Green Left Weekly issue #819 - Australian News en-us Tue, 24 Nov 2009 07:01:10 EST Rudd’s renewable policy not working http://www.greenleft.org.au/2009/819/42110 Portland-based Keppel Prince Engineering, which makes about 40% of Australia’s wind turbine towers, has indicated it may need to lay off 150 staff because of lack of work. Activists protest against Jerusalem Quartet http://www.greenleft.org.au/2009/819/42112 Despite ferociously hot weather, 50 people attended a November 13 protest against the Jerusalem Quartet. The Israeli chamber music group was performing at Adelaide Town Hall. ‘Don’t dump carbon on Indonesia’ http://www.greenleft.org.au/2009/819/42119 About 20 protesters gathered outside the prime minister's office on November 18 to protest against Australia’s “carbon colonialism”, telling Kevin Rudd “Don't dump on Indonesia”. Pacific FTA condemned http://www.greenleft.org.au/2009/819/42118 The Pacific Trade Justice speaking tour, sponsored by AID/WATCH, reached Sydney on November 19, after meetings in Melbourne and Canberra. Pro-choice campaigners target premier’s events http://www.greenleft.org.au/2009/819/42114 Women and men have been picketing events at which Queensland Premier Anna Bligh speaks. They are protesting against Bligh’s refusal to have her attorney-general drop criminal charges against a Cairns couple for allegedly procuring an abortion. Pro-Israeli forces fail to stop Gaza play http://www.greenleft.org.au/2009/819/42116 Friends of Palestine Western Australia performed <EM>Seven Jewish Children</EM> on November 21, after a scheduled performance was cancelled the week before due to pro-Israel pressure. Safe GM crops a fairytale http://www.greenleft.org.au/2009/819/42101 On November 18, 200 people rallied outside the Western Australian parliament to protest against the introduction of genetically modified crops. The state government will decide next year whether to permanently lift the ban on GM crops. Wildcat strike at Sydney’s Ultimo TAFE http://www.greenleft.org.au/2009/819/42113 About 70% of TAFE teachers walked off the job on November 19 as part of a branch-organised wildcat strike.