Here is a table of grants made to trade unions directly by the Federal Government from 2007 to 2011. Keep in mind this table is before the magnanimity displayed in the 2011 budget document below.
CLICK ON PICTURE FOR LARGER IMAGE:
CLICK ON PICTURE FOR LARGER IMAGE:
A few things jump out immediately, like the very large dollar amounts of some grants and the somewhat amorphous goals they've set. I wonder if a young and naive lawyer was engaged to make sure that no pitfalls were encountered in the handover of $10,000,000 to the Union Education Foundation as it embarks on its mission to "Develop and deliver Workplace Education program to create a co-operative workplace relations environment by improving the skills and knowledge of employee representatives".
That's a lot of co-operative environment they're creating there - $10MILL worth of it. Thiess Contractors apparently achieved world class operations in this regard at the Dawesville Cut project, the Western Australian Government trumpeted Thiess's achievements along with the AWU in the Annual Report of the BCITF from 1993 Why, here's a direct quote, "The Thiess Dawesville Cut project is not only a significant engineering feat, it is operating as a model site for workplace reform and innovative training delivery." I wonder if $10,000,000.00 would buy the AWU Workplace Reform Association manuals, systems, online learning modules and associated intellectual property? (I'm reliably informed a Fitzroy townhouse is a necessary ancillary instrument in the successful and innovative delivery of workplace reform - should get a couple of them for $10MILL).
Just one other comment from me and the Seeker of Truth. The Clothing, Textiles and Footwear Union seems to score very well on the English language teaching front. This is a curious series of grants, particularly when compared with the broader $20M this government has made available for workplace language training in the 2011 budget training package.
I wonder if the Workplace Reform Advisors engaged by Thiess contractors have given the workplace reform caper away - there are billions awaiting their distinctive competence here!
Federal Government grants to unions and others invited to share in the party (Party?)
I WONDER HOW MUCH CONSOLIDATED REVENUE LABOR HAS STOLEN USING THIS METHOD.
ReplyDeletePICKERING POST SAID THERE WAS A HUGE AMOUNT OF MONEY MISSING FROM PORTFOLIO'S UNDER THE CONTROL OF MARK ARBIB. MAYBE THE REASON FOR HIS SUDDEN RESIGNATION FROM HIS PLUM JOB.