Drop charges against Austudy Five, say unions

By Joan Doyle

MELBOURNE -- Several unions have called for charges to be dropped against five protesters arrested following a student demonstration here earlier this year.

The Victorian branch of the metalworkers' union (MEWU) has written to Premier Joan Kirner requesting that the charges be dropped. This follows similar calls by the ACT branch of the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance, the NSW branch of the Public Sector Union, the SA Institute of Teachers and the Victorian branch of the tramways union.

The La Trobe University branch of the academics' union (FAUSA) and the Murdoch University and Swinburne TAFE student bodies have also called for the charges to be dropped, as have prominent individuals including journalist John Pilger, independent MP Phil Cleary, actor Genevieve Picot and state public sector union leaders Kay McVey and Janet Good.

The five, who are members of the International Socialist Organisation, will face Brunswick court on November 2, and a committal hearing at Melbourne Magistrates' Court on November 23.

Messages of support and donations towards legal costs may be sent to Defend the Austudy Five, GPO Box 1473N, Melbourne 3001, phone (03) 629 3148.

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