The initials inscribed on Jesus cross were INRI. For the Aussie worker Johnnee has simplified them to IR ... and pocketed the difference as NI (new incentives) for pollies extra pocket money in Canberra

With a careful choice of words, the PM talked of his legislation holding back a 'surge'. Not a Flood.

When Laurie opens his mouth, will he revert to the 'flood' terminology? Or can he find another synonym, and train his shrunken frontal lobes not to use the F word? He may find the wearing of a wristband will help. In any case, isn't he the one with his finger in the dyke, holding back the torrent of cheap Chinese imports that take jobs away from the workers?

    Mr. Bush abandoned his principles because he was under attack from
    Democrats waving the bloody shirt of lost jobs. Sure, China's cheap
    yuan has cost us manufacturing jobs - but it has also led to a flood of
    Chinese capital to America, keeping interest rates low. If we blame
    China for lost American jobs in making shirts, we should credit it for
    new American jobs in banking and construction.

Labor needs a scapegoat. Will Laurie do the honourable thing?

Strong currency a double-edged sword
A Sydney business conference has been told the high dollar has been a "disaster" for Australia's industrial base.
The chief economist of industry forecaster BIS Shrapnel, Dr Frank Gelber, has told the firm's biannual conference he got his earlier inflation forecast wrong.
He says although there are wage pressures and capacity constraints in the economy, the high dollar has held down prices of imported goods and forced local firms to match them.
Dr Gelber says that is good for inflation.
"[But] the over-valued dollar is an absolute diaster for Australian industry," he said.
"We're shifting production offshore."
Dr Gelber says every time Australia enjoys a minerals boom and the dollar heads higher, other parts of industry suffer.
"We're losing industry hand over fist," he said.
"And once it goes it goes, it's very difficult to get back again.
"You lose the skills, you lose the technologies. It's gone."

I don't know where Dr Gelber has been but it's been federal government policy (both Liberal & Labor) for more than a generation to "transform" our "industrial economy" into a "service economy".

And besides, we've demonstrated as a nation that the thing that we're best at is digging stuff up & exporting it with no value added.

As to "losing" skills .... just look at our efforts from education to industrial relations: dumb down the work force; turn it into a fear-gripped casual labour pool, devoid of rights & taking work wherever & whenever they can find it ..... don't see a lot of skills required to participate in this work force .... apart from survival skills. 

But we sure know how to manufacture "personalities". 

From the ABC

Workplace inspectors will protect workers' rights, says Govt
The Federal Government says the new arrangements for inspecting workplaces are a sign that it is determined to ensure that workers' rights are protected under its new industrial relations (IR) laws.

The Government has announced that Nicholas Wilson, who was a registrar with the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC), will head the Office of Workplace Services and oversee more than 200 inspectors around the country.

The Workplace Relations Minister, Kevin Andrews, says the inspectors have tougher powers under the new laws.

"Giving these powers to the inspectors means that they can independently prosecute where they believe a case has been made out," he said.

"They can independently prosecute where they believe a case has been made out, they also have a wide range of powers in relation to investigation, including the inspection of documents and so this is a further added protection for employees in Australia."

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Gus inspects the Inspectors: to make sure they have white teeth, accreditation of the inspecting degree of Johnnee Hard Hat University and a case... See carton of small beer at head of this blog line and note the date...

From our ABC

Unemployment rate falls to lowest level in 30 years

Australia's official jobless rate has fallen, with figures released for January showing unemployment stands at a seasonally-adjusted 4.5 per cent.

Federal Treasurer Peter Costello says he believes the unemployment rate can be kept at its current low level.

"All Australians will welcome the fact that unemployment has fallen again to 4.5 per cent - the lowest unemployment rate Australia has had in more than 30 years," he said.

Mr Costello argues it is a sign that the WorkChoices legislation is helping create jobs.

"We've now seen unemployment below 5 per cent for nine months," he said.

"We have seen in the last year 300,000 new jobs created in our country and we've seen over the last decade two million new jobs created in our country."

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Gus: this is good news. Great news really... but... but... The real figure for unemployment is actually 8 per cent, once people "working for the dole, those working part time and those working an official hour per week are fully discounted as they should.

Alleluyah, I ve done two hours work so far this week and I not unemployed! Bravissimo... It's a working man (and woman)'s paradise... the pay's lousy but the stats work magnificently...

See cartoon at top...