Australian news

GLW Issue 60

Young people face growing poverty

Young people face growing poverty By Sean Malloy Youth unemployment has reached a rate of 34.1%. Paul Keating argues that it is really only 10% while he organises a hasty unemployment summit to be held next month. Keating argued that the

Studded belts now 'weapons'

Studded belts now 'weapons' By Pip Hinman MELBOURNE — A decision to charge a receptionist with possession of a regulated weapon by Magistrate Peter Couzens has outraged and amazed the gay and lesbian community, among others. The "weapon"

Open door for nuclear waste

Open door for nuclear waste CANBERRA — The Senate has passed a bill which will allow Australia to become an international nuclear waste dump, says Greenpeace. The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Bill, supported on June 18 by the

Indonesian campaigner to attend

Indonesian campaigner to attend By Michael Tardif Prominent Indonesian political activist Helmi Fauzi will attend the Resistance national conference in Melbourne. Fauzi is in Australia as a guest of Resistance, the Environmental Youth

Rally for abortion rights in ACT

Rally for abortion rights in ACT By Sue Bolton CANBERRA — "No cop-outs, no committees, we've waited long enough" was the chant from the crowd as Wayne Berry, minister for health, introduced the Termination of Pregnancy (Repeal) Bill in the

Melbourne privatisation protest

Melbourne privatisation protest By Michelle Hovane MELBOURNE — Passers-by the Regent Hotel early on June 15 were confronted by the spectacle of "Premier Kirner" cosying up to a rambunctious "John Elliott" in a double bed. Clicking her

Telecom workers fight job cuts

By Steve Painter Telecom workers are preparing for a prolonged struggle over the organisation's plans to cut its workforce by about 15%. Telecom (AOTC) management has already announced a cut of 4400 jobs over the next year, about 6% of the

Safety concerns at Robe River

Safety concerns at Robe River KARRATHA, WA — Workers at Robe River Iron Associates are concerned about safety following a series of dangerous accidents. WA Trades and Labor Council organiser Dave McLane says Robe's accident rate appears to be

Liberals' BWIU ban illegal

Liberals' BWIU ban illegal By Steve Painter SYDNEY — In another blow to the accident-prone Greiner government, some aspects of its ban on government departments dealing with the Building Workers Industrial Union have been ruled illegal by

Greiner on the ropes over corruption

By Steve Painter SYDNEY — Despite declarations that he will fight it out, NSW Premier Nick Greiner will probably fall as a result of an Independent Commission Against Corruption finding that he acted corruptly. The finding concerned

GLW Issue 61

Newcastle bus drivers angry over deal

By Steve Painter SYDNEY — A blazing row has erupted between Sydney and Newcastle officials of the bus workers' union (ATMOEA) over a deal struck by Sydney officials with the Department of Transport. The deal was accepted by a majority at a

Brewery protests continue

Brewery protests continue By Leon Harrison PERTH — The WA Labor government is in bed with Multiplex boss John Roberts over the development of the old Swan brewery site, well-known environmentalist and former union leader Jack Mundey told a

Hamersley strike defends union rights

By Jonathan Strauss PERTH — A two-week strike by 2200 Pilbara mineworkers is likely to spread to other workplaces of Hamersley Iron parent company CRA. The strike, against the employment of a non-unionist at the Tom Price mine, has cost the

National incest survivors conference

National incest survivors conference By Rose McCann SYDNEY — The first Women's National Incest Survivors Confest will be held on July 10-12 at the University of NSW. It is organised by women who consider themselves part of the grassroots

NOWSA conference set

NOWSA conference set By Annabelle Crabb ADELAIDE — One of the year's most important dates for Australian student women is the annual NOWSA (Network of Women Students in Australia) conference. This year's conference will be held here July

ACT women score abortion rights victory

ACT women score abortion rights victory CANBERRA — On June 23, the ACT Legislative Assembly voted by 10 to 7 to repeal 1978 legislation banning the establishment of a free-standing abortion clinic in the territory. An estimated 2000 women

