Stand Tall with Ark Tribe

Important read: CCU submission to Senate Committee

In a recent submission to the Senate Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Committee, the Combined Construction Unions, which include the CFMEU, AMWU, CEPU and AWU, have called for the repealing of the BCII Act, which unfairly discriminates against workers in the construction industry.

Click on the link on the "Stand Tall" widget on the right of this page to download the submission in full.

Support grows for the rigger Ark Tribe

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Hundreds chant "one law for all" in Elizabeth

Around 300 people turned up at the Elizabeth Magistrates Court today to protest for a second time against the draconian laws of the Australian Building & Construction Commission (ABCC) and the charges brought against Adelaide construction worker Ark Tribe.

As readers of this blog will know, Ark Tribe has been charged with failing to attend a "compulsory" ABCC interrogation. Taking advantage of laws usually reserved for the likes of suspected terrorists, the bosses whip snake – the ABCC - has moved on from attacking union officials and is going after rank and file workers like Mr Tribe.

However, the ABCC have taken their attacks one step to far and are meeting a growing resistance, not only from building and construction unions but from the whole union movement and its supporters. They have clearly underestimated the strength of working Australians who, with every day that passes, are standing tall with the rigger Ark Tribe.

Keep an eye on this site for photos, video and interviews from today's rally.

One Law for All, Justice for All!

Stand Tall - the Ark Tribe song goes live.

Click on the mp3 icon in the box to the right to stream the new song "Stand Tall", the official anthem of the Arks Tribe campaign. Stand Tall will be pumping out at the Elizabeth Magistrates Court as Ark Tribe's case resumes next Tuesday.

Supporters of worker's rights are asked to gather at 1030am at the front of the Frobisher Rd courthouse for a rally in support of Ark Tribe and in protest at the coercive powers being used by the Australian Building & Construction Commission (ABCC) against Australian construction workers and their unions.

What: Protest against the ABCC & in support of Ark Tribe

Where: Elizabeth Magistrates Court, 15 Frobisher Rd, Elizabeth, SA.

When: 11th August, 1030am sharp.

*Stand Tall lyrics written by Mike Williss, performed by Peter Hicks and engineered by Geoff Francis in Southern Tasmania.

Click on the arrow next to the mp3 icon to download the song, get a link for your website or create a ringtone for your mobile phone.

Does the PM need new specs?

The Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in welcoming and thanking those who attended the Community Cabinet meeting at Elizabeth High School last night, made a point of praising his own government's economic achievements over the past year.

Ironically, the meeting was held not far from the magistrates court at which Ark Tribe will be facing a sentence of six months jail in less than two weeks time.

Besides other things, the PM pointed out the infrastructure package he and his team had developed which has assisted small business and kept workers employed. He highlighted the Northern Expressway and the bridge his minister had just opened as a good example of what his government is building. Overheard from a worker in the audience was, "I can't remember seeing any of that lot up the front helping us on the job".

Ark Tribe was also observed at the meeting along with about 400 other citizens.

When the Prime Minister had finished his speech, he asked for questions from the good citizens.

Ark Tribe was standing up at the back of the hall with his hand up. All the audience in front of Ark was sitting down. Many questions were asked and each question was meticulously answered by the PM and/or the minister concerned. Ark Tribe remained standing, hand raised hopefully on each occasion.

The PM called for the last question and Ark Tribe, still standing with hand up and everyone seated in front of him, still couldn't be seen by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.

One would have to conclude that the PM deliberately ignored Ark or he needs new glasses.

At the conclusion of the meeting I approached Ark Tribe and asked him what question he wanted the PM to answer. He replied with the following: 

"Why is it, that as recently demonstrated by Mr. Turnbull, he like most other Australians can exercise their right to remain silent, yet I as an Australian Construction Worker who only demands the same right, find myself in a situation where your government is trying to imprison me for 6 months?”

“All I want, Mr. Prime Minister, is a fair suck of the sauce bottle mate."