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Mr PAUL McLEAY (Heathcote) [5.00 p.m.]: I wish to inform the House of the celebrations I attended last Friday evening for the Annual South Coast Labour Council May Day Celebration. I am sure that members of the House are aware that May Day is an ancient celebration associated with various festivities. Since 1889 it has been co-opted by many as an international celebration of international workers' rights. The South Coast Labour Council has a proud tradition of supporting workers and participating in local, regional, national and international industrial activities. Many people who live in the southern region are very proud of that industrial heritage. When the former Labor Council of New South Wales changed its name to Unions NSW at the end of last year, the South Coast Labour Council retained its name to honour its heritage.
This year's Labour Day function at the Hellenic Club, Figtree, which is near Wollongong, was attended by many South Coast Labor activists, union officials and peace activists. Although the secretary, Arthur Rorris, was unable to attend, I was pleased to note the presence at my table of Andy Gillespie, who represented the Australian Workers Union, and parliamentary colleagues Sharon Bird, the member for Cunningham, and Jennie George, the member for Throsby. Andy Gillespie is a former president of the Australian Council of Trade Unions [ACTU]. It was also a pleasure to see former local members of Parliament such as Stuart West and Col Markham at the function. The guest speaker was a living legend of the Illawarra, Freddie Moore, who gave a great speech about the history of communism and socialism in the region and their relevance in Australia's modern society. I very proudly inform the House that last year I was awarded life membership of the Public Service Association, which also was represented at the function. We were all thoroughly entertained by the Illawarra Union Choir.
When I think of May Day and its relevance to modern society I am reminded of the comments of John Robertson, the secretary of Unions NSW, at last year's Labour Day dinner. There has not been much discussion about factions in this House this week, but it is sometimes said that there are two groups within the labour movement: some groups that support May Day, and others that support Labour Day. Labour Day marks the anniversary of the eight-hour week. At last year's Labour Day dinner, John Robertson said:
This Labour Day is of special relevance because we are entering a period where—with control of both houses of Federal Parliament—the Howard Government is setting out to fundamentally change the industrial relations system.
Behind the benign words like 'flexibility' and 'choice' the Howard agenda, at its heart, is an attempt to shift work relations from a set of rules that apply to all employees, to a series of individual relationships.
One can understand the logic—in the name of competition —both economic and political—'freeing' employers of the union movement that makes a lot of sense.
But I believe it is a misguided approach, that fundamentally misunderstand the history, and very nature of trade unionism—the collective expression of working people.
As 1 July approaches I often think about the point he made. A good deal of debate is taking place about where unions will be placed and what working people will be faced with under the new Howard regime which will commence on 1 July. I encourage the Howard Government to take stock of its position and not be afraid of the unions or collective bargaining. The Howard Government should not be afraid of having a rigorous and comprehensive set of industrial conditions and employment standards. The Prime Minister should resist being driven by ideological obsessions that concentrate on simplification because, when it comes to people's working rights and standards of living, a simplified approach will prove to be inadequate. Such matters need time and careful consideration. The union movement has proudly defended that approach.