UNE students call national day of Action

UNE students call national day of Action LISMORE — Students at the University of New England - Northern Rivers have called a national day of action to protest against attacks on Austudy and the running down of education in general. The

Talking union

MELBOURNE — A meeting of 400 public sector union delegates on June 23 called for a public campaign to oppose privatisation, corporatisation, the use of contractors and public sector cuts. The delegates called for a series of meetings and

Children's exhibition launched

Children's exhibition launched By Bill Mason BRISBANE — Residents here have been the first to view a national exhibition of drawings by refugee children from Croatia, Bosnia-Hercegovina and the Nagyatad refugee camp in Hungary. The 250

Cops broke law on Aidex protesters

By Peter Chiltern Federal Police broke the law by handing over a list of 238 protesters arrested at the November 1991 Aidex armaments exhibition in Canberra, says a report to federal parliament by Human Rights Commission privacy commissioner

SA employers ask for handouts

SA employers ask for handouts By Craig McLeod ADELAIDE — South Australia currently has the highest unemployment rate of any state, with working-class areas such as Noarlunga, Salisbury and Elizabeth hardest hit. In May, SA had 74,585 on

Publication schedule

Publication schedule Because many of the people involved in the production and distribution of Green Left will be attending the Resistance conference in Melbourne, we are not publishing a paper next week. The next issue will be the one dated July

Rochedale dump 'legal'

Rochedale dump 'legal' By Bill Mason BRISBANE — "We will never give up trying to stop the dump. We won't give up until we've at least we've got a wider buffer zone", Glenys Head, spokesperson for Rochedale residents fighting a proposed

Telecom workers vote for industrial campaign

By Steve Painter Telecom workers at mass meetings around the country have voted for an industrial campaign over management plans to cut its work force by 4400, with further cuts expected. Up to 12,000 jobs may be threatened in the medium term.

Tas log hauliers fight APPM

Tas log hauliers fight APPM By Sam Wainright and Natasha Simons HOBART — Three log trucks are parked outside state parliament in a protest by log hauliers in the wake of the Burnie paper mill dispute. Log truck drivers and owners from

Funding cuts hit community services

By Sean Lennon MELBOURNE — As Premier Joan Kirner held her mini-summit on youth unemployment on June 25, a crowd of around 200 people demonstrated on the steps of the state parliament. The rally, organised by an umbrella group called CRICIS

Refugees describe Serbian terror

By Linda Paric MELBOURNE — Maria Puric, a middle-aged woman, lost everything she owned, as well as family and friends, in the town that was once Vukovar. Vida and Mato Vulic are both in their 60s; everything they owned was left in the town of

After Greiner, ICAC next to go?

By Steve Painter SYDNEY — In the tumult surrounding the Metherell corruption scandal and the June 24 forced resignation of NSW premier Nick Greiner, Michael Yabsley, the loudest of several loose cannons crashing about the deck of the NSW

GLW Issue 62

New Zealand's new politics

By Lenore Tardif MELBOURNE — Australian Liberals and the New Right have looked to New Zealand, and the economic policies of both National and Labour governments, as a possible model for what they would like to do here. But the New Zealand

Rail workers fight for jobs

Rail workers fight for jobs By Steve Painter SYDNEY — Industrial action is to continue in NSW over State Rail Authority (SRA) plans to shed about 5000 jobs, says railways union (ARU) state vice-president Andrew Baker. Several days of

Forum praised on environment

Forum praised on environment Greenpeace has welcomed the emphasis of the South Pacific Forum, just concluded, on environmental issues, but says there is still a long way to go. "The South Pacific leaders know that environmental issues are not

Queensland forests 'cleared like Amazon'

Queensland forests 'cleared like Amazon' By Bill Mason BRISBANE — Queensland is losing proportionately as much forest and woodland each year through clearing as the Amazon basin of South America, according to state officials. Queensland

Young people reject 'youth slavery' plans

By Peter Boyle Official unemployment for June reached a postwar record high of 11.1% nationally, up from 10.6% the previous month. In South Australia the jobless rate was 12.5%, in Victoria 11.9% and in Tasmania 11.8%. Unemployment among

