Ark Tribe
When the judges sit down to decide who should be Australian of the Year, they should turn their attention to a quietly-spoken rigger from Adelaide who last week showed how one person’s courage can make a difference.
Scientists, doctors, actors, singers, economists, entrepreneurs, sporting heroes and even the odd shonky businessman have won Australian of the Year. And - every year - you can mount a serious case that the honour should have been handed to someone else. But then again that’s sort of the point.
Australian of the Year isn’t about a unanimous choice for most deserving human in the country. It’s about starting a national discussion about who we are and what we value in others. So this is why I would like to see the next award handed to a type of Australian who has never taken the honour. An ordinary Aussie worker. Ark Tribe.
The improbably named Ark Tribe is on the verge of creating the first real schism between the Rudd Government and the union movement.
The knockabout building worker is in court in Adelaide today facing charges of refusing to answer questions to the Australian Building and Construction Commission, a charge that carries a maximum penalty of six months jail.
If convicted, Tribe will become the first trade unionist to be jailed since the 1960s. when Clarrie O’Shea was locked up for refusing to disclose internal union documents, sparking a general strike.
Continue reading "Tribal war between Gillard and the union movement" »
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Darryl Brazenall says:
The Cole inquisition should be seen for what it is and what it stands for :- Judge, Jury and Chief Executioner, just add a victim trying to do the right thing, attempting to protect his workmates, his family and himself from a potentially horrendous death or injury. How many of… Read more »
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Dan Murphy says:
It seems this Gillard lady’s not for the turning in the war on union thugs and flying pickets, although it seems she’s turning more into Maggie Thatcher each week. So is Labor going to jail a unionist for not telling the secret police what was said at a safety meeting?… Read more »
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