Critical Times

Australian rock legend and original ‘working class man’ Jimmy Barnes and his band will play live to workers and families at the MCG on November 30 as part of a nation-wide day of protest against the Federal Government’s industrial relations laws the ACTU announced today.

Jimmy Barnes and his band will be a key part of the line-up for the November 30 protest against the Government’s IR laws which will be broadcast live from the MCG across Australia.

Unions expect the MCG rally and broadcast on 30 November will be one of Australia’s biggest ever community protests with more than half a million people expected to participate nationally.

The focus of the day will be an Australia-wide Hook-up – a series of community rallies in major cities and hundreds of regional centres across Australia linked up via a satellite broadcast from a major rally at the MCG in Melbourne.

The MCG Rally will be televised and broadcast live to simultaneous rallies in Sydney, Canberra, Adelaide, Hobart, Brisbane, Perth Darwin and more than three hundred community meetings in regional centres.

ACTU Secretary Greg Combet said:

“This event will possibly be Australia’s biggest ever national protest and rock performance.

Jimmy Barnes was an obvious choice for us because of his music’s huge public appeal and because he is a truly iconic Aussie rock star.

His songs tap into essential Australian values of a ‘fair go’ and ‘if you work hard you can get ahead’.

‘Working Class Man’ is an absolute classic that I’m sure will get everyone on their feet and jumping.

We definitely wanted Jimmy Barnes but it is fantastic that he also wanted to do something for us.

Jimmy is worried about the impact of IR laws on Australian families and our national values.

It is great that he has agreed to support our campaign to protect the rights of working Australians,” said Mr. Combet.

The MCG Rally starts at 8.30am with gates open from 7am – entry is free and all are welcome.

“Make sure you arrive early to get a seat is my advice – you don’t want to miss this,” said Mr. Combet.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Thu Nov 30, 2006

ADELAIDE: Elder Park, Thursday November 30, commencing at 8am, SA time.

The rally at Elder Park finishes at 9.30 followed by a march to Rundle Park for a concert until 12 noon.

Please arrive at around 8am. The rally will be finished by 10am.