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Work Choices? - A Misnomer if there Ever Was One

As the Senate is set to pass the new IR laws today - debate having being truncated due to the Government, scandalously, gagging debate or applying the guillotine - Australia looks to 2006 with an industrial scene almost certain to create significant unrest.

To describe the legislation as Work Choices is downright misleading and deceptive - a breach of the Commonwealth Government's own Trade Practices Act. Apart from Howard and Andrews - and the ever pliant backbench agreeing to anything seemingly without dissent or voicing a contrary view to the Government line - almost all informed opinion has been critical of what the legislation will bring in its wake.

It has always been know that the large accounting and legal firms pay well - but in return expect a 25 hour day and 8 day week in return. Large companies are no different. As we head into 2006 consider this -

Mallesons, a major legal firm, allows for email feedback on its web site. It certainly would not have expected this email

"I am the fiancee of one of your lawyers and I would like to thank you for indirectly ruining my life and destroying my marriage before it even begins. I have not seen my fiancee for almost 6 months because your pathetic firm. Thank you so much. Inhumane bunch of #%*@#".

Welcome to Mr Howard's family-friendly legislation and work-place.....!!!!!

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