News briefs

Issue 

SYDNEY — On November 23, Zanny Begg was stopped by police while installing a work, Checkpoint, for the Blacktown Art Gallery's "Out of Gallery" project.

Begg explained that she was "creating 10 'checkpoints' for 'weapons of mass distraction' in various locales throughout Blacktown. These 'checkpoints' were marked by a life-size stencil of a soldier and were placed on hordings, fences, walls and carparks."

Begg said that police ordered her to remove the artworks because in a "climate of terrorism" it was inappropriate to "show such political messages". She was threatened with a fine if she refused.

Begg said she was "disappointed that this work was censored" as she believes it "would have made an important contribution to the exhibition and had conceptual and artistic merit — in addition to its political anti-war message".

"I had hoped that these artworks would surprise people in back streets, car parks and other parts of the suburb and remind them of the conflict which is going on in the backyards for people in Iraq."

Selena Black

ALP supports developers

HOBART — Legislation creating the new Sullivans Cove Waterfront Authority passed through Tasmania's upper house on November 24 in a win for corporate developers and a loss of democratic rights for the people of Hobart.

The legislation takes responsibility for planning decisions relating to the prime waterfront land around Sullivans Cove — Hobart's docks area — out of the hands of the elected Hobart City Council. The new authority will be appointed by the state government and citizens' rights of appeal against planning decisions have been removed.

Alex Bainbridge

From Green Left Weekly, December 1, 2004.
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