MELBOURNE — A public meeting held on May 2 resolved to support, in principle, the setting up of a People's Action Centre in shopfront premises in Footscray. The centre will function as a drop-in centre and coffee shop, as well as providing a range of services such as advocacy for the unemployed, cooperative endeavours and possibly free legal advice. It will also act as an organising centre to help people in Melbourne's west fight back against government and other attacks. To assist in the project or find out more, contact John Tully, 17 Benbow St, Yarraville 3013 or phone (03) 314 0559.
SYDNEY — A petition campaign has been launched to highlight the 50th Hiroshima Day commemoration on August 6. The appeal, part of a worldwide campaign which was launched at the Conference Against Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs held in Japan last August, will be presented to the United Nations on Hiroshima Day. Several peace groups are already working on the campaign. More petitions are available from the Hiroshima Day Committee on 212 6855.
- Members of AWU-FIMEE at Kurnell Refinery shut the plant down on May 13-14. Their strike is in response to the management's campaign to beat them into accepting wide-ranging changes to work and safety practices while attempting to sack 20% of the work force. Messages of support are coming from refineries around Australia. The dispute is about whether workers at refineries have a say in their employment conditions or whether they are prisoners of management's whims.