CANBERRA — On August 14 about 100 people rallied in response to a call by the Coalition Against Racism. Speakers highlighted the racism that has been stirred up since the Mabo case and the need for people to oppose it. Many people passing through Civic stopped to listen. Further actions are planned.
HOBART — The Resistance club at the University of Tasmania is running Jennifer Crothers as a candidate for the position of Women's Committee Chair at the student union elections to be held between August 25 and 27. For more information, or to get involved in the campaign ring (002) 34 6397 or go to the Resistance stall at Tas Uni on the Ref steps between 12 and 2 between August 23 and 27.
- On August 19 a meeting of around 20 people at the University of Tasmania established an anti-fees coalition to oppose budget cuts to education. The first action of the coalition is to invite students to send their messages about fee increases to the government via a giant "postcard to Beazley" which will be located outside the uni library on Tuesday August 24.
MELBOURNE — Around 40 people attended a picket outside the Indonesian Consulate on August 17. The demonstration was called by the Australia-East Timor Association together with the East Timorese political parties FRETILIN and UDT. August 17 is Indonesia's national day — the day of independence from Dutch colonial rule. Francisco Pang from Fretilin addressed the demonstrators, concentrating on the issue of the reduction of Xanana Gusmao's life sentence and Australia's complicity in the Indonesian occupation of East Timor.
SYDNEY — About 30 people held a demonstration outside the US consulate in Sydney on August 14 in support of the hunger-strikers on the Cuba Caravan bus detained by US authorities in Laredo, Texas. The demonstrators called on opponents of the US economic blockaqde of Cuba to write to the US ambassador in Australia demanding that the hunger-strikers be allowed to enter Cuba.
PERTH — The WA Museum is holding a multi-media and performance event in August to celebrate the 1993 United Nations Year of the World's Indigenous People. Ceremonies, videos, children's events, poetry, music, dance, storytelling and local Aboriginal buskers will highlight the cultural survival and struggle of indigenous people around the world.
- About 70 people gathered in protest on August 17 outside Sempati Air. Organised by the East Timor Action Group the day was Indonesian Independence Day and marked the launch of the national campaign: "Free Xanana, Free East Timor, Boycott Bali". The Boycott Bali education campaign is highlighting the human rights violations committed against the East Timorese people by Indonesian military operating out of Bali headquarters and of Balinese prisons which detain and torture East Timorese political prisoners. Anyone wishing to help or find out more the campaign can contact Denis Yuen on 325 1022.