Action updates

ADELAIDE — A petition opposing the federal government proposal to increase the pension eligibility age for women to 65 has received an enthusiastic response here over the last few weeks. A national campaign has been launched by the Combined Pensioners and Superannuants Association to oppose this proposal.

BRISBANE — A small but vocal demonstration on March 4 demanded an end to the Goss government's health cuts, in particular to the Biala alcohol and drug rehabilitation centre, which was reduced from 29 beds to 6 in January. The demonstration, organised by the Biala and Wacol Support Group marched from Biala to the State Health Centre, where petitions were presented to a representative of the health minister. The demonstration then moved to the city mall, where a speak-out was held.

MELBOURNE — More than 2000 teachers from 50 schools in Victoria have taken stop-work action in the past three weeks in response to the Directorate of School Education making further cuts to teacher numbers. The campaign calls for branch and cluster action, but a number of branches in the Western Region are soon to take united action.

PERTH — Unemployed school teachers protested at the headquarters of the Education Department on March 2. The protesters entered the building with their banners. About 3000 graduate and temporary teachers are out of work in Western Australia.

From GLW issue 134