The West-E-Wing is Ian’s email newsletter. To subscribe, send an email to Ian.West@parliament.nsw.gov.au

2 November 2007

Note: While links contained in this email are correct at the time of sending, links to the NSW Parliament website may change. To access Ian’s latest speeches click here

Busters Outed

Anti-worker union busters would make up 100 per cent of a re-elected Howard-Costello Government front bench.

The figure includes such radical activists as Peter Costello - who has said he wanted the minimum wage to be the only guarantee at work.

All members of the Howard Government voted for WorkChoices laws, which have been condemned by the International Labor Organisation for breaching collective bargaining and freedom of association rights.

The statistic is at odds with the views of most Australians, with the 2007 State of the Union survey revealing 83 per cent believe the country benefits from unions.

To read Ian’s speech to Parliament on Costello’s exploits click here.

TAKE ACTION: Tell Federal Industrial Relations Minister Joe Hockey where to stick workchoices: click here

Books Not Bombs Buy Jobs

Public dollars spent in education create more, better paying jobs than the same money spent on defence, a US study has found.

The University of Massachusetts study revealed $US1 billion spent on education directly and indirectly creates 17,687 jobs.

The same money would create only 8555 jobs if it were spent in defence or 10,779 jobs if it was given away in tax cuts.

Average wages and benefits per worker from $US1 billion invested in education was $75,024, compared with $65,986 invested defence and $46,819 given in tax cuts.

For a summary of the study click here.

If you require assistance accessing information from a NSW Government Department or a Minister, or have feedback and ideas for speeches, or if you believe you know an issue that should be looked at by one of the Parliamentary committees, contact me at Parliament House on (02) 9230 2052 or email ian.west@parliament.nsw.gov.au