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July 14, 2005
A conference on industrial relations reform, but none of the speeches are online. So what was said?
I have found this op. ed. by Geroge Williams about the constitutional implications and the relevance to federalism. Williams talks about the legal hurdles in establishing a much-needed national industrial relations system without the co-operation of the states.
Presumably the government taxpayer-funded campaign on workplace reform will highlight the economic benefits of a deregulated labour market leading to paradise regained. Will this be similar to the NZ experience? Kenneth Davidson says that the:
"...economic impact of the NZ reforms was plummeting productivity as bosses switched from capital-intensive methods of production to cheaper labour and a growing skills deficit as the incentive for employers to invest in a disposable labour force diminished."
Does that not then that many working poor Australians will be left behind, as the country increasingly pursues wealth creation and prosperity through a self-regulating market, which works to privatize benefits and socialize harms.
Presumably, the St Vincent de Paul Society will have to continue sticking up for those on the margin as those on the drip feed regale us with tales of hope, faith, freedom and prosperity.
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Unitary systems breed inefficient outcomes whose appeal, and failing, is non-competition. I hope the government dictating Industrial Relations from its anti-federalist pedestool fails constitutionally. I would also prefer the States remove the ability for the federal government to tax for them too. But the States are as drunk on federal tax revenues as the Feds are.