PearsonFlotillas of Hope , Nauru, refugees, Lynda Smith"> #1
Islamic Association opposes 'anti-terror' laws
SYDNEY — Two-hundred people, mostly from the Muslim community, attended a meeting on June 12 condemning the "anti-terror" laws and state and federal governments' racist scapegoating of Muslims.
The meeting, organised by the Islamic Association of Western Suburbs Sydney, heard from Muslim representatives, parliamentarians and civil liberties activists. Speakers were concerned that the Muslim community is being used as a "whipping boy" to justify Australian involvement in Iraq.
Many speakers focused on the need to kick PM John Howard out in the upcoming federal election. Raul Bassi from the Socialist Alliance emphasised the importance of building the anti-war movement.
Many members of the audience asked the ALP speaker, Roger Price, if Labor would reverse the "anti-terror" legislation if it won the federal elections. Price was unable to answer.
Tamara Pearson
Hundreds protest ATSIC abolition
CANBERRA — Three-hundred Aboriginal people — from Adelaide to the Gulf of Carpentaria — and their supporters rallied on June 15 outside federal parliament to protest the abolition of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC).
The protesters marched holding Aboriginal flags and chanting, "Enough is enough! John Howard get stuffed!"
Rick Griffiths, ATSIC commissioner from the east zone of New South Wales, said that by abolishing ATSIC the Coalition government is abolishing self-determination for Aboriginal people. He demanded that the ALP and other opposition parties block the legislation.
Griffiths criticised "bourgeois black fellers" who had sold out Aboriginal people since the freedom bus rides in the 1960s. Aboriginal activist Wayne Wharton added that right now, six Aboriginal "leaders" including Mick Dodson were in Adelaide negotiating a new structure to "represent" Aboriginal people.
Aunty Alice from Brisbane said the key concerns of Aboriginal people went far beyond ATSIC. She said they should be given back wages stolen from them and that there should be real action on Aboriginal deaths in custody.
Richard Franklin said neither the ALP nor the Liberals support Aboriginal people and that they needed another voice, such as the new political party Your Voice.
Kerry O'Brien, Labor's Indigenous affairs spokesperson said that he would call for a Senate inquiry into the future of ATSIC. Aden Ridgeway from the Democrats and Kerry Nettle from the Greens both said that they would back this inquiry.
James Vassilopoulos
Flotillas of Hope reach Nauru
The Flotillas of Hope arrived within one mile of Nauru's coastline on June 20, World Refugee Day. The crew of seven have weathered treacherous seas and engine problems in their attempts to personally deliver gifts and messages to refugees detained on the island.
They received an unfriendly welcome from Nauruan officials on three boats who demanded that they remain outside Nauru's maritime boundary or face arrest.
Lynda Smith
Cultural landmark forced to leave home
WOLLONGONG — The well-known and much-loved Perey's Books will be forced out of its home of the last 12 years due to the high-rise development proposed for the eastern end of Crown Street. The community has responded with anger and disbelief to the plan.
According to the bookshop's owner Jo Abrantes, "It is sad that we are being forced to move, but Perey's Books will survive. The character of the street, however, will not survive if the development goes ahead. If the buildings are destroyed, a part of our culture and heritage will be lost forever."
A tea party at the shop on June 19 was "about celebrating the things that are important to the community and sending a message to council and developers that we will not passively accept the destruction of our town", said Abrantes.
[For more information phone Save East Crown Street on (02) 4226 9966.]
Belinda Selke
Pilger film screened
DARWIN — A screening of John Pilger's latest documentary Breaking the Silence — Truth and Lies in the War on Terror attracted nearly 60 people on June 17, raising over $550 for Green Left Weekly.
Journalist and film-maker Max Stahl and Socialist Alliance Senate candidate Ray Hayes addressed the event.
Kathy Newnam
Comedy overboard
ADELAIDE — On June 5, Justice for Refugees SA (JRSA) held a fundraiser attended by 400 people titled "Comedy Overboard".
The MC for the night was Amanda Blair, recently retired from Adelaide's number one breakfast radio show. Local comedy acts Roger Teece, Mags Moore, Em O'Loughlin and Kehau Jackson all donated their time to perform. The headline act was well-known comedian Rod Quantock.
Justice for Refugees used the night to raise funds for a federal election campaign. The group doesn't intend to run a candidate, but to use the election to build community awareness and provide information. It will focus on the seat of Adelaide, held by Liberal member Trish Worth. JRSA will not be supporting particular candidates but will ask candidates to state their views on refugee policy and inform voters of these views.
Daniel Jardine
From Green Left Weekly, June 23, 2004.
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