Action updates

May 23, 2001
Issue 

Action updates

Refugee policy condemned

PERTH — Australia's policy of detaining asylum seekers in detention centres was a blatant breach of at least three international treaties, Dr Judith Watson, a former minister for multicultural affairs, told a May 21 public forum at the University of Western Australia.

Seventy people heard Watson, refugee rights advocate Dr Samina Yasmeen and Afghani refugee Roya Ahmad call for an end to the detention of asylum seekers.

The forum was organised by the UWA section of the Refugee Rights Action Network, as part of lead-up activities to the June 3 national day of action for refugees.

Rally backs primary schools

ADELAIDE — More than 400 people attended a rally at Adelaide Oval on May 15 to demand an increase in funding for primary schools.

SA Primary Principals Association president Leonie Trimper told the rally that state primary schools were "near breaking point".

Part of a national campaign organised by primary principals' associations and parents' groups, the rally followed a national survey of almost 2500 principals and deputies which found primary schools were "critically under-resourced" and could no longer meet the pressures placed on them.

Gold Coast for Newcastle?

NEWCASTLE — Fearing Gold Coast-style development, 40 residents staged a protest at a meeting of developers and Newcastle city councillors on the site of a proposed 12-storey executive apartment which would overshadow Newcastle beach. The land was formerly part of Royal Newcastle Hospital.

Protest organiser Alison Rawling told Green Left Weekly "If they need a 12 storey building to make big profits then it is not up to the people of Newcastle to help them do this."

Protesters fear that the building will set a further precedent for the construction of a high rise on other former government land at the opposite end of the beach and could pose a threat to the area's many heritage-listed buildings.

Maitland protests Howard

NEWCASTLE — Prime Minister John Howard did not get the reception he hoped for when he visited the marginal Hunter Valley seat of Maitland on May 15.

Protesters from union and community groups chanted "GST has made us poor, we don't want Howard any more" and waved placards when the PM came to town to launch local Liberal Bob Baldwin's bid for parliament.

"No matter how much baby-kissing Howard does in marginal seats, nothing is going to save the Liberals. They've gone against too many people at one time", one protester said.

El Salvador benefit in Newcastle

NEWCASTLE — Sabroson, an Afro-Cuban and Latin Salsa band, played to 90 people at a benefit dance organised by the Committees in Solidarity with Latin America and the Caribbean (CISLAC) on May 12.

This year's event, the latest in a string of annual May Day benefits organised by CISLAC, was in support of the El Salvador Earthquake Appeal, launched by the group following the devastating January quake.

Lively May Day celebration

CANBERRA — Seventy people celebrated May Day here on May 12 at the annual Green Left Weekly May Day dinner, their spirit boosted by the successful M1 protests.

Phil Griffith from the International Socialist Organisation and Stuart Munckton from the Democratic Socialist Party both spoke enthusiastically about the Socialist Alliance and the importance of providing an alternative to neo-liberalism. Food was provided by the members of Friends For Peace in Sri Lanka.

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