News briefs

International bisexual conference

The Australian Bisexual Network (ABN) is looking for financial support to send bisexual activists to the International Bisexual Symposium '96 in Berlin in late May. The ABN hope that three activists will be able to join ABN co-convener Wayne Hall in attending the conference, through assistance with funding, sponsorship or donations. For more information, telephone Wayne Hall or Kate Hickson, (07) 3857 2500.

Commuters stranded

ADELAIDE — Bus commuters in the northern suburbs have been running late or left stranded following the beginning of new services on January 12. In 1995 the state Liberal government contracted out the main northern and southern suburban bus services as part of its overall cost cutting. The tender for the southern service was won by Transadelaide, a corporatised public sector body. The northern service contract went to the private company SERCO, which has also attempted to take over administrative operations in schools. During its first week of operation, SERCO has consistently run late. SERCO blames the problems on sabotage. The yellow route indicators have been removed from many roads, leaving passengers to direct the drivers, and sand has been found in petrol. The SERCO contract was won on the grounds that it would provide an efficient service.