QLD: 35,000 march against IR laws
A huge turnout to the Labour Day march in Brisbane this year show the extent of Middle Australia’s rejection of John Howard’s punitive IR laws.
Date: 30 May 2006
Brisbane's huge Labour Day march
John Howard’s radical attack on the working rights of Australians has brought a record number of workers to the streets, with over 35,000 marching in Brisbane on this year’s Labour Day.
Labor Party members were out in force to show their solidarity and members from many of Brisbane’s Labor branches and groups, and members of parliament, both past and present, were there to help make the march a clear demonstration of labour principles.
The march was led by Federal Opposition leader Kim Beazley and Premier Peter Beattie and snaked its way through the CBD to the RNA Showgrounds in Fortitude Valley. The march took over two hours to walk and was so big that some marchers finished before others had even started.
Opposition Leader Kim Beazley told the huge crowd that the best way to get rid of John Howard’s draconian laws was at the ballot box. He said:
“I give this pledge and undertaking that I’m going to rip up these industrial relations laws in 18 months time when we are elected.”
A fair go
Premier Beattie said he was delighted with the size of the turnout and said it sent a clear message to the federal government. He said:
“It was so important that we get a record crowd here today to send a clear message to John Howard and his government that workers in this country want a fair go.”
Ironically Labour Day 2006 is also the day that the Fair Pay Commission came into effect commencing the process for wage reduction and income inequality.
The next federal election is in 18 months and is the next chance to get rid of this attack on workers’ basic rights.
NOTE: For further news from the Queensland ALP branch, visit: http://www.qld.alp.org.au/
