Response to Discussion Starter 1 - by Catholics in coalition for Justice and Peace, Sydney

Group 1. GLOBALISATION
Questions: Do we boycott? If so, what? McDonalds, target countries, or industries like Shell.
Notify industry of boycott
Tap into anti-globalisation movements. IMF, World Bank need scrutiny and accountability.
Could be Power for good. A mixed blessing. Can industries benefit?
Use the education system. What's the fuss about?
Are protest movements hi-jacked? What are their strenghts?
US has anti-monopoly laws, but exploits people and countries outside the USA.
Family farm is being sold. But not Ned Kelly's armour. Priorities please.
Explode the myths such as "Good Weekend".
20% or people own 78% of world. Austalia is part of it.
Capitalism is the problem.
Professor Sen in Deakin Lectures - advantaged / disadvantaged discussed. Not an academic question!
Powerelessness is an issue! Tanzania - local clothing industry shut down by second hand clothing from 1st World.
Small is beaut. Goliath destroys David. Coffee industry benefits big industry. Nestle still markets infant formula in unsterilised areas.

Slogans

  • Growth is good. Unbridled growht is better
  • Capitalism - Democracy
Iran is a Case Study of a generation of damaged children, lack of food, residual weaponry.

IN FACT:

  • Capitalism - War, exploitation
  • Five members of UN Security Council are major arms manufacturers
  • Keynes - developed in war situation. War is good for the economy. Work for all!
  • Globalisation survives on addiction - gamblin, fast food, alcohol, sugar products, drugs.
Capitalism is the bottom line. Anti-globalisation might slow it down, but Capitalism remains.

ACTION?

  • More information wanted on tobin Tax. Has potential to control international speculation.
  • Any takers for village economies, subsistence industries?
  • Need control mechanisms - an international tribunal? International Court of Justice?
  • Emphasis needed on fair trade
Group 2. JOBS
  • Living wage underpinned
  • Maximum work hurs legislated eg France
  • Collective bargaining versus individual
  • Restructuring of the Australian Economy to value a spread of enterprises
  • Recognising the role of unpaid labour
  • Challenging inappropriate government reliance on volunteer / charity work.
Group 3. INDUSTRIES
  • Money to be put into research / development re environmentaly friendly industries eg recycling rubbish tips, reusing water, solar energy / wind power.
  • Limit "perks" by law and police these laws
  • Tree-planting australia wide, Tree-care Australia wide.
  • Development of laws and policing of laws re waste disposal and creative use of waste.
  • Putting money into salination prevention and reinvigorating rivers / land
  • Becoming world leaders re environmetnally friendly practices, reclaim land-use, water-use
  • Can we involve workers / trade unions / farmers / environmentalists / communities in developing cooperative plans.
Group 4. ECONOMIC INEQUALITY
  • Capping executive salaries and bonuses
  • Banning overtime, introduce 35 hour week eg France
  • Indexing rent allownace to compensate for regional cost differences eg Sydney / Hobart / rural.
  • Support of public health care, dental care
  • Increase provision of public housing
  • Provide equality in educaitonal opportunity.
Group 5. TAXES

What taxes are OK?

  • Tobin Tax (0.01% of international currency movements)
  • Charity Tax (Germany)
  • Flat Tax (10%) all income
  • Inheritance (with threshold)
Change Attitude to Tax
  • Oz culture is to avoid tax
  • Trusts / Family companies
How to Control Multi-Naitonals
  • Transfer pricing issues
Political Processes
  • GST has sidetracked reform
  • Need bipartisan / community support.