Australian News

Aboriginal icons destroyed for profit

BRIEF In a November 25 media release, Michael Anderson, a spokesperson for the Gumilaroi Nation, accused the federal and WA state governments of “not having the intestinal fortitude to stand against the multinationals who seek to destroy Aboriginal culture”. He was commenting on the threatened d... » Garret coal comments criticised

BRIEF Comments by Peter Garret, Labor's federal environment spokesperson, that Australia’s coal is a “blessing” to be utilised, were condemned by climate action group Rising Tide Newcastle on December 12. “Apparently”, said Rising Tide’s Steve Phillips, “[Garret] regards... » West Papua independence protest in Canberra

BRIEF On December 1, the anniversary of the 1961 raising of the West Papuan flag, 70 people rallied outside the Indonesian embassy in support of West Papuan independence. » West Papuan flag raised in Newcastle

BRIEF The West Papuan “Morning Star” flew over Newcastle City Hall on December 1, the anniversary of the first official raising of the flag in West Papuan in 1961. The flag raising ceremony was addressed by Greens councillor Michael Osborne and Australian West Papua Association spokesperson Mich... » Six hangings at Baxter detention centre

“Reports from refugee advocates indicate that six people at the Baxter detention centre have attempted to end their lives in separate incidents over the last four days by hanging”, WA group Project SafeCom announced on December 12. “Some of them have also slashed themselves with broke... » Workers mobilise for their rights

Despite generally being smaller in number compared to last year’s November anti-Work Choices protests, many of the November 30 city-wide rallies were as lively. » Ajax Fasteners workers hold sit-in

Workers at the Braeside bolt-making factory of Ajax Fasteners are waging a struggle to protect their redundancy entitlements. The company has gone into liquidation. The workers have been stood down and fear they will soon be sacked. » Court confirms workers' right to protest

A significant ruling in the Federal Court on November 28 upheld the right of workers to use their leave as they see fit. The ruling prevents public sector organisations from issuing blanket bans on when employees can, or cannot, take leave. » Greens gain in Victorian elections

The return of ALP leader Steve Bracks for a third term at the November 25 Victorian election was less a vote for the state ALP government than a vote against the federal Coalition government. » Iraqi refugee executed on return

In a November 27 media release, the WA-based Project SafeCom refugee right group, renewed its call for the abolition of Australia’s temporary protection visa (TPV) regime following a report in the same day’s Australian newspaper that an Iraqi asylum-seeker sent home by Australian officials... » Library backs down on anti-gay DVD

On November 23, the SX News websire reported that Penrith City Library, in far western Sydney, had tentatively rejected a DVD promoting the “ex-gat movement” donated to its collection by the right-wing Christian Democratic Party. » N30: Slavery on the Gold Coast

Four thousand Gold Coast workers rallied on November 30, in one of the biggest protests ever seen in the city. Even threatening grey skies didn’t lessen the turn-out. However, threatening business owners and bosses did cause the numbers to dwindle as 9am approached and many were forced to leave fo... » Second legal victory against Godrey Hirst AWA

On December 11 the Textile Clothing and Footwear Union said that the Australian Industrial Relations Commission’s (AIRC) second consecutive rejection of carpet manufacturer Godfrey Hirst’s sub-standard AWA (individual contract) is a clear message for the company to scrap it plans to strip ... » UWS board backs down

Pressure from workers and students forced the University of Western Sydney’s Board of Trustees to review its rejection of a $250,000 SRC funding proposal on November 29. The proposal is designed to help UWS Student Association (UWSSA) survive federal “voluntary student unionism” (VSU)... »

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Can you lend us your ute?

Corrections

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