News briefs
ADELAIDE — Advertiser journalist Mike McEwen was sacked last week for writing articles detailing criticisms of state government economic policy. McEwen had written an article reporting the findings of a group of independent academics who criticised the Liberal government's audit commission. McEwen's subsequent articles were either vetoed or severely cut, culminating in his sacking last week.
PERTH — Aboriginal activist Robert Bropho and Clarrie Isaacs are free to return to the old Swan brewery following a magistrate's court decision on May 26 to lift a restraining order. In April 1993, following complaints from developer Multiplex Constructions, Magistrate Ronald Gething banned several protesters from being within 75 metres of the site. Multiplex had applied to renew the restraining order, but Magistrate Calder said the company had failed to satisfy him that the behaviour of the defendants justified an extension.
PERTH — In a letter to the Royal Commission into Black Deaths in Custody, Aboriginal activist Yaluritja (Clarrie Isaacs) has called for a review of high bail conditions in Western Australia. Yaluritja said there had been a "deliberate obstruction to the implementation of the recommendations ... by the state". He added that a number of other points needed to be taken up: better information from police regarding those detained; facilities for mothers breast-feeding children at the Perth Central lockup; proper medical facilities with trained staff; a system to keep watch over the police.