Big business: bigger noise

Over the past few days big business has mobilised to an extraordinary extent to rubbish Labor's IR policy. John Howard gave Dracula the keys to the blood bank, and surprise surprise, Dracula doesn't like it when they could be taken away.

Let's take a moment to go through the characters who are jumping up to protest against the restoration of fairness and balance in the workplace.

First, there is the Business Council of Australia, the champion of AWA individual contracts. BCA President Michael Chaney is renowned for having once said that fairness has no role in IR policy. He, of course, is not feeling the pinch of "WorkChoices," having earned more than $6 million dollars a year since 1998. That's $115,000 a week.

Another vocal critic is Peter Hendy from the ACCI. Mr Hendy was a senior adviser to former Liberal IR minister Peter Reith, so "WorkChoices" is his baby. He has vowed to throw millions of dollars into an advertising campaign supporting his friend and confidante John Howard.

Then there is BHP Billiton boss Chip Goodyear, who has stated that Labor's IR policy is a step backwards for business. He earns more than $6.5 million a year. Retiring Rio Tinto boss Leigh Clifford, who has pocketed between 4 and $6 million a year for the past decade, also put in his two cents.

Tell big business to come off it. Fairness and rights at work must play a part in IR policy. Sign the petition now. www.rightsatwork.com.au/campaigns/bigbusiness