Relaxed and comfortable?
HOBART — PM John Howard did not look relaxed and comfortable when he started his September 8 vote-buying tour of Tasmania with breakfast on Hobart's Elizabeth Street Pier. He was greeted by about 60 protesters, with placards and banners opposing the Jabiluka uranium mine and other cases of Liberal government racism and environmental vandalism.
There was some pushing and shoving when the PM's security cops attacked protesters. Howard later condemned Greens Senator Bob Brown for being at the demonstration. Howard's whistle-stop tour of Tasmania also drew protests from maritime workers and unemployed people.
CFMEU stop work
MELBOURNE — Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union construction division workers stopped work on September 11 in memory of Mark Allen. Allen, a union organiser in Perth, was killed in 1996 while inspecting health and safety breaches on a building site. CFMEU members remembered Allen by holding one minutes' silence throughout the country.
Railway crossing closed
MELBOURNE — As part of the Kennett government's drive to cut costs and sack workers, the Brunswick Tinning Street railway crossing has been closed permanently, removing one of the last remaining crossings still operated manually.
A community rally was held at the railway gates on September 5 to demand the crossing remain open. A public meeting, organised by the Tinning Street Action Group, will be held on Wednesday, September 16, 7.30pm, at Federazione Lucana, 3 Cameron St, Brunswick.
Wharfies set dogs on Reith
MELBOURNE — Industrial relations minister Peter Reith was joined on the campaign trail by about 30 members of the Maritime Union of Australia this week in the bay-side suburb of Rye. The wharfies heckled and jeered at Reith's public meeting in his electorate of Flinders, as he attempted to sell the goods and services tax.
Wharfies dressed in black balaclavas and accompanied by several small dogs on chains mocked Reith's complicity in the use of scab labour and hired thugs during the Patrick dispute earlier this year. The MUA plans to campaign to unseat Reith.
Left candidates in Blacktown
SYDNEY — The Broad Alliance, which is standing a candidate in the seat of Greenway, covering Blacktown, is holding a "meet the candidates" meeting at the Alpha Park Centre, Alpha Street, Blacktown at 6pm on September 19. For more information, phone Salvinder on 0411 788 001.