GLW issue 798, published 2009-06-17.

Qld abortion debate heats up

Last week was one of much activity in the regional city of Cairns, as the push for abortion law reform in the state shows no sign of slowing down.

Thousands rally for 100% renewables by 2020

Thousands took the streets on June 13 for the National Climate Emergency Rallies. Protesters declared a climate emergency and demanded the Australian government take emergency action on climate change.

Nigeria: Shell found guilt of human rights abuses, murder

This article is abridged from Oil Change International.

Break ties with apartheid Israel!

“Hey Gillard, you can’t hide! You support genocide!” chanted protesters outside the June 11 Australia-Israel Chamber of Commerce luncheon in Sydney. The luncheon was addressed by deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard.

Further

Australian News

Rally for Ark Tribe

More than 200 supporters chanted “One law for all!” as construction worker Ark Tribe entered Elizabeth Magistrates Court through an arc of union flags and banners on June 9. He faces charges that could lead to a six-month jail term or a $22,000 fine.

Tieman workers stand united

Ninety workers stopped work on June 10 across the three manufacturing sites of Tieman Industries in a battle for a new collective bargaining agreement. Among their demands are a 36-hour week — in effect a nine-day fortnight — a better redundancy clause and a decent wage increase.

Further Australian News

International News

Peru: Battle for the Amazon

Peruvian President Alan Garcia ordered a violent crackdown on indigenous protesters near the town of Bagua Grande, 1400 kilometres north of Peruvian capital Lima. Special Forces opened fire, including from helicopters.

Venezuela condemns Peruvian massacires

In response to the fatal clashes between indigenous protesters and the Peruvian government, Venezuela’s foreign ministry has released a statement expressing its solidarity with both the security forces and the indigenous people killed. Venezuelan indigenous affairs minister Nicia Maldonado called the Peruvian government’s violent repression “terrorism”.

Further International News

Comment and Analysis

The recession we (didn't quite) have to have?

On June 3, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) released its estimates of the national accounts for Australia for the January-March quarter. Following on from a small overall drop in gross domestic product (GDP) of 0.6% for the December quarter, a fall in the March quarter would mean that Australia had entered a “technical” recession.

Gov't backdown on super

On May 29, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd told radio 3AW that his government has “absolutely no plans to make any change” to the superannuation preservation age — the age at which workers may access the superannuation paid into a super fund by their employer.

Further Comment and Analysis

General

Green Left Weekly Fighting Fund: Racism in the inbox

Recent protests by Indian students in Australia have drawn global attention to a resurgence of racist violence in Australian cities. An Indian student lies in a Melbourne hospital recovering from serious stab wounds to his abdomen, while others live in terror.

Resistance!

Living with Australia's highest rents

Over the past year and a half, Australia’s rental crisis has hit Canberra especially hard. The nation’s capital has the highest rents in the country.

Indian students organise against racism

Green Left Weekly’s Chris Peterson spoke to Indian student and Resistance activist Ajay Kumar who took part in the 5000-strong anti-racist protest in Melbourne on May 31.

Further Resistance!

Billionaires demand profits before...

Cultural Dissent

Muzzling the Chaser — the politics behind the outrage

The Chaser comedy team had its top-rating show, The Chaser’s War on Everything, suspended by the ABC for two weeks after an outcry over a sketch screened on June 3 that joked about the Make a Wish Foundation charity for sick children.

Activist's legacy lives on

My Name is Rachel Corrie
From the writings of Rachel Corrie, edited by Alan Rickman and Katharine Viner
Directed by Shannon Murphy
With Belinda Bromilow
Seymour Centre, Sydney until June 20
Tickets from $20
Visit www.seymour.usyd.edu.au/boxoffice/bite_rachel09.shtml

Further Cultural Dissent

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