Malaysians demonstrate for democracy
SYDNEY — Supporters of democracy in Malaysia held a picket outside the Malaysian Airlines office here on November 28. The demonstration was organised by the newly formed Malaysians for Democracy.
Picketers demanded the immediate release of Tian Chua, the detained chairperson of the Coalition for People's Democracy.
The protest, which attracted 20 people, also demanded that the Malaysian government repeal the Internal Security Act (ISA), which allows for arrest without charge. The group also picketed the Malaysian Consulate in Bellevue Hill on November 14.
Malaysians for Democracy urges readers to write to the Malaysian government to: demand that it immediately and unconditionally release all ISA detainees, or charge them in court; condemn the use of the ISA on legitimate expressions of dissent; urge an immediate halt in excessive use of police force; demand the immediate release or charging of all those arrested in the streets; urge that bail be given to Anwar Ibrahim for the duration of his trial; and demand the immediate release of Tian Chua (see article on page 21).
Send appeals to: Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohammad, Prime Minister's Department, Jalan Dato Onn 50502, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Fax: 60 3 298 4172 or 60 3 238 3784; and Datuk Adnan Othman, Malaysian High Commission, 7 Perth Avenue, Yarralumla, ACT 2600. Fax: (02) 6273 2496.
Parramatta Stop Jabiluka meeting
SYDNEY — More than 20 people from a broad range of political backgrounds attended a public meeting in Parramatta on November 27 to find out more about the campaign to stop the Jabiluka uranium mine. Organised by the Sydney West branch of Resistance, the meeting included a screening of David Bradbury's film Jabiluka.
Dr Jim Green, a nuclear researcher and member of the Democratic Socialist Party, spoke about nuclear weapons proliferation and how Jabiluka uranium will be used to maintain Australia's role in the international nuclear cycle.
A rally to oppose the Jabiluka mine will be held in Sydney on December 6 at Hyde Park, 2pm.
NTEU declares war on job cuts
BALLARAT — A mass meeting of the Ballarat branch of the National Tertiary Education Industry Union (NTEU) on November 24 voted for a full-scale campaign against job cuts. Members voted unanimously to impose bans on the processing and transmission of exam results.
The bans will remain until management agrees to the union's demand that funds be released to prevent job losses. The meeting established an open campaign committee.
The committee has decided to boycott official university functions, distribute letters to the businesses and residents of Ballarat, and organise a "Thumbs Down" protest BBQ. A demonstration is being organised with the Australian Education Union and TAFE workers to coincide with the National Union of Students' national conference next week.
CFMEU green ban
SYDNEY — The NSW branch of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) placed an interim green ban on the Sydney Conservatorium of Music construction site on November 25.
The union is supporting National Trust claims that valuable archaeological relics, such as colonial roads and drainage systems, have been or will be damaged by construction work on the Francis Greenway conservatorium.
Mundey addresses Leach memorial
BRISBANE — "The question of unemployment is the most important thing the ACTU and the union movement should take up", environmental activist and former NSW Builders Labourers' Federation leader Jack Mundey told an audience of around 150 at the Bob Leach Memorial Lecture on November 26.
This was the first of an annual event to commemorate the life of co-founder of the Progressive Labour Party, Bob Leach, who died last December. It also marked the 10th anniversary of Politics in the Pub, with which Leach had been closely involved.
Mundey called for new links to be built between the unions, and the left and green movements.
ACT TAFE staff stop work
CANBERRA — About 300 members of the Australian Education Union and the Community and Public Sector Union held separate meetings on November 25 to protest the partial privatisation of TAFE and the ACT government's budget cuts. The cuts are likely to lead to redundancies and worse working conditions in ACT TAFE.
The AEU is in dispute with Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) management over its acceptance of a recommendation of a review of the Learning Services Division to shed 15-27 positions.
Clive Haggar, president of the AEU, told the meeting that the ACT government wants to considerably reduce CIT's funding to bring expenditure per student into line with other states, particularly Victoria.
It was agreed to maintain pressure on the government with a march to the ACT Legislative Assembly on December 11.
WorkCover dispute
MELBOURNE — Metal Trades Federation mass meetings are planned across Victoria on December 3. The meetings will discuss a recommendation for a 24-hour stoppage in support of the claim for 52 weeks of full make-up pay from WorkCover.
Craig Johnston, assistant state secretary of the AMWU and metal division secretary, speaking on the 3CR AMWU radio show, explained that "the metalworkers union in 1972 was the first to win 52 weeks of full make-up pay for injured workers. This then flowed to many other awards.
In 1992, Victorian premier Jeff Kennett changed the law, reducing full make-up pay to 26 weeks. In 1997 it was reduced further to 13 weeks.
For details of the mass meetings, phone 9230 5700.