Simply put, the answers to both is the 1983 “Prices and Incomes Accord”.  Deliberately created to reduce the influence of Australia’s organised labour movement the accord was enthusiastically promoted by then ACTU secretary, Bill Kelty.

It was “the Trojan Horse” of the labour movement leading to the continuing decline of conditions of employment, from “world’s best” in 1983 to the disgraceful levels.

Unfortunately, since 1983 the interests of Australian workers have consistently, played second fiddle to the ambitions of ACTU leaders.

Ambitions which include being finally “parachuted into a safe Labor electorate” - see Simon Crean and Andrew Ferguson.  Quite possibly the career path of Ms Mc Manus will follow a similar orbit?

Until then, perhaps she would be well served to review the effect of the 1983 Accord upon conditions of employment for what remains of Australia’s organised labour movement?

Barry Swan Balgownie

Conservatives have succeeded in convincing the weak-minded that government-corporate-partnership- projects, those where the government sets-up corporations stuffed with directors recruited from the private sector; are the universal remedy to economic stability

They are not. Economic growth can only be achieved by conventional means: interaction between government, treasury and public servants (ministerial employees).  Outside appointments funnel taxpayers dollars away from the state into the pockets of wealthy men and women.

This year West Connex Motorway boss Dennis Cliche stands to take home $1.11 million after bonuses - three times as much as the Premier of New South Wales, making him the richest-ever state bureaucrat.

Cliche and the, government appointed six other board members, should not be receiving a cent.

The money squandered should be found in the pay packets of government employees, and finally into the budgets of working households. Another waste of money is the appointment of non-public servants  in other areas.

Look at Infrastructure NSW: The Chairman of the board is also the Chairman of HSBC Bank Australia.  What’s he doing there? The position should be filled from Treasury.

Another director is the managing director of a meat, wool and grain export company.  Ditto the position should be filled with a senior public servant.

This only the tip of the iceberg The whole matter of private recruitment to government boards should be subject to a Royal Commission.

John Macleod,  Berry

I refer to page 3 of the (Illawarra Mercury, June  28, 2017).  I note from the article titled “Ten things we know about the Illawarra from the Census” (2016 ABS Census) that there are 293,494 residents from Helensburgh to Gerringong.

There is apparently other statistical information for this region which suggests that we all have a lot in common, with the exception of the Ccouncils that cover the region and that is another separate entertaining story.

The ABS must know have an idea of how the region should be as their survey was exactly the right coverage for a local government area. And we should amalgamate as statistics don’t lie.

William Short, Russell Vale