Migrant services slashed

PERTH -- In reaction to government cuts to migrant services, around 200 people attended a public meeting on October 7 at the North Perth Town Hall organised by the Coalition for Multicultural Interests. The Refugee Council of WA and 12 ethnic communities are to lose all their funding.

Resolutions adopted by the meeting include organising a protest march to the Department of Immigration later this month.

`Dinosaurs'

BRISBANE -- Members of the Queensland government were “dinosaurs” for not including same-sex couples in proposed amendments to legislation on intestacy in wills, according to Shayne Wilde from the Queensland Association for Gay and Lesbian Rights.

At a protest rally held outside state parliament on October 7, Wilde called for same-sex couples to be treated equally under the law. Amendments to the current law aim to give an increased legacy to the surviving spouse when a member of a heterosexual couple dies without making a will. But neither the state Coalition nor the ALP are willing to change the legislation to incorporate same-sex couples.

Lesbian and gay liberation document launched

PERTH -- In support of Lesbian and Gay Pride celebrations, the Democratic Socialist Party launched its book Socialism and the Struggle for the Rights of Lesbians and Gay Men here on October 4.

Speakers at the launch were Corinne Glenn from the DSP, Chris Brill and Neil Grey from Queer Radical, Justin Harman from Resistance and Democrat MLC Helen Hodgson. Hodgson spoke about the Democrats' bill for equalising the age of consent and extending WA's anti-discrimination legislation to cover sexual orientation.

Queer Radical welcomes all progressive people to join the left contingent in the Lesbian and Gay Pride Parade on October 25.

Anti-racism rally

SYDNEY -- The September 30 meeting of the Campaign Against Racism voted to support the Fight Racism National Conference's call to organise a national day of action around December 10 -- United Nations International Human Rights Day.

CAR will coordinate and seek broad sponsorship for a December 6 rally and march on the theme “Fight Howard and Hanson's Racism! Defend Human Rights!”. The demands adopted by CAR include: Defend native title; No to Howard's 10-point plan; No to the Jabiluka uranium mine; No deportation or detention of refugees; Let the East Timorese stay; No cuts to immigration. To get involved telephone 9294 5577.

Stop woodchipping

PERTH -- More than 500 people gathered in the Perth Town Hall on October 2 to organise against the proposed renewal of the woodchip supply contract between Bunnings and the state government.

Speakers addressed the history of the anti-woodchipping campaign, the Giblett blockade and political lobbying. A slide show exhibiting forests before and after logging was presented.

The focus of the meeting was on boycotting hardware company Bunnings through “direct non-violent action”. Activist packs containing boycott pledge forms and a timetable of pickets outside Bunnings stores were distributed.

Tamil symposium

SYDNEY -- On October 5, the Eelam Tamil Association held a symposium at the University of Western Sydney, dealing with the Tamil national struggle in Sri Lanka and issues confronting expatriate Tamils of Eelam origin. The symposium commemorated 20 years in the life of the Tamil community and the Eelam Tamil Association.

International speakers addressed the political economy dimensions of the peace process and looked at national liberation movements in a global context. Dr S. Sathanandan said that negotiations between the LTTE and the Sri Lankan government have provided it with an excuse for invading the LTTE-occupied territories.

Volunteers in rehabilitation programs in northern Sri Lanka spoke of how the war has made Tamil people homeless in their own land. Activists from East Timor and the Sydney Tamil youth forum stressed linking the struggles of different communities and encouraging young people to become involved in organising these campaigns.

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