Australia

In this episode of On The Streets, we discuss International Women’s Day protests, rallies opposing the war on Iran and the crackdown