News briefs

Issue 

Redfern housing questions

SYDNEY — At an Aboriginal Housing Company (AHC) annual general meeting on April 26, members of the Redfern Aboriginal Housing Coalition — a community-based organisation seeking to re-establish and improve housing for the Aboriginal community on the Block — sought election to the board.

None of the coalition members were elected, but they were able to raise questions about the lack of consultation with the community about planned demolition and redevelopment on the Block, the refusal of the AHC to allow membership to eligible applicants and the failure of the AHC to maintain the properties on the Block. The coalition will continue campaigning for proper representation in decisions. For further information phone 9698 3087.

35-hour week in Geelong

GEELONG — One hundred and forty members of the Australian Manufacturing Union (Metals Division) at a stove-making and auto components factory, Blackwell IXL, have just negotiated a three-year enterprise bargaining agreement which includes a 35-hour week consisting of a nine day fortnight, full long service leave after 10 years, a 6% wage rise, an increase in service increments and no trade-offs.

AMWU organiser Craig Johnston said, "The workers won because they have a history of being very militant ... The 35-hour week is a very important victory in a city like Geelong, which has lost a lot of jobs, and especially with the announcement that the BHP rod mill is closing down."

New Lucas Heights reactor?

SYDNEY — The federal government is reported to be planning a new nuclear reactor at Lucas Heights in Sydney's southern suburbs.

Storage space for spent fuel rods and other radioactive waste at the site is almost full, and transport of the waste is highly dangerous. However, "Plans to expand this centre in any way are both unnecessary and dangerous", says Australian Conservation Foundation uranium spokesperson Dave Sweeney.

Racist attacks tent embassy

CANBERRA —"Pauline Hanson is right about you fellows being cannibals", shouted a man as he attacked Aborigines sleeping at the Aboriginal Tent Embassy next to Old Parliament House at 6.30am on Anzac Day. Allan Murray, a 50-year-old Wirajuri elder, and Jagamarra Gary Simon sustained fractures and severe bruising.

Murray, his wife and two-year-old grandson were in bed when they were alerted by a loud noise. When Murray opened the tent door, he was attacked by a man wielding an iron bar. Simon came to Murray's aid, only to be beaten around the head. Police have not made any arrests.

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