10,000 march against privatisation

10,000 march against privatisation By Peter Boyle MELBOURNE — The Kirner Labor government's program of public asset sales and corporatisation and commercialisation of the public sector was "paving the way" for the next Liberal government's

Forest protesters bamboo the Regent

Forest protesters bamboo the Regent By Steve Painter SYDNEY — Rainforest activists planned to erect a symbolic bamboo barricade across the entrance to the Sydney Regent hotel on July 13 in a re-enactment of a similar protest at the

Social justice rally planned

By Martin Mulligan MELBOURNE — Encouraged by the response to the campaign of Phil Cleary in the Wills by-election, political activists here are planning a rally for social and economic justice on October 10. This is expected to be close to

Cleary urges 'progressive independent' candidates

Cleary urges 'progressive independent' candidates By Pip Hinman MELBOURNE — "The ALP has lost its way and the Opposition is a joke," Phil Cleary, independent MP for Wills, told a public meeting of about 200 people on July 9. The meeting on

Resistance says it's time to act

By Deb Sorensen MELBOURNE — As increasing public attention focuses on youth anger over persistent unemployment, Resistance held its 21st national conference here on July 4-6. Young activists came from across the country to plan action around

Affirmative action under review

Affirmative action under review By Monique Choy SYDNEY — Proposed changes to the Affirmative Action Act will shortly be presented to federal parliament. Earlier this year, interest groups and individuals participated in discussions around

Fahey bashes building union

Fahey bashes building union By Steve Painter SYDNEY — The minority Liberal government of NSW, under new Premier John Fahey, is preparing legal action for deregistration of the Building Workers Industrial Union (BWIU) in line with a

Talking union

Airport transport workers have accepted a 6% wage rise following strike action last week by aircraft refuellers and tanker drivers. The strike was the third major action in 18 months over award restructuring in the industry. PERTH — The

16-year-old retail worker

A 16-year-old retail worker currently earns $192 a week, rising to $346 at the age of 20. Under Hewson's plan, this person old would get only $114 a week, and 18-20-year-olds would get $133. Peter Ritchie, the managing director of McDonald's fast

High Court challenge to Cleary

High Court challenge to Cleary By Peter Boyle MELBOURNE — The High Court will hear a challenge to left independent Phil Cleary's victory in the April by-election for former prime minister Bob Hawke's Victorian seat of Wills. The

Chadwick backs down on syllabus

By Rose McCann SYDNEY — NSW education minister Virginia Chadwick has backed away from changes to the years 7-10 geography syllabus after an unrepresentative elite of private school principals rammed through a number of amendments. The course

GLW Issue 63

Century of the child

Century of the child em = By Denis Kevans If you could look into their eyes as I do every day, You wouldn't write the things you write, or say the things you say, You wouldn't put these children down, and bruise their tender pride, And

Students, Science and Sustainability

Students, Science and Sustainability BRISBANE — The second "Students, Science and Sustainability" Conference, held at Griffith University July 15-17, drew between 150 and 200 students from around the country. The conference was organised

Thousands march for Macedonia

WOLLONGONG — One of the biggest marches here in recent years occurred on Sunday, July 12. As part of an international day of protest, 4000 people marched down the main street of Wollongong to show their support for the recognition of an

Guatemalan Indian speaks

Guatemalan Indian speaks By Bill Mason BRISBANE — Federico Gomez, a Mayan Indian from Guatemala, launched his national tour of Australia here from July 14-19, to represent 500 Years of Indigenous, Black and Popular Resistance in Latin

Top tax avoiders

Top tax avoiders The Australian Taxation Office recovered an additional $1.2 billion in tax last financial year from the country's top 100 companies. The results come from the ATO's "large-case audit program", set up in 1988. The ATO plans to

Columbus, without embellishments

Columbus By Felipe Fernandez-Armesto Oxford University Press. 218 pp. $16.95 Reviewed by Mario Giorgetti On the morning of August 3, 1492, Christopher Columbus sailed his three caravelles, the Niña, Pinta, and Santa Maria, west across

