BY SHANE BENTLEY
NEWCASTLE — Friday July 13 was an unlucky day for federal defence minister Peter Reith. Newcastle business leaders were not the only people he met at the Forgacs Dockyard in Carrington.
More than 100 Forgacs workers, members of the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union and the Maritime Union of Australia, vented their anger against Reith. Protesters highlighted his previous role as workplace relations minister during the 1998 maritime dispute and his 1996 anti-union Workplace Relations Act.
Many believe that Reith's decision to retire is designed to protect the Liberals, given the possibility of more information about Reith's role in the waterfront dispute reaching the public.
Reith, accompanied by Liberal Senator John Tierney, attempted to slip out of a back gate, only to be met by the angry unionists. The cars containing the Liberal entourage received a "car wash" composed of chocolate milk, bananas, banners and the occasional protester on the bonnet.
Newcastle Trades Hall Council Secretary Gary Kennedy tried to calm down what was meant to be a "peaceful send-off".
Tierney has lodged a complaint with police and has vowed to view media footage to identify the "car washers".