Editors: Margaret Hinchey Marie Butcher
margaret@lifequestoz.net mbutcher@mercy.org.au
Dear Reader,
We aim to get MAJic out once a month. In between you can access what is happening in
the Justice World through http://www.ccjpoz.org/ or http://www.lifequestoz.net/ by going
into urgent action.
CONTENT:
· Did you know?
· Hiroshima Never Again: March Rally Saturday 6 August
· CCJP Sunday Seminar
· Mercy Global Concern
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DID YOU KNOW? http://www.ccjpoz.org/did_you_know.htm
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS REFORMS
The Treasurer Peter Costello wants to abolish unfair dismissal protection for all workers rather than just those who
work for companies with fewer than 100 employees. That means all businesses can dismiss workers unfairly, not
just small businesses!
Mr Costello also said on Southern Cross Radio (27/7/05) that the Federal government's industrial relations overhaul
will allow workers to trade their lunch breaks for extra money or shorter hours.The proposed Industrial Relations Reforms
for many workers take away weekend, shift and public holiday rates; overtime; redundancy pay; allowances; and casual
loadings. All this will put even more stress on struggling families.
The Church has consistently supported workers as the following sample of quotes from
Catholic Social Teaching illustrate.
“The beginning, the subject and the goal of all social institutions is and must be the human person”.
A Call to Action #14
Above all we must remember the priority of labor over capital: labor is the cause of production;
capital, or the means of production, is its mere instrument or tool.
On Human Work #12
In the first place the worker must be paid a wage sufficient to support him and his family.
The Fortieth Year #71
We consider it our duty to reaffirm that the remuneration of work is not something that can be left to the laws of
the marketplace; nor should it be a decision left to the will of the more powerful. It must be determined in accordance
with justice and equity which means that workers must be paid a wage that allows them to lead a truly human life.
If the organization and structure of economic life be such that the human dignity of workers is compromised, or
their sense of responsibility is weakened, or their freedom of action is removed, then we judge such an economic
order to be unjust even though it produces a vast amount of goods whose distribution conforms to the norms of
justice and equity.
Mother and Teacher
It is right to struggle against an unjust economic system that does not uphold the priority of the human being over
capital and land.
The Hundredth Year #35
Among the most basic rights of the human person is to be numbered the right of freely founding unions for working
people. They should be able to truly represent them and to contribute to the organizing of economic life in the right
way. Included is the right of freely taking part in the activity of these unions without risk of reprisal.
The Church in the Modern World #68
One of the methods used by unions is the strike or work stoppage – a means that is recognized by Catholic social
teaching as legitimate under the proper conditions and within proper limits. Workers should be assured of the right
to strike without fear of penalty.
On Human Work #20
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The Last Weekend
7 August, 2005 RIGHT TO WORK CAMPAIGN
Come and enjoy your right to spend time with your family before John Howard takes it away - with our free family day out...
11am - 2:30pm Sunday August 7th 2005
The Overflow Sydney Olympic Park
Featuring Organised by: Unions of NSW
The Hooley Dooleys
Tim Freedman
Kid Confucius
Free rides and face painting for the kids; and
Much much more
ALL DAY PARKING available - $3 per hour, up to maximum $15 per day. To guarantee a spot, pre-book by phoning
Ticketek 132849 ($15 plus booking fee)
FREE PUBLIC TRANSPORT to and from the event - on CityRail services and Sydney Olympic Park Major Event Buses.
For more transport info, go to www.131500.com.au or call TRANSPORT INFOLINE 131500.
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THE ECONOMY
In 1975 Australian households saved 16% of their after-tax income. Today that figure is minus 3.That is households’
consumer spending is 3% more than their after-tax income. Binges have to end sometime and they invariably lead to
unpleasant hangovers (See Clive Hamilton’s book Affluenza)
THE MILLENNIUM GOALS
Halving the developing world’s poverty by 2015 can be done – EASILY. Click on the following to
find out why economists insist it can be done.http://www.makepovertyhistory.com.au
Our leaders across the world can bring an end to extreme poverty.
Now is your chance to urge the Prime Minister to do all he can to make sure that Australia
does its fair share to seize the opportunities of 2005. Tell him that you do care.
Click on the following site http://www.makepovertyhistory.com.au/emailjohn.asp and the
MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY message card will be delivered to Mr Howard.
