News briefs #5

Howard chased off campus

CANBERRA — Prime Minister John Howard's attempt to launch the Coalition's new policy on research and development funding at the CSIRO on May 6 was gatecrashed by 150 angry students and activists from the Australian National University and the University of Canberra.

After activists chanted their way into the building, the event moved to a more "secure" location.

James Caulfield

15,000 march for Labour Day

BRISBANE — Around 15,000 unionists marched on May 3, under the theme "Union rights are human rights".

Large union contingents carried banners and placards proclaiming support for Medicare; calling for an end to cuts in public services; and condemning the Howard government's anti-worker policies.

A big banner stating "When nurses win, you win" led a sizeable Queensland Nurses Union contingent and a noisy Socialist Alliance contingent called for troops out of Iraq and support for the Palestinian people.

Bill Mason

From Green Left Weekly, May 19, 2004.

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From GLW issue 582