Last month Yarra Council voted unanimously in favour of a Socialist Party-inspired motion slamming Howard’s Industrial Relations attacks and pledged to stick to collective agreements with its 500-strong workforce. Similar motions have been carried at some neighbouring Councils.We must stop now any idea from senior management or right-wing Councillors (at any Council) that they might take advantage of the opportunities presented by Howard’s changes to introduce individual contracts and thereby drive down wages and conditions.

The ALP and Green Councillors were very keen to support the motion. However when a SP-commissioned report was tabled outlining how bad Yarra’s private contractors are in terms of health and safety and EBA compliance, these same Councillors had nothing to say. As I said on the night, “charity begins at home”.

BANCO

Last month an important round was also won in the battle between Collingwood residents and the Banco developer. The over-the-top development application of Banco was ‘called in’ by the State ALP Minister of Planning, taking it out of the undemocratic Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal court process. The Minister, advised by the local ALP MP Dick Wynne, made a political decision to take control of this application. Wynne had seen through his own eyes the massive opposition to the Banco plans for Smith St while he was running his stall every Saturday next to the joint SP/Collingwood Action Group stall.

Now the battle moves onto whether the Minister makes modest or serious changes to Banco’s plans. He has on his table the community view on this development (which came out of a Steering Committee that I chaired). As we go to press CAG is preparing for a street rally to keep up the pressure.

PUBLIC HOUSING

There is growing unrest on the public housing estates in Yarra about the cuts to social services and the threatened partial privatisation of public housing in Victoria. This could lead to the selling off of land by newly formed Housing Trusts to fund services, eg. The North Richmond Community Health Centre.

Because the State government considers Yarra a compliant Council, this area has had a double blow in terms of cuts, or a shifting of services elsewhere. For example the ‘Innovations Project’ to provide services for vulnerable families went to the neighbouring Darebin Council, as did the ‘Best Start’ (early intervention with early childhood services).

Now the Brotherhood of St Laurence has announced that ?The Cottages? in Fitzroy is to close in November. This centre provides vital services, including family support, to newly arrived communities on the Fitzroy public housing estate, especially from the Horn of Africa. SP is currently working with others to campaign for Council and the State Government to step in to keep this service alive.

To keep abreast of our work on Council, check out the Councillors Diary section on our web site - www.socialistpartyaustralia.org/council