GLW issue 832, published 2010-03-31.

MUA rally for Rio Tinto workers

PERTH — Construction, mining, maritime and metal workers rallied outside the Sheraton Hotel on March 23 while chief executive of mining giant Rio Tinto Iron Ore, Sam Walsh, hosted a business breakfast for Rio bosses.

Socialists campaign for climate in poll

Socialist Alliance ran two candidates in the Tasmanian state elections on March 20. Melanie Barnes in the Hobart seat of Denison and Jenny Forward in the Kingston seat of Franklin campaigned for urgent action on climate change and to increase funding to public services.

Protest opposes US wars

SYDNEY — A model drone, Guantanamo-style orange jump suits and many colourful banners were part of a 100-strong protest to mark the seventh anniversary of the invasion of Iraq (timed to coincide with the visit of US President Barack Obama that was subsequently cancelled).

Indigenous activist to run for Senate

BRISBANE — On March 23, Sam Watson was preselected to lead the Socialist Alliance Senate team for Queensland in the upcoming federal elections.

Further

Australian News

Black deaths in custody: a deadly emerging pattern

In what is emerging as a deadly pattern in Western Australia, a 39-year-old Aboriginal prisoner died tragically in Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital on March 22, after laying for several days in a brain-dead state.

Aboriginal passports for Merak refugees

The following is a statement from the Refugee Action Collective (Victoria).

Further Australian News

International News

Eyewitness to Nepal's revolution (with video)

Ben Peterson is an activist with the socialist youth organisation Resistance and the Socialist Alliance who spent four-and-half-months in Nepal last year. In New Zealand for a March 21-26 speaking tour, Peterson spoke to UNITYblog, run by Socialist Worker New Zealand, about his experiences in Nepal — where a mass movement brought down a centuries-old monarchy, established a republic in 2008, and the poor continue to struggle for genuine democracy and social justice.

Corporations lead African land grab

More than 20 African countries are selling or leasing land for intensive agriculture on a shocking scale in what may be the greatest change of ownership since the colonial era, a March 10 Alternet.org article said.

Further International News

Comment and Analysis

Indonesian solidarity with Merak refugees

In the past year in Indonesia, almost 3000 asylum seekers have been stopped from heading to Australia, the Herald Sun said on March 23. The Australian government does not care what happens to these people, who are often detained in horrific conditions or deported back to unsafe countries.

Fred Paterson and parliament

On March 23, Ewan Saunders was preselected as Socialist Alliance candidate for the seat of Brisbane in the upcoming federal election. Saunders is Queensland co-convenor of SA and is studying occupational therapy at the University of Queensland.

Further Comment and Analysis

Letters

Write On

Israel's state terrorists The recent revelations that Israeli state terrorists used four forged Australian passports to assassinate a Palestinian official in Dubai, and that Mossad has regularly faked Australian passports for criminal purposes,

General

We kid you not: Banks price gouge for Australia

Banks' price gouging profit bonanza "The Australia Institute has picked the week of another increase in mortgage rates to launch what it claims to be a comprehensive history of the price gouging habits of the big four banks. "Not only have [the

Green Left fighting fund: Economic crisis a bonanza for the socially irresponsible rich

What would be the cost of eradicating poverty in this country? What would be the cost of solving homelessness or unemployment? Could Australia afford to provide universal, free healthcare and education? Is there enough material wealth here to move to a safe, low-carbon economy?

Further General

Resistance!

Council to remove only legal graffiti wall

Newcastle City Council voted on March 16 to close down the South Newcastle Beach legal graffiti wall. This is Newcastle’s sole legal graffiti wall. The only vote against the motion was from Greens councillor Michael Osborne.

Homophobia's got to go!

On March 20, 500 equal marriage rights activists rallied in Sydney once more as part of the 2010 National Year of Action for marriage equality. Ten speakers from diverse political and personal backgrounds addressed a loyal crowd eager to share in their stories and views.

Cultural Dissent

South Sydney's poet

Johnny Ray’s Downtown
By Perry Keyes
CD, Laughing Outlaw Records
www.perrykeyes.com, $24.95

Celebration of selfless solidarity

San Patricio
By The Chieftains featuring Ry Cooder
CD, Fantasy/Concord

Further Cultural Dissent

Struggles of Indian students in...

FEATURED CONTENT

Billionaire Rinehart's media control bid reveals corporate influence

Above: GetUp! released video showing professional climate change denier "Lord" Christopher Monkton advising a room full of mining executives on how the industry must gain control of Australia's media. This week mining billionaire Gina Rinehart became the largest shareholder in the Fairfax media conglomerate, having already bought a stake in Channel Ten.