There was a small piece in the print version of the Herald last week, that should have set alarm bells ringing again throughout the country. Joe Tripodi, the NSW Minister for roads reluctantly agreed to the funding proposed for the Federal Auslink Road and Rail Agreement. The cause for alarm? The construction that utilises the funding must comply with the Federal industrial relations conditions! It disgusts me that this government gets away with blatant blackmail, again. First the tertiary sector, now this insidious piece of work. I am still surprised this whole new arrangement has not had more press.

Tying funding to the implementation of IR reforms was not part of the election mandate. I hope it bites them on the arse, hard. From a personal point of view, the new legislation will have very little effect on my life. It's just when people want child care, or affordable education or a decent retirement, there will be a big division; Have and have nots. When some of the electorate have kids working casually on the minimum wage with stripped conditions, then will they (belatedly) think about the impact of IR reform? Probably not, they'll have shiny signs to look at instead:

http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/big-signs-to-give-thanks-for-road-funds/2005/10/01/1127804697533.html