Action updates

Action updates

BRISBANE — Sixty students protested at the University of Queensland on May 13, where Federal Liberal politician John Howard was delivering a speech. The demonstration was called by Students Against Cuts to highlight opposition to Liberal party policy on education. With chants of "Education for all, not just the rich!", the students attempted to enter the building where Howard was speaking. Police moved in and a scuffle broke out in which two people were arrested.

• The Group Against Rainforest Destruction and representatives from the Lismore Rainforest Information Centre rallied here on May 11 as part of an international timber day of action. The action was part of GARD's campaign for a ban on the importation of tropical timbers. The protesters marched through the mall, singing songs, carrying placards and distributing information. They asked the public to be compassionate in their timber choice by being aware of the origin of the timber they use.

• More than 50 people gathered in Queen St Mall on May 15 to continue the campaign against Lord Mayor Jim Soorley's plan to curtail free speech in the mall. "Soorley's proposal [to provide a speaker's corner in King George Square] amounts to free speech so long as no-one can hear you", explained protester Philippa Stanford. "King George Square is dimly lit, and no-one goes there. The mall is the people's gathering place and has been used for this purpose for the last two years without any problems." Another rally will be held on May 22.

MELBOURNE — Activists from around the country met here on May 11 to discuss and plan the Committee in Solidarity with Latin America and the Caribbean's future activities. CISLAC's key campaigns over the next year include the regular publication of the Latin American solidarity magazine Venceremos, work with the national Cuba campaign and the 500 years of Latin American popular resistance campaign. The meeting also decided to highlight the struggle for peace in Guatemala and the key role being played by the activist Rigoberta Menchu, nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. A report on CISLAC's developmental assistance program, which receives matching funding from the Australian government, projected a major fundraising effort over the next year.

• The AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power has had a breakthrough in its boycott campaign against clothing manufacturer Benetton, called in response a company advertisements which shows a man dying from AIDS. Following protests by ACT UP members in Melbourne and other cities, Foreaton Pty Ltd — the company which distributes Benetton clothing in Australia — has publicly dissociated itself from the advertisement. The company told ACT UP that it would support a submission from the group to the Advertising Standards Council of Australia calling for the advertisement to be banned.

SYDNEY — Hundreds of University of Technology communications students attended a May 13 meeting to protest against changes in their degree. The BA (Communications) degree program at UTS is in a funding crisis, and the faculty has responded by cutting teaching hours by 25%. Barry Healy, spokesperson for part-time students, said that if the money was not available through the university, the federal government should be approached at increase UTS funding. (UTS receives $7000 per student, while Sydney University receives $12,000.) Lisa Brockwell, Student Association president, said that if the cuts were accepted, the quality of the degree would be irreparably damaged.

• Demonstrators from IRATE (Involved Residents Against Tollway Extortion) and other groups greeted premier Nick Greiner's opening speeches at the first privately built motorway in NSW, the F2 on May 16. To shave minutes off commuting times, car drivers have to pay $1.50 each way; trucks are paying $4 each way. While the government crows that it has spent "nothing" on the tollway, IRATE points out that an awful lot of money has been spent on redesigning surrounding roads to force traffic onto the tollway.