Action updates

ADELAIDE — Approximately 5000 people participated in a rally organised by the United Trades and Labour Council against changes to WorkCover at Parliament House on December 10.

CANBERRA — The national meeting of the Australia-Vietnam Society on November 7 called for the US to proceed with an early normalisation of relations with Vietnam. AVS national chairperson Tom Uren said he hoped that the election of Bill Clinton would speed up the ending of the trade embargo against Vietnam.

• Sponsored by the Department of Political and Social Change at the Australian National University, the third Vietnam Update conference was held here on November 6. Although catering primarily for Australian business, the conference included informative papers on the changes in health care by Dr Suki Allen and the July national assembly elections by Associate Professor Carlyle Thayer.

MELBOURNE — Some 160 people enjoyed a delicious Thai meal and were treated to some very funny and thought provoking entertainment at a dinner in Melbourne on November 7. The evening was a huge success, raising $1700 for Green Left Weekly. Special guest Daska Saleeba, a talented feminist performer, helped enhance the social and political atmosphere of the evening for everyone in some colourful and warm surroundings.

PERTH — Work resumed at the Old Swan Brewery site on November 12 after the exhaustion of legal avenues to oppose the redevelopment. A picket line continues in spite of a greatly increased police presence, including horses and trucks. A concert is being held at Supreme Court Gardens, on Saturday, November 21, to raise funds for sacred sites protection.

From GLW issue 80