Rally saves planetarium
BRISBANE — The Brisbane City Council has backed off from a threat to cut funding to the Brisbane Planetarium, after some 60 people rallied at the planetarium's Mount Coot-tha site on May 20 to demand it be kept open.
Speakers from astronomical and academic organisations urged the council to maintain the site, saying that to close it would be "an indictment" on the city.
Speakers explained that the planetarium was "'not about profit and loss, but about education", and attracted tens of thousands of visitors, including school children and tourists.
The council has promised to extend funding to the planetarium for at least another 12 months.
Protesters target climate change
CANBERRA — A spirited group of protesters gathered outside the US embassy here on May 25 to condemn the US government's breaking of the Kyoto agreement on climate change.
The protest, organised by the M1 Alliance, demanded rich country governments reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Market no solution for environment
MELBOURNE — "The environment has been sold", Greens senate candidate and anti-genetic engineering campaigner Scott Kinnear told a forum on May 22 organised by the Democratic Socialist Party, focusing his anger on the biotechnology companies involved in pushing genetically modified organisms.
Tristy Fairfield, national climate spokesperson for Friends of the Earth, spoke of the devastation which would be wrought by the US and Australian governments' decision to junk the Kyoto protocol on climate change in favour of market-driven "solutions".
The DSP's Jo Brown rounded out the forum by outlining how a socialist society could ensure a sustainable future by taking control of production out of the hands of corporations.
Acehnese film screened
MELBOURNE — Despite murder and violence by the armed forces, there is still overwhelming support for a referendum in the northern Indonesian province of Aceh, according to a film, Aceh: the people's struggle, shown on May 17.
The film, made by independent film-maker Jill Hickson, was screened by Action in Solidarity with Indonesia and East Timor as part of ASIET's efforts to inform the Australian public about what is going on in Aceh.
Miners remembered
NEWCASTLE — The people of the Hunter Valley paid their respects to mineworkers who have lost their lives on the job at the Sixth Annual Memorial Day Service on May 20.
Held at the United Mineworkers' House in Cessnock, those gathered laid wreaths by the Jim Comerford Memorial Wall. Over 1500 miners have lost their lives at mines in the northern district since 1801.
Rally to save Medicare
NEWCASTLE — Nearly 100 protesters marched through the streets of Newcastle on May 21 to protest the demise of bulk billing.
Called by SMARTS, Save Medicare and Retain Total bulk billing Services, and the Newcastle Trades Hall Council, the rally assembled outside Trades Hall before marching to Liberal Senator John Tierney's Office on the Newcastle foreshore.
SMARTS is planning another rally in Sydney on June 7, at noon outside the Commonwealth Offices, Chifley Square Contact 0407 102 950 for more information.