First they came for the Jews
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for the Communists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for me
and there was no one left
to speak out for me. - Neimiller

I copied and pasted this on the 22/10 when Fuehrer Howard had announced his double-whammy attack on workers and terrorists (read: Muslims)
Typical wedging.

Whilst this attack on the workers has been playing out, I'm yet to hear one coherent & backed up argument on how the changes to the IR laws are actually going to improve things. I tend to agree with those about the 'Race to the bottom' in terms of wages. The market does not solve every problem.

What is the bigger picture here? What is Howard really trying to achieve?

• Is the bigger picture designed to reduce wages for more competive exports?
• Is the bigger picture to delineate further between employer/employee in the best tradition of conservative philosophy?
• Is the bigger picture simply that Howard's biggest contributors ARE employers and he is simply looking after his 'base'?

Lets be honest, to try something that pisses off so many of the Nouveau Liberal voters like this can only be achieved with a weak opposition. History will show Howard as an excellent politician, but a poor leader. History will show Howard got through the things he really wanted. It will also show that there wasn't anyone of note to stop him either.