Nick Fredman

  • Their values and ours

    Nationalism is a central component of the ideological glue that holds capitalist society together, and just about all capitalist governments are happy to beat a nationalist drum. However the Howard government has been particularly noted for its efforts in this regard, not least in its championing of “Australian values”. They’ve been flogging the term for a decade but in recent months there’s been a bit of a “values” frenzy, with the added spectacle of Labor making an ill-conceived attempt to compete in the “values” stakes.

  • May Day in the Northern Rivers

    LISMORE — In an action organised by the Northern Rivers Unionist Network, around 40 activists gathered on May 6 to mark May Day, entertaining passers-by with street theatre, and building the June 21 Lismore leg of the Your Rights at Work on the

  • The free trade agreement and Australian nationalism

    The Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement (AUSFTA) currently being negotiated between Canberra and Washington has been criticised as attacking the interests of working people and the environment. However, much of the

  • Nelson's concessions mean we should press attack

    In the face of broad opposition to the attacks on higher education contained in last May's federal budget, education minister Brendan Nelson has announced numerous, if minor, concessions hoping to win over top university bureaucrats

  • SCU staff reject dodgy deal

    LISMORE — In a victory for unionism in the higher-education sector, staff at Southern Cross University have decisively voted down a short-term enterprise bargaining agreement aimed at marginalising the National Tertiary Education

  • Anti-war activity increases in northern NSW

    BY NICK FREDMAN & MATT EGAN KYOGLE — In one of several recent anti-war actions in the area, around 3000 people marched down the main street of Coffs Harbour on February 2. Exceeding organisers expectations, the crowd took over the town's main

  • 'Anti-terrorism' laws fuel law and order hysteria

    The Terrorism (Police Powers) Bill 2002, passed on December 4 by the NSW parliament, is a serious threat to democratic rights. It builds on increasing police powers granted by previous Labor and Coalition administrations, and shows

  • Students organise against Nelson review

    LISMORE — Chanting, "Education for people, not for profit", and "Whose streets? Our streets!", 300 university and high school students and university workers brushed aside police objections to spill onto the streets on September

  • Should the NTEU support a boycott of Israel?

    What should be the response of workers in the higher education sector towards the Israeli occupation of Palestine? This question has been posed over the last several months by a petition circulated by two Australian academics

  • Activists confront Anderson on refugees, Telstra

    LISMORE — At a breakfast function for businesspeople here on July 18, deputy prime minister John Anderson was met by banners, placards and twenty-five chanting people opposing the government's policy of the mandatory detention of

  • Peace and justice versus CHOGM

    COOLUM — "Wouldn't it be fantastic if the police went over to the Hyatt and arrested the people who are the real criminals — who are responsible for injustice around the world?", human rights activist Ross Daniels asked the

  • Sweet victory for sugar workers

    LISMORE — Sugar mill workers across northern New South Wales have won a substantial victory over Sunshine Sugar. The company had attempted to cut the workers' real pay and demanded compulsory work on public holidays in recent