Carr costs Labor

By Chris Spindler SYDNEY — After almost 12 months in office, the Carr government in NSW seems to be costing the Labor Party. Labor's electoral popularity has plummeted. A recent Herald-AGB poll found that the Carr government's performance made 31% of voters more likely to vote for the Coalition. Only 10% said they would be more likely to vote Labor. These results are not surprising given state Labor's record on industrial relations and its cutbacks to welfare and health, despite its pre-election promises. Industrial action is set to increase as a result of the government's push to privatise and contract out sections of TAFE, the Adult English Migrant Service, the gas corporation and electricity services, as well as its resistance to teachers' 12% wage claim. Cuts to services have hit poorer areas harder. The government has withdrawn 9500 free travel passes from students in 150 schools in Sydney's west and south-west to save $100 million per year. It is likely that services for students from Wollongong and Newcastle will also be slashed.