The long process of achieving an enterprise agreement is nearly finished. An amended draft that includes the conditions of the NSW Clerical Award but with the pay rises of the editorial enterprise agreement is ready for approval by members employed as editorial assistants and coordinators. The draft of the full agreement, a summary and the latest ACP Bulletin are all available for download below:

• ACP Bulletin 070330
• Full Draft Agreement
• Agreement Summary

The Alliance has written to the Attorney General and the federal Opposition legal affairs spokesman requesting a meeting to discuss the need for proper legislative protection of whistleblowers, following this week’s conviction of former customs officer Allan Kessing, whose leaked information lead to the biggest overhaul of airport security in Australia’s history.

“We must recognise the importance of protecting journalists’ sources and ensuring the correct balance between matters of national and public interest,” says Alliance Federal Secretary Chris Warren. “The conviction of Allan Kessing sounds a warning for Australian journalists about the increasing criminalisation of their daily work, and strikes at the very heart of press freedom,” Read letter to Attorney General here... and Opposition legal affairs spokesman here...

The Alliance has written to the Prime Minister in support of calls from News Ltd and Fairfax for larger diplomatic aircraft to accommodate journalists covering diplomatic visits, following the tragic Yogyakarta plane crash earlier this month. Journalist Morgan Mellish and DFAT embassy spokeswoman Liz O’Neill lost their lives, and Cynthia Banham, also a journalist, was horrifically injured  when their aircraft went down. The trio were covering the diplomatic visit of Foreign Minister Alexander Downer.

“Coverage of ministerial visits is, without question, a vital part of the democratic process, connecting the public to the actions of their government. The attendance of the media is inextricably tied to the effectiveness and purpose of such visits,” says Alliance Federal Secretary Chris Warren. “However, the government cannot expect journalists to follow ministerial movements where there is a real risk to their safety. It is critical, in the interests of personal safety, and indeed the broader public interest, that the media be afforded basic safe travel.” Read the letter here.

The Alliance congratulates the winners of the 2006 Tasmania Media Awards. In their 30th year, the Awards recognise excellence across a range of categories, and celebrate the highest standards of professionalism. The Australian’s Matthew Denholm took the Keith Welsh Award for Outstanding Contribution to Journalism, and also received the Best News Story Award. The ABC’s Jocelyn Nettlefold scored an all-round hat trick, winning awards for Excellence in Electronic Journalism, Reporting on Cultural Diversity in Tasmania and Sports Reporting. For a full list of winners click here.

Australia’s Freedom of Information (FoI) laws have been seriously undermined by the increasing failure of governments to live up to their spirit and intent, the Alliance says. Friday, 9 March 2007, marks the 25th anniversary of the Fraser Government’s assent to the FoI Act. The Howard Government is undermining the Act by using conclusive certificates to prevent access to documents. This was highlighted in the case of McKinnon v Treasury, heard in the High Court last year. Read the Alliance release here.

The ABC Alliance National Delegates conference was held on the 26th and 27th February. An Alliance delegate from the Brisbane newsroom reported on the situation in Brisbane and the conference passed a resolution in support of their Brisbane colleagues. Quentin Dempster addressed the conference on threat advertising poses to the ABC in particular ABC online,  ABC delegates reaffirmed their support for a commercial free ABC. The conference also saw the release of the ABC Work Survey. Downloads: Brisbane Resolution; Support for a commercial free ABC; ABC Work Survey.

For more information on the ABC National Delegates Conference please contact your Alliance Delegate, Organiser or the Alliance Information Desk 1300 65 65 12.