REITH BOWS OUT

Date: 29 June 2001

Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations Arch Bevis said today that Peter Reith would forever be remembered in the minds of most Australians for the savage dogs and balaclava wearing thugs used in the Patrick's waterfront dispute of 1998.

Mr Bevis was commenting on the expected announcement by Peter Reith that he will not contest the next election due later this year.

"The waterfront dispute will be remembered as the low point in Australian industrial relations for more than a generation. All Australian workers have been affected by the laws put in place by Peter Reith and John Howard which stripped away hard won terms and conditions of employment.

"Peter Reith was a zealot in pursuing an agenda that he and John Howard both shared. It has produced a far more gladiatorial and aggressive industrial relations environment highlighted by the Patrick's waterfront dispute, together with bitter strikes and lengthy lockouts by employers. Peter Reith's role in the most savage and divisive dispute in a generation will, in minds of most Australians, be the thing that he is remembered for.

"It has been plain to everyone in Canberra that his political ambitions have been on the rocks since the Telecard affair and it is not surprising that he has chosen to leave parliamentary life", said Mr Bevis.

P2601

29 June 2001

For further information

Contact:	David Tansey
Union:	ALP Federal
Phone:	(02) 6277 4518
Contact Mobile:	0416 136 164
Fax:	(02) 6277 8534
Email:	david.tansey@aph.gov.au
WWW:	http://www.alp.org.au

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