Mercy World website has the white band, saying Make Poverty History,around it. Click into the following
link allow the picture to come up then watch as the white band appears. http://www.mercyworld.org/main.asp
You might like to do this if you are involved with a website. Directions are at http://www.makepovertyhistory.com.au
ECOLOGY
Don’t move to Broome, Cairns or many coastal areas over the coming years. They are the places that will first feel
the full brunt of climate change. A copy of the full Report can be accessed at
http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/impacts/publications/risk-vulnerability.html
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ASYLUM SEEKERS
A couple of good news items:
The Federal government cannot deport asylum seekers unless it proves their country of origin is safe, the Federal Court
has ruled. (July 28 2005)The ruling means more than 1,000 asylum seekers facing deportation may be able to stay in
Australia. The decision by justices Murray Wilcox, Rodney Madgwick and Bruce Lander means temporary protection
visa (TPV) holders will no longer be forced to prove their refugee status when their three-year visa expires and they
could instead be issued with a permanent visa.
By the end of this week (July 31) all children and families should be out of detention and in the community.
Children in detention freed 28 July 2005, SBS News.
And a couple of concerns:
Accommodation and appropriate support for the released families needs monitoring. In Sydney especially,
Minister Vanstone has said there is a shortage of public housing. Welfare groups know this only too well.
Former detainees who are considered to be here “illegally” are placed on bridging visas known as Bridging Visa E.
These people, over 8000 across Australia, are forbidden to work, cannot study and have no access to Medicare.
The many community groups and volunteers caring for these people have limited resources.
Marcus Einfeld QC is trying to help pro bono. Recently he called for rejection of the “disdain, the political prejudices
and the sheer inhumanity and intolerance” which have driven policies on bridging visas.
"This is, at its heart, a fight for the rediscovery of our very souls. In my opinion we have not a moment
to lose.(SMH July 29)
Last children in detention freed today 29 July 2005, The Age
Australia frees children from immigration detention 28 July 2005, ABC Radio Australia
As Human Rights Commissioner, Dr Sev Ozdovski, said when he launched his report into Children in Detention and again
in his press release on Friday, 29th July.
"Let no child who arrives in Australia ever suffer under this system again".
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HIROSHIMA NEVER AGAIN 60TH ANNIVERSARY
Think Globally, Act Locally
· March and Rally Saturday 6 August, Hyde Park North 12.30pm
· Wednesday 3August –Saturday 6August Multi-Media Exhibition Mori Gallery 168 Day St (opp. Darling Harbour
· Friday 5 August Shadow Archibald Fountain (Hyde Parlk North) Join us to draw human shadows on the
streets in remembrance of the human shadows burnt into the streets of Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the
atomic bombs.
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C C J P
http://www.ccjpoz.org/sundayseminars.htm
SUNDAY: 21st August 2005
GUEST SPEAKER: Sr Jan Barnett.
TOPIC: Housing
VENUE:. Sister of St Joseph's Building:
1st Floor
9 Alexandra Ave,
Croydon
TIME: 9.45am-12.30
Come along and bring some interested people with you. Registration $10. Email: ccjp@bigpond.com
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MERCY GLOBAL CONCERN
http://www.mercyworld.org/projects/mgc/index.asp
Briefing Notes
July 2005 Briefing Paper Number 2:
Overview: Unkept promises
Almost five years have passed since the largest gathering ever of heads of State and government made this solemn
promise to the peoples of the world: “we will spare no effort to free our fellow men, women and children from the
abject and dehumanizing conditions of extreme poverty.” Almost ten years have passed since the leaders of the
world solemnly committed themselves in Copenhagen “to the goal of eradicating poverty in the world, through decisive
national actions and international cooperation, as an ethical, social, political and economic imperative of humankind.”
Click Here for full article...
July 2005 Briefing Paper Number 1:
Women Facing Globalization:
The new globalized world is the result of processes relating to the restructuring of capital. It has changed the relationships
between sexes, changed people's opinions and values, and has reordered the political world landscape. This globalization
process has evolved unequally across regions, socio-economic groups within regions, and between sexes, with multiple
consequences that continue to erode the quality of people's life...
(pdf)
August 2005 Briefing Paper Number 1:
II. The Impact of Disasters on Women
1. Introduction
The differential impact of disasters on women is a subject new to the Handbook. Its inclusion partly reflects
a growing awareness in the international community that full development can only be achieved when women
and the resources they represent are fully integrated in the development process and are empowered to improve
the economic, social and political conditions of developing countries within a framework of sustainable
development.
(pdf)
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