Peace activists freed from US jails

Peace activists freed from US jails By Bill Mason BRISBANE — Ciaron O'Reilly and Moana Cole, peace activists from Brisbane, have been released from prisons in the US after serving year-long sentences for damaging a B-52 bomber and a runway

Resistance gathering 'best yet'

By Sean Malloy MELBOURNE — "There is a real sentiment of seriousness amongst young people today. We know we can't play at politics, because it really is our lives and the lives of many others and the future of the planet at stake", said Kylie

Newcastle drivers lose conditions

Newcastle drivers lose conditions By Tim E. Stewart NEWCASTLE — In a "sad day" for public transport, bus workers "have agreed to suffer in order to keep buses on the road", local bus workers' official Dave Winwood told a 150-strong public

For the New Republic(s)

For the New Republic(s) em = By Linda Martin The right wing and its apologists (I do not count myself amongst them unless stranded on the fence) admired Mrs Thatcher's strength Who else they say could mend the tears in imperialism's

Protests planned at 'Aidex on wings'

By Bronwen Beechey MELBOURNE — Peace, environment and solidarity groups will be joining together between October 21 and 25 to demonstrate against an event that has been described as "Aidex on wings". The Australian Air Show and Aerospace

Ending the love affair with the car

The Cars That Ate Paris A mini-opera based on the film of the same name by Peter Weir Stage adaptation and direction by Douglas Horton Presented by Chamber Made Opera at Ensign Smash Repairs, 610 Smith Street, Clifton Hill, Melbourne, until

Poetry of conscience

Poetry of conscience From the Republic of Conscience: An international anthology of poetry Edited by Kerry Flattley and Chris Wallace-Crabbe Aird Books in association with Amnesty International 192 pp. $16.95 Reviewed by Mario Giorgetti

Residents reject Altona refinery expansion

By Jo Brown MELBOURNE—A July 16 public meeting of about 500, mostly local, residents at the Williamstown Town Hall rejected the planned expansion of the Mobil Altona refinery. The meeting was called by Mobil and the government in response

Reappraising ockerdom

Reappraising ockerdom Following the success of last year's inaugural festival, the 1992 Australian Film Festival opens around Australia on July 23. Each state has its own program of public screenings and events between July and September.

Damsels Be Damned

SYDNEY — Damsels Be Damned, a feminist rewriting of fairytales with the logic of a dream, is one of the short films on offer in the "Love Bites" festival of short films showing July 25 and 26 at Balmain Town Hall and August 1 and 2 at the Bondi

Hundreds at successful NOWSA conference

By Kath Gelber ADELAIDE — More than 350 women from around the country gathered here for a very successful Network of Women Students in Australia Conference from July 7 to 10. The four days were packed with speakers on a range of topics,

Alternative entertainment for young people

By Katrina Newton and Loretta Asquini MELBOURNE — It's no secret that our society has a very contradictory attitude towards young people. On the one hand, youth is idealised and revered by the mainstream media, yet in reality, young people

The recycled experience

By Tracy Sorensen SYDNEY — While participants can "expect the unexpected" at a one-off "happening" at the Pod Gallery in Darlinghurst on September 19, artist Cat Miller can name some things that will definitely be there: a recycled fashion

Aborigines reject heritage amendments

Aborigines reject heritage amendments By Leon Harrison PERTH — Western Australian Aboriginal communities and the Aboriginal Legal Service have condemned the state government's proposed Aboriginal Heritage (Amendment) Bill. In the words

GLW Issue 64

Summit endorses starvation wages

By Sean Malloy CANBERRA — The July 22 youth jobs summit took a step forward the Keating government's plans to hide youth unemployment under compulsory "training" and starvation level wages. The gathering formalised proposals outlined in the

Grey-haired youth representatives

Grey-haired youth representatives By John Smith CANBERRA — Prominent at the jobs summit was an organisation that most people had not heard of before: the Australian Youth Policy and Action Coalition (AYPAC). The young people who attended

Help Green Left get around!

