are rather different: I'm absolutely opposed to the unitary industrial relation system. I think it's stupid (and) I think what it does is set up a booby trap for the future. When (federal Opposition Leader) Kim Beazley becomes Prime Minister, if he does, (and) Martin Ferguson becomes IR minister, you can imagine the disaster of actually then handing these particular powers to the Commonwealth Government. Oh well, as long as it continues to build it's all good. For non Queenslanders, Lawrence Springborg is in rather a similar position to Labor pre Latham. Absolutely no chance at State level.
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IR Rebels
It is good news that National Party Senator elect Barnaby Joyce might oppose the IR laws and the bi-partisan opposition to the laws in Qld by Beattie and Springborg is heartening.
However! I know I'm a cynical "something or other" but I can't help this gnawing feel that John Howard will turn all gracious and water down the IR laws (slightly) before too long.
People will then say that the new laws aren't so bad...at least not when compared to what was originally planned!
Howard (and others) have used this tactic before.
Perhaps I'm just being cynical...or it could be post traumatic shock from hearing on channel 7 this morning that Howard's popularity rating has risen.
Barnaby Joyce
Spot on