Steve Painter

  • Forest protesters bamboo the Regent

    Forest protesters bamboo the RegentSYDNEY — 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

  • Indonesian 'Chernobyl' on the ring of fire?

    The risk of a nuclear disaster in one of the most densely populated parts of the world is about to increase dramatically as the Indonesian government presses ahead with a nuclear power program to build up to 12 reactors on the

  • Rail workers fight for jobs

    Rail workers fight for jobsSYDNEY — 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

  • After Greiner, ICAC next to go?

    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

  • Newcastle bus drivers angry over deal

    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

  • Telecom workers vote for industrial campaign

    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.

  • US bombing range plan for NT

    The United States government expects to get the go-ahead soon to use Delamere bombing range in the Northern Territory. US military forces are searching for a new range following their forced abandonment of the giant Clark air

  • Telecom workers fight job cuts

    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

  • Greiner on the ropes over corruption

    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

  • Nuclear cuts reflect changing US strategy

    Nuclear cuts reflect changing US strategyThe latest US-Russian nuclear arms cuts, announced by presidents Bush and Yeltsin in Washington on June 16, reflect a continuing move by the US towards armaments more suitable to its

  • Liberals' BWIU ban illegal

    Liberals' BWIU ban illegalSYDNEY — 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

  • Union bash may backfire on Greiner

    SYDNEY — Amid a poisonous hail of racial slurs, union-bashing, unsubstantiated allegations and red-baiting, the Royal Commission Into Productivity in the Building Industry in NSW issued its final report on May 26. The