This week, supporters of Green Left Weekly launched an ambitious national campaign to take the circulation of the paper to a new level. The aim of the campaign, to get 1000 new subscribers over the next 10 weeks, reflects the conviction among

Prison camps for homeless?

Prison camps for homeless? By Bill Mason BRISBANE — Queensland's 1000 "feral street kids" should be rounded up and taken to bush work camps where they would be used to provide labour for community work schemes, according to the

The 'new prophet' of positive thinking

By David Wright HOBART — "I am not here to talk about unemployment ... This report is not a solution to unemployment ... My brief was education and youth training", Laurie Carmichael told a public forum here on July 23. Carmichael, author

Petticoats and lousy pay

By Tracy Sorensen SYDNEY — Some of the strongest complaints about government and opposition plans to "train" young people for jobs that don't exist concern the exploitation this will make possible. In fact, there is already considerable

FOE condemns ANSTO amendment

FOE condemns ANSTO amendment SYDNEY — Friends of the Earth has written an urgent request to the federal government to repeal the ANSTO Amendment Act. The recent act exempts the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation from state

Indian-Pacific under threat

By Tracy Sorensen SYDNEY — Unless the government funds a major refurbishment program, the Indian-Pacific passenger train will be forced to shut down. If it does, say environmentalists, it will be the culmination of decades of government

Talking union

ADELAIDE — The SA United Trades and Labor Council has condemned plans by Premier John Bannon to sell the government's controlling share in the SA Gas Company in order to raise around $310 million to help cover an expected budget deficit and

Clothing company strips Illawarra jobs

By Jill Hickson WOLLONGONG — Suddenly last week the recession deepened for 75 migrant women at Midford Paramount clothing when they were told the plant was to close and the company would not pay their entitlements, including retrenchment pay.

Rally backs youth bill of rights

By Sean Malloy and Bo Daley CANBERRA — A delegation of Resistance members and Young Christian Workers presented a youth bill of rights to Prime Minister Paul Keating's office on July 22, the day of the youth jobs summit. The youth bill of

SE forests blockade discontinued

SE forests blockade discontinued By Tracy Sorensen SYDNEY — The anti-logging blockade in coupe 922 of the south-east forests near Eden is over for the time being. Campaigners say it raised public awareness of the struggle to preserve

Campaign for Erskineville parks

Campaign for Erskineville parks By Kath Gelber SYDNEY — The "Save the Erskineville Parks Committee", set up two weeks ago in response to the proposed sale of parkland for urban development, is generating a large amount of community response

Anger over Tas bribery payout

Anger over Tas bribery payout By Teresa Dowding HOBART — Angry Tasmanians are preparing to present a petition to state parliament against a $360,000 payout to politicians and others involved in the Edmund Rouse bribery scandal and

GLW Issue 65

Austudy Five campaign continues

Austudy Five campaign continues By Nick Fredman The campaign is continuing to secure dropping of the charges against five activists arrested in dawn police raids in Melbourne after the March 26 student National Day of Action. Melbourne

Will lower wages create jobs?

By Peter Boyle The federal opposition says an 18-month wage freeze and $3-$3.50/hour youth wages will help solve unemployment. The Business Council of Australia (BCA) agrees, as does the National Farmers Federation. But according a July 23

Disarm the Skies campaign set up

fm24 = Disarm the Skies campaign set up By Roberto Jorquera MELBOURNE — An organising meeting to discuss the campaign against Aerospace '92 was held here on July 21. The meeting, called by Campaign Against Militarism and other groups, was

No solutions for Adelaide unemployed

No solutions for Adelaide unemployed By Chris Spindler ADELAIDE — A meeting here on July 25 gave the unemployed, particularly young unemployed people, little to look forward to from either major party or the union bureaucracy. The meeting

Greenpeace confronts whaler

Greenpeace confronts whaler The Greenpeace ship Solo began shadowing the Norwegian whaling vessel Nybraena off the coast of Russia in late July. The vessel is one of six licensed by the Norwegian government to kill around 110 minke whales for

Military dominates at 'aerospace' show

By Felicity Ruby Stall 117 at Aidex housed the Aerospace Foundation, advertising "The Essential Asia-Pacific Aerospace Event ... to reinforce Australia's place as the centre of Aerospace research and development design and production".

Talking union

The former ironworkers' union (FIMEE) has taken another step towards becoming a general manufacturing union with an 80% vote by the 3500-member Glass Workers' Union to amalgamate with it. The 100,000-member FIMEE already has extensive coverage

Residents rally to save Erskineville parks

By Tom Flanagan SYDNEY — Two hundred and fifty local residents attended a rally to save two Erskineville parks on August 1. The rally demanded that the two adjoining parks (on the corners of Erskineville Road and Albert Street) be preserved

Ecopolitics VI set for Melbourne

Ecopolitics VI set for Melbourne By Katrina Newton MELBOURNE — Ecopolitics is coming to Melbourne from September 25 to 27. This international conference has been held roughly biannually for a decade, and this time RMIT will be providing

Meeting discusses abortion law campaign

Meeting discusses abortion law campaign By Tracy Sorensen SYDNEY — A meeting of pro-choice organisations and individuals has decided to test support for a campaign for the repeal of the state's abortion laws. A workshop to map out strategy

Melbourne

Public meeting Youth unemployment: A generation betrayed Young employed activists discuss strategies for real job creation, living wages, and an environmentally sustainable economy. Panel includes: Wendy Robertson, Resistance; Mary Macgregor,

Wollongong students strike

Wollongong students strike By Col Hesse WOLLONGONG — Students at Wollongong Uni were called upon to strike by their SRC on July 29 to protest against the high level of fees and charges levied by the administration. According to Craig

Call to relocate brewery

Call to relocate brewery By Leon Harrison PERTH — Aboriginal activist Robert Bropho and other members of the Swan Valley Fringedwellers have told the WA Heritage Council to remove the old Swan Brewery and rebuild it elsewhere. The

New electoral alliance proposed

By Pip Hinman MELBOURNE — About 40 people attended a meeting on July 28, called by the Communist Intervention group, to discuss the formation of a new left political alliance to field candidates in the Victorian elections due in October. The

Phil Cleary plans jobs campaign

By Scott Warnwood MELBOURNE — About 70 people braved a wintry Melbourne night on July 29 to hear left independent Phil Cleary's first public report since he was elected to federal parliament for the seat of Wills on April 11. He promised this

After Kirner: Libs plan jobs holocaust

By Bronwen Beechey MELBOURNE — With recent opinion polls indicating a swing of at least 10% against Labor, the defeat of the Kirner government at the state elections in October seems a foregone conclusion. It seems key ministers have accepted

Labor vs Liberal: 29 cents worth of difference

By Peter Boyle MELBOURNE — What's the difference between the Labor and Liberal youth wages packages? About 29 cents, according to Wendy Robertson, 17 years old and out of work. She's looked closely at the figures. "If you're under 18, you'd

Stan Plumridge

Stan Plumridge By Peter Limb PERTH — Veteran peace and social justice worker Stan Plumridge died here on June 15, aged 84. He was active in the working class, peace and anti-fascist movements in England, raising funds in the Spanish Civil

GLW Issue 66

Study finds youth are victims of violence

By Sean Malloy Young people are the chief victims of violence in our society, according to a new study. A discussion paper published for the National Youth Affairs Research Scheme pieces together the relationship between young people, violence,

Third runway above the law

Third runway above the law SYDNEY — "On July 29, the federal government moved quietly, one might say stealthily, to exempt the Federal Airports Corporation from all NSW state environmental and planning laws", says NSW Democrat MP Richard

WA Aboriginal act draws protests

WA Aboriginal act draws protests By Leon Harrison PERTH — Objections have been pouring in to the WA government since Aboriginal communities were given 30 days to consider the newly rewritten Aboriginal Heritage Act, due to come before

Talking union

MELBOURNE — While the Victorian Trades Hall Council executive has decided to campaign for Labor in the coming state election, spending about $50,000 and appointing a full-time campaign coordinator, left-wing union officials from the "Pledge"