HOW ABOUT INJECTION OF COMMONSENSE

We never knew that John Howard took so seriously Australia's compliance
with the dictates of international bodies.

Presumably he will revoke the 1996 Reith industrial relations legislation,
which has been found to be contrary to Australia's obligations under the
rules of the International Labour Organisation.

And he will also seek to incorporate into Australian law our obligations
under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the myriad other
conventions on human rights which our laws regularly flout. We can expect
any day now a stern letter from him to the NSW Premier, requesting the
withdrawal of the recent NSW Government legislation that gives police
unbelievable powers to control teenagers, as being in breach of our
obligations under the international convention on the rights of the child.

But then again, pigs might fly.

Les MacDonald
Balmain