Chilean activist in Brisbane
@9point = BRISBANE — Despite the election of a civilian government in Chile, there are still many political prisoners and human rights remain under threat, visiting Chilean activist Miriam Ortega told a public meeting at the Trades Hall here on August 8. She urged continuing support for the campaign to help those who remain in jail on political grounds in Chile.
@9point = At a forum co-sponsored by the Committee in Solidarity with Latin America and the Caribbean and the Democratic Socialist Party on August 9, Ortega spoke of the struggle to unite the progressive movement in a campaign for democracy and social change. The tour was organised by a Women's Support Group, which has now organised itself to continue working for Latin American solidarity.
Campaign for lecturer
@9point = DARWIN — Students at Northern Territory University have launched a campaign following news that the teaching contract of popular politics lecturer Jim Jose will not be renewed next year. Without any replacement for Jose planned, the university administration has jeopardised all undergraduate courses in politics and in particular postgraduate studies currently supervised.
@9point = One of the university's most prominent left academics, Jose is the contact officer for student and staff grievances in sexual harassment. He is also known for introducing the "feminist theory" elective to politics courses. Students have planned to make the campaign a focus for the August 24 National Day of Action. To contact the campaign phone Emma on 466 214 or Damien on 814 714.
Anti-uranium pickets
@9point = PERTH — About 40 people attended a picket outside the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on August 11, organised by Resistance and the Secondary School Students' Anti-Nuclear Coalition to call upon the Australian government to immediately end uranium sales to France.
@9point = A giant postcard, outlining the demands and signed by many people, was presented to the regional director of the department. After the picket, people marched through the city mall, chanting "Uranium equals bombs, leave it in the ground", and "Export Evans, not uranium".
@9point = HOBART — 30 people gathered on August 9 with banners and placards highlighting the ALP government's continued commitment to uranium mining and exports. Democratic Socialist speaker Katrina Dean said, "The demands we made on the Bastille and Hiroshima Day marches have not been met. We want the ALP government to support a nuclear-free and independent Pacific, to enforce trade sanctions with France and put real pressure on Chirac to abandon the tests."
Lake Macquarie land claim
@9point = NEWCASTLE — A cultural centre is planned for the site of the most recent and most valuable land claim under the NSW Aboriginal Land Rights Act. One thousand hectares of land adjacent to Lake Macquarie in the NSW Hunter Valley area were granted to the Koompahtoo Aboriginal Land Council on August 8. Plans for the land include a bush tucker walking track, space for visiting artists and a theatre. Redevelopment of the area for cultural use would begin with a traditional Aboriginal cleansing ceremony. The Lake Macquarie City Council has welcomed the grant as an opportunity for tourism, culture and education.