Media Tactics - International Mass Media

We are dealing with criminals, murderers and conspirators on two continents.

Since the release of news relating to the Sarin gas scandal the mass media has been attempting to background the story with ‘news’ of the Prime Minister’s Freudian reactions to child nudity. We are aware of media tricks designed to displace compromising content. Regardless of the morbidity level of sensationalist content, the Sarin expose promises to remain etched in the Australian cultural consciousness.

We are in a position to assure every Australian that the arrogant sentiments expressed by the former U.S. ambassador, relating to an earlier compromising event -- “the people will forget all this in three weeks” -- will never apply to this case.

This episode will live on in infamy until such time that all information is made available and tested in the legal arena. The U.S.-Australian ‘alliance’ will never be the same again; the nation owes a great debt of gratitude to the brave investigative reporter who accessed military records and files relating to this outrageous American plan.

Historians have now been made aware of events and will no doubt set to work recording all information for future generations.

We also note that Australian rail workers are planning to strike during the Pope's World Youth Day visit. Union officials have exhausted all their options in relation to FAIR and equitable wage adjustments prior to pursuing strike action -- the government will no longer take the Australian workforce for granted. We are also aware of an unstated contributing factor to the strike; the ABUSE of police powers in the State of NSW!

The Fair Pay Commission raised the federal mininum wage by $21.66 a week, providing some relief for 1.3 million lower-paid workers who are struggling under higher petrol and food prices.

The standard federal minimum wage moved up to $14.31 per hour from $13.74 last year, bringing the weekly rate to $543.78 from $522.12.

The 4.14% increase is less than the 4.3% sought by the Australian Council of Trade Unions, but well above the more modest increase sought by the business community fearful of a wage price-setting spiral being set off by rising wages.

In addition to minimum wage earners, the Commission's decision affects those on a pay scale based on the minimum wage.

AFPC chairman Ian Harper announced the pay rise in Melbourne today, saying the wage rise, when combined with relevant tax and social security changes, would provide low income households with real increases in disposable income.

''It is a decision that takes into account the state of the national economy and the circumstances of low paid Australians,'' he said.

Prof Harper said the commission was aware of the financial pressures impacting on low income households.

''Movements in consumer prices, in particular, have put many low income households under considerable financial stress,'' he said.

He added the commission had sought to balance a range of key trends and developments in the economy, including inflation, employment conditions and factors affecting the safety net for low paid workers.

The commission believed the pay rise would only have a minor impact on wage and inflation outcomes in the economy, Prof Harper said.

Business groups are wary a jump in the federal minimum wage will fuel a wage price-setting spiral, one that historically fans more inflation and high costs of doing business.

The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry urged the Fair Pay Commission to give an increase of $10.25 taking into account the tax increase that took effect in July 1.

The ACCI said the commission should bear in mind the higher inflation as well as the effect a pay rise would have on small businesses before making a decision.

Unions, pointing to the surging cost of rents, petrol and food their members face, had sought a $26 per week rise.

''It would be a very bad deal and totally hypocritical if low paid workers don't get at least a 4.3% increase in minimum wages this year,'' said Jeff Lawrence, ACTU Secretary, in a statement made in June.

''More and more families are having their income eaten away in petrol, groceries and housing costs," he said. "Families are really feeling the pinch and low paid workers are desperate for a decent pay rise.''

© 2008 Fairfax Digital

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