Aussie Federal Election Aviation Matters
Been busy Steve??
Caught this in the Oz this morning:
Small but effective Steve! 
Q/ Steve while you were talking to the Oz is that when you were asked to pass comment on the AG's mobile phone slip up?
Either way keep up the good work Steve!
Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association may field candidates at election
THE union representing licensed aircraft engineers is considering fielding candidates in key airport seats during the federal election, and is seeking talks with political parties about which way preferences should be directed.
The Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association has warned Labor not to take its support as a given and says it will back only those parties prepared to support aviation.
It has called for members willing to become candidates as part of a Stand up for Aviation campaign that it warns could include Transport Minister Anthony Albanese's seat of Grayndler. It plans to offer preferences to whichever party best fits its bill.
The union said the campaign would cover four key areas: maintaining a strong local aviation industry; supporting employers who give Australian workers priority; keeping Qantas Australian and making the Civil Aviation Safety Authority effective.
It cited Independent Senator Nick Xenophon and MP Bob Katter as two examples of politicians who had stood up for aviation.
"As a small union, we are often overlooked by the major parties and we have learnt over the years that the smiles and handshakes in their offices mean nothing," ALAEA federal executive Steve Purvinas told members in a letter.
Mr Purvinas told The Australian the union's disillusionment with Labor, which he accused of being in "complete disarray", stemmed mainly from the federal government's actions to call in Fair Work Australia during the Qantas dispute. But he said there had been other factors, such as changes to engineering licences and a restructure of the Fair Work Act which made it harder for the union to pursue job security.
"We're shopping around for a party that's going to support aviation," he said. "The Labor Party pretty much automatically expects all of the unions to stand behind them for the election but we've found their love of us isn't unconditional and ours for them should not be either."
Mr Purvinas said political parties were being offered the chance to talk to the union and the executive would make a decision on how far it would go at the end of the month. He believed the seats where the union would run candidates would include "a hell a lot of airport workers who'd support the policies we've put forward".
THE union representing licensed aircraft engineers is considering fielding candidates in key airport seats during the federal election, and is seeking talks with political parties about which way preferences should be directed.
The Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association has warned Labor not to take its support as a given and says it will back only those parties prepared to support aviation.
It has called for members willing to become candidates as part of a Stand up for Aviation campaign that it warns could include Transport Minister Anthony Albanese's seat of Grayndler. It plans to offer preferences to whichever party best fits its bill.
The union said the campaign would cover four key areas: maintaining a strong local aviation industry; supporting employers who give Australian workers priority; keeping Qantas Australian and making the Civil Aviation Safety Authority effective.
It cited Independent Senator Nick Xenophon and MP Bob Katter as two examples of politicians who had stood up for aviation.
"As a small union, we are often overlooked by the major parties and we have learnt over the years that the smiles and handshakes in their offices mean nothing," ALAEA federal executive Steve Purvinas told members in a letter.
Mr Purvinas told The Australian the union's disillusionment with Labor, which he accused of being in "complete disarray", stemmed mainly from the federal government's actions to call in Fair Work Australia during the Qantas dispute. But he said there had been other factors, such as changes to engineering licences and a restructure of the Fair Work Act which made it harder for the union to pursue job security.
"We're shopping around for a party that's going to support aviation," he said. "The Labor Party pretty much automatically expects all of the unions to stand behind them for the election but we've found their love of us isn't unconditional and ours for them should not be either."
Mr Purvinas said political parties were being offered the chance to talk to the union and the executive would make a decision on how far it would go at the end of the month. He believed the seats where the union would run candidates would include "a hell a lot of airport workers who'd support the policies we've put forward".
Q/ Steve while you were talking to the Oz is that when you were asked to pass comment on the AG's mobile phone slip up?
Either way keep up the good work Steve!
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Steve – nothing but admiration and respect for the effort and etc. But I just wonder whether the sound of one hand clapping will make enough noise. Is it not possible to assemble a quorum of similar minded associations?, go in mob handed, aligned and united; it is a common cause after all.
Just my two bob's worth – yeah, I know back to my knitting,....
Just my two bob's worth – yeah, I know back to my knitting,....
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Politicans who Fly
Here is a challenge, which politicans have a licence or own an aircraft?
Victoria - Beech Bon??
Senator Fawcett
Hon. Susan Ley - Albury
Senator Heffernan - Had a SPL
Who else??
Victoria - Beech Bon??
Senator Fawcett
Hon. Susan Ley - Albury
Senator Heffernan - Had a SPL
Who else??
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Steve – nothing but admiration and respect for the effort and etc. But I just wonder whether the sound of one hand clapping will make enough noise. Is it not possible to assemble a quorum of similar minded associations?, go in mob handed, aligned and united; it is a common cause after all.
- too much work on
- can't find members to stand for Parliament
- don't want to upset the Labor people we like
- worried members might not be happy about decision
- too hard to catch Steve on the phone to see how they are going about it
- leadership overseas a lot
- Not enough time between now and election
- May upset airline management/CASA
Watever happens, our decision will be finalised at our Executive meeting at the end of this month. If we go full steam ahead we will be doing it properly. It won't just be one hand clapping thin air.
cheers
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I had a look at the Government Policies. Well for an Industry that was so important to have that they rammed into Fairwork to settle the dispute between Qantas and the Unions, they sure do have a pissweak approach to the policy side of things.
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Steves message
Steve,
Many moons ago I was a member of the ALAEA, when TAA were head to head with Ansett.
Your post was informative and the subsequent comments by intrepid PPruners equally so.
However, I really don’t think that by putting ALAEA folks forward as running candidates will have the effect that you are looking for. In my opinion aviation people should be bending the ear of their local federal member, or alternate member, come the September 14 election result. It is an unfortunate fact of political life that a major party is the only power base that can legislate and make the changes which your post requires.
Whichever way mate, your words are music to my ears and I hope to goodness some of the scenario painted comes to pass.
Nkosi
Many moons ago I was a member of the ALAEA, when TAA were head to head with Ansett.
Your post was informative and the subsequent comments by intrepid PPruners equally so.
However, I really don’t think that by putting ALAEA folks forward as running candidates will have the effect that you are looking for. In my opinion aviation people should be bending the ear of their local federal member, or alternate member, come the September 14 election result. It is an unfortunate fact of political life that a major party is the only power base that can legislate and make the changes which your post requires.
Whichever way mate, your words are music to my ears and I hope to goodness some of the scenario painted comes to pass.
Nkosi
Last edited by Nkosi; 3rd May 2013 at 05:27.
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Many moons ago I was a member of the ALAEA, when TAA were head to head with Ansett.
However, I really don’t think that by putting ALAEA folks forward as running candidates will have the effect that you are looking for. In my opinion aviation people should be bending the ear of their local federal member, or alternate member, come the September 14 election result
Your logic would be successful in an ideal world where Democracy did not mean corruption. Before I was in my FedSec role, I knew nothing about Politics and often just put donkey votes in. I thought I could reason with the Politicians and surely they would understand our problems. This is what we tried for years and I can tell you. It does not work.
Most of the big players in the main parties are first class grubs. They are experts at it. I've sat in their offices and shown them stuff that shows complete contempt for the Laws of this country. They write down stuff, make copies of evidence, call in offsiders with words like "have a listen to this John, we need to get on to it". Then, nothing happens. A short time later I see them in tents at the Melb Cup swooning about with CEO's having the time of their lives, or see the Parliamentary declarations of free ipads or Grand Final tix.
If you think they listen to reasoned debates raised by local Members on behalf of their constituents, watch the APAC channel for a bit. Question time runs for one hour and is live on ABC. Every grub who wants his head on the box sits in the House for that hour. It is all of them. Then come 3pm, they all leave the House because it reverts to APAC which nobody watches. They run speeches in that place with a Speaker, Talker and 3 or 4 on each side of the house only.
The reason we need to run candidates is because I have finally worked out what makes them tick (I know this took me a while). It is self-preservation. Every deal, every comment, every bit of support and every single decision comes down to "what can it do for me". The people who go to their local member can't do anything for him/her. You need to have something they want. The only thing they want is votes to get re-elected.
The person who goes to see his member has one vote. The Aircraft Engineer/Pilot/Plumber or Candlestick Maker who runs against that member has 1000's of votes he sits on as preferences. They want those votes to self-preserve their positions. In return we will want them to address our Aviation concerns and we have learnt enough to know that they won't get our support by simply calling in an advisor and getting them to jot down a few notes whist they explain how genuinely concerned they are.
Hope this explains the reality of things.
cheers
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More on Steve's message
Thanks for that Steve. My experience of the political animal is not dissimilar to yours, but you put it in a tad more straightforward way!
I am of an age when hearing the glib frazes and associated sound bites from our 'leaders' allows me to just roll the eyes and wonder whether they, the spouters of such words, understand the basics of truth, honesty, fidelity and fairness. Perhaps when they start on the political road they do but when in positions of power that attitude is long gone.
I'll return to my garden and thank goodness I have retired from the game, but keep on keeping on Steve, you have a heap of support.
Cheers
Nkosi
I am of an age when hearing the glib frazes and associated sound bites from our 'leaders' allows me to just roll the eyes and wonder whether they, the spouters of such words, understand the basics of truth, honesty, fidelity and fairness. Perhaps when they start on the political road they do but when in positions of power that attitude is long gone.
I'll return to my garden and thank goodness I have retired from the game, but keep on keeping on Steve, you have a heap of support.
Cheers
Nkosi
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Indeed how times have changed!
Steve, you are certainly learning the ropes. Grubs and self preservation pretty much somes up Australian politics mate.
You mentioned TAA, that got my heart fluttering. Good airline, good people and good memories. Unlike today's environment whereas airline is based around parasitic CEO's and their bonuses.
Steve, you are certainly learning the ropes. Grubs and self preservation pretty much somes up Australian politics mate.
You mentioned TAA, that got my heart fluttering. Good airline, good people and good memories. Unlike today's environment whereas airline is based around parasitic CEO's and their bonuses.
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I should add that there are some good people in Parliament. To mention some - Nick X, Bob K, Adam B, Glen S and I am sure some I don't know. These are people who do stuff to support Aviation without even being asked.
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Steve, agreed. I will take back my comment a couple of notches. There are a handful of decent and genuine hardworking politicians. But sadly it is just a handful, the rest are as you pointed out earlier.
My old man was a member of the Painter and Dockers, an Uncle was one of the 89ers and my Grandfather worked on the Sydney Harbour Bridge construction (no sissy vests, harnesses or bloody long sleeve shirts) and I have and will always bleed union blood, but politicians and corporate parasites, combined with the current Labor party, make my blood boil. I do not tolerate injustice, hypocrisy or the sacrifice of a good persons scalp as being 'the Australian way'.
Although I wish some of the 'old days' were still here, I accept that things change. Sometimes it is for the best.
All I wish for is a party with balls, that will stand up for the nuts and bolts of this country, for the worker. A party that will say it the way it is, not bend over and prostitute themselves to the highest bidder. You guys bring the balls and a good portion of us will back you. Will you win the war? Buggered if I know, but you know what, really who cares, at least one can go to bed at night and sleep well knowing they fought for the rights of others and themselves. It doesn't matter what the personal count is, to sleep at night knowing that you have kept your dignity, beliefs and your 'very word' intact is more valuable than any of the bonuses and kickbacks that corporate grubs and political scum line up for..
My old man was a member of the Painter and Dockers, an Uncle was one of the 89ers and my Grandfather worked on the Sydney Harbour Bridge construction (no sissy vests, harnesses or bloody long sleeve shirts) and I have and will always bleed union blood, but politicians and corporate parasites, combined with the current Labor party, make my blood boil. I do not tolerate injustice, hypocrisy or the sacrifice of a good persons scalp as being 'the Australian way'.
Although I wish some of the 'old days' were still here, I accept that things change. Sometimes it is for the best.
All I wish for is a party with balls, that will stand up for the nuts and bolts of this country, for the worker. A party that will say it the way it is, not bend over and prostitute themselves to the highest bidder. You guys bring the balls and a good portion of us will back you. Will you win the war? Buggered if I know, but you know what, really who cares, at least one can go to bed at night and sleep well knowing they fought for the rights of others and themselves. It doesn't matter what the personal count is, to sleep at night knowing that you have kept your dignity, beliefs and your 'very word' intact is more valuable than any of the bonuses and kickbacks that corporate grubs and political scum line up for..
Last edited by my oleo is extended; 4th May 2013 at 11:22.
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Oleo and Steve,
I have been pondering your words of wisdom whilst inspecting the garden for weeds (actually sitting in the sun and cogitating on the unfairness of it all, with a beer in hand).
The correlation between weeds and politicians is very similar, they start small but eventually spread and cause other plants (issues) *to be smothered.*
So what is needed is a fire in the belly party, and I'm suggesting that if the folk within the aviation community impress Bob Katter and the KAT, with the type of argument or issues discussed by Steve, with the added impetuous of votes going their way the possibility of a voice in the wilderness being heard is magnified. And perhaps those issues will not be smothered. *But this has been said already.
Cheers
Nkosi
I have been pondering your words of wisdom whilst inspecting the garden for weeds (actually sitting in the sun and cogitating on the unfairness of it all, with a beer in hand).
The correlation between weeds and politicians is very similar, they start small but eventually spread and cause other plants (issues) *to be smothered.*
So what is needed is a fire in the belly party, and I'm suggesting that if the folk within the aviation community impress Bob Katter and the KAT, with the type of argument or issues discussed by Steve, with the added impetuous of votes going their way the possibility of a voice in the wilderness being heard is magnified. And perhaps those issues will not be smothered. *But this has been said already.
Cheers
Nkosi
As I have kinda mentioned earlier the Govt haven't got any intensions of changing Aviation despite some good people behind the scenes batting for us. You see they (the Govt) have an authority/body to look after the industry (CASA/ATSB etc) so they (Govt) simply don't have any reason to look at it, figure out a fix & implement it, all to hard considering they are all but finished on a much larger overall scale.
Private sectors own the Airlines as well as the major landing fields paying taxes the last thing any Govt wants to do is cut off the hand that feeds them.
Any aviation voters whom the current Govt 'might' get to vote for them if they did fix the ugly aviation industry mess would probably still not vote for them as there's plenty of other ugliness that the current Govt is handing out to hard working Aussies to make 99% of voters spit on their voting cards on election day.
It's a no win situation, aviation like a lot of other industries will flounder in this rudder-less country for many generations to come.
Remember WE put them there, right or wrong it's a democratic society that's simply not working for the common man on the street!
God 'elp us we need another ice age!
Wmk2
Private sectors own the Airlines as well as the major landing fields paying taxes the last thing any Govt wants to do is cut off the hand that feeds them.
Any aviation voters whom the current Govt 'might' get to vote for them if they did fix the ugly aviation industry mess would probably still not vote for them as there's plenty of other ugliness that the current Govt is handing out to hard working Aussies to make 99% of voters spit on their voting cards on election day.
It's a no win situation, aviation like a lot of other industries will flounder in this rudder-less country for many generations to come.
Remember WE put them there, right or wrong it's a democratic society that's simply not working for the common man on the street!
God 'elp us we need another ice age!
Wmk2
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Thanks Nikosi. I will step back a tad, as this is Steves thread so to speak, however as mentioned he has and will maintain some good support on this issue. These blokes are willing to put in the hard yards, we have the easy bit - support them 100%. For anyone with a set of balls this is really easy!
Keep going Steve
Keep going Steve
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I don't know Steve, has the executive ever considered taking the leap and becoming affiliated with the Labor Party? An allied transport associated unions vote on the conference floor could achieve the same goal.
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company spy, Labor is about big unions these days.Even with an affiliation the alaea would not rate imho.
To be honest I have my doubts about tying up with Bob's mob but you do what you got to do. If he supports aviation and its workers good for both parties. The others don't give a rats rectum.
To be honest I have my doubts about tying up with Bob's mob but you do what you got to do. If he supports aviation and its workers good for both parties. The others don't give a rats rectum.
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Bob was a minister in Bjelke-Petersons government, can a leopard change its spots? Time will tell. Let's hope its not just all populist thought bubbles