WWII

Could it happen again - a second War on the Waterfront? Greg Combet, Labor candidate for Charlton, former ACTU secretary, a key strategist during the Patrick lockout and originator of the Rights at Work campaign warns MUA members not to be complacent

The wharves have always been a battleground. MUA members have surely had enough experience of that by now. It will be tough times ahead for wharfies and seafarers if Howard is re-elected. There'll be no guarantee of collective bargaining. Sooner or later companies, including stevedoring and shipping companies will be under immense pressure to widen the use of individual contracts and that will break down conditions.

We never anticipated that Howard would be so breathtakingly audacious in his attack in 1998 and there's nothing to say he would not have a go at it again.

At sea the government is content to see the maritime industry disappear over the horizon and be replaced by flag of convenience shipping. The Coalition Government has not taken one measure to ensure Australia-flagged vessels employ Australian seafarers on Australian ships. This government has done nothing to support Australian shipping.

People are fond of saying every election is more important than any other. But this one IS more important than any previous election. This election will be a referendum on industrial relations. If Howard wins there'll be no return, no safety net. Individual contracts will dominate and union organising will be tougher than it ever has been.

And while IR is the key issue this election, it's not the only issue. Health, education, training for young unemployed people, social security all have been wrecked under the 11 plus years of Coalition Government.

Don't believe Howard when he says we've got him to thank for the economic boom. I think the perception that the government has been a good economic manager is wrong. It's a poor manager because it has not invested in education, skills training and tertiary education. And the failure to invest in education has created a skills crisis which is now the biggest economic problem we have.

The government has also failed to provide leadership in nation building and infrastructure. Transport, water, electricity, and ports - the Howard Government has failed every step of the way. It's a huge economic problem. We've got 70-80 ships sitting off Newcastle every day and one of the biggest reasons is the Commonwealth track company has failed to upgrade a signal system since World War II. Someone has to stop the train and physically get out and do a signal test. It's preventing millions of tonnes of coal being exported. We really need a change of government to deal with this and so many other economic issues.

Climate change is another big issue. It's not just an environment issue, but also an economic issue. It will lead to inflation as food and land prices go up, economic upheaval, even refugees and war in the worst scenario.

We have to do everything we can to get Labor elected. MUA members should not be complacent; we need you out on the streets, handing out how to vote cards.

I'm proud to say maritime and mine workers are my two biggest supporters. I couldn't stand as candidate here without you. But over the next month, right up to election day, we need maritime workers and their families to get behind Labor candidates - in every electorate, especially the marginals.