BRISBANE — A lively discussion followed talks by activists from the women's movement speak on "the Beauty Myth" at the Green Left forum on March 11. Gai Lemon, a tutor in sexuality at Queensland University of Technology, spoke about the way society does not let women feel comfortable about their bodies. Philippa Skinner from the Democratic Socialist Party spoke about Naomi Wolf's book and the profits and social inequality maintained by the beauty industry. It was decided to form a group called "Women Against Rampant Sexism" to fight back against degrading images of women in the print media. For more information, phone Philippa on (07) 358 4875.
MELBOURNE — On April 5, hundreds of thousands of women in the United States will take to the streets to oppose the erosion of their right to abortion and to demand full reproductive freedom. On the same day here, the Campaign for Women's Reproductive Rights is organising a solidarity rally, which will call for full reproductive rights for women everywhere. For more information, telephone (03) 481 4201 or 387 1843.
PERTH — Jocelynne Scutt, author of Women and the Law, addressed an audience of around 40 people on March 9 in a talk organised by the Feminist International Network of Resistance to Reproductive and Genetic Engineering. Scutt spoke on women and reproductive technology, raising three areas of particular concern: the use of women for experimental purposes; the emphasis on reproductive technology over research into the common causes of infertility; the legal implications and emotional consequences of surrogacy.
- More than 600 people gathered outside Parliament House on March 17, demanding that the old Swan Brewery be demolished and the site turned into parkland. Aboriginal people and white supporters attended the protest, which was organised by the Brewery Action Group to show community opposition to the government's plans to develop the site. Action group leader Joe Stokes said that the government must take notice of the 30,000 signatures on petitions demanding the brewery's demolition.
SYDNEY — Students rallied here on March 21 to protest against the federal government's cut-off of funding for Student Initiatives in Community Health. The protesters were prevented by police from gagging a statue of Queen Victoria to symbolise the censorship imposed by the federal government on SICH and the Making Sense of Sex hotline and diary. A banner stating "Brian Howe You Have Blood on Your Hands" was impounded by police, who claimed it included "offensive graffiti". SOS (Save Our SICH) can be contacted at Sydney University SRC on (02) 660 5051.
- More than 60 Resistance members from Canberra, Newcastle, Sydney and Wollongong attended a regional camp on March 13-15. Talks, discussion and workshops included "Capitalism in Social Crisis", "Women's Liberation", "Fate of the Environment" and "Getting Active with Resistance in 1992". The camp was interrupted by media crews, who flew in by helicopter for interviews about the Fact and Fantasy File campaign.