Monday, November 20, 2006

Greg Combet: new consensus for 21st Century

Delivering the 2006 Hawke lecture in Adelaide today, ACTU Secretary Greg Combet has called for Labor and the union movement to develop a new "democratic consensus" on the issues of economic growth, security, education and climate change.

Mr Combet said Australia needs "a consensus which united rather than divides us" in the face of "division and deliberate deceit and distraction from the real issues" by the Howard Government.

Mr Combet said the Coalition Government was prepared to "unleash every evil spectre", including racism, xenophobia and contempt -- all for its own political gain.

He said long-term economic, environmental, social justice and security issues were not being effectively addressed.

"Political opportunism, divisiveness and disregard for civil rights and democratic principle is evident at unprecedented levels.

Democratic values have been weakened as the Coalition put human rights and social justice behind other priorities."

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