In a setting like ye olde jousting tournament , spirits were higher than the clouds over the tents set up for Townsville's annual May Day Labour March which included two brass bands , tin whistle players , several activist canines and the caged man below who highlighted the treatment of refugees by Australia on Manus and Nauru .
The major issue was the call to fight the cutting of penalty rates by the Fair Work Commission , seen as opening the way to slash the pay and conditions of other employees, the Americanisation of workers in Australia . The large gathering at the end of the march was told cutting weekend penalty rates , affecting some 400,000 employees nationwide in retail, hospitality , pharmacy and fast food outlets could reduce pay by as much as $6000 for some .
In Townsville these cuts would affect a large number of workers , in a city where jobs are hard to come by because of the economic situation, the closure of Queensland Nickel and other factors. .
In Townsville these cuts would affect a large number of workers , in a city where jobs are hard to come by because of the economic situation, the closure of Queensland Nickel and other factors. .
Adani , naturally, was another issue raised in the march , one placard firmly stating there was no way Adani should be given $1 billion by the Australian government and free drawing rights on water .
Pictured at the right , in cap , marching near the banner of the Townsville Trades and Labour Council , established 1888 , is the federal Member for Herbert , Cathy O'Toole , behind her , in a hat , Queensland State Development Minister, Dr Anthony Lynham , Townsville Mayor , Jenny Hill .
Other points made during speeches :
* The shenanigans going on in the Turnbull government are likely to see it tossed out of office . ( In Victoria , a former staunch, now unhappy Liberal supporter said he had been told the government could lose 20 seats at the next election .)
* Tim Nicholls , leader of the Queensland Liberal Nation Party , a recent poll showing he is as popular as an outbreak of Banana Freckle Disease at Tully , is trying to dress himself up as some new great bloke , yet ousted former premier Campbell Newman's remaindered book , on sale for 20cents, showed Nicholls wanted to sell off all state assets and sack the public service .
* Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk was applauded for moving against labour hire companies who exploit workers .
Other points made during speeches :
* The shenanigans going on in the Turnbull government are likely to see it tossed out of office . ( In Victoria , a former staunch, now unhappy Liberal supporter said he had been told the government could lose 20 seats at the next election .)
* Tim Nicholls , leader of the Queensland Liberal Nation Party , a recent poll showing he is as popular as an outbreak of Banana Freckle Disease at Tully , is trying to dress himself up as some new great bloke , yet ousted former premier Campbell Newman's remaindered book , on sale for 20cents, showed Nicholls wanted to sell off all state assets and sack the public service .
* Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk was applauded for moving against labour hire companies who exploit workers .
Hearty chants throughout the march included : Solidarity Forever ; Get up, Stand up; The Workers , United will never be defeated ; Malcolm Turnbull has to go ; Aussie weekend ripped to Shreds /Work Choices back from the Dead ; MUA here to stay ; State schools, great schools and Woof !!! Woof !!! by canines keen to fang a nice bone and a mean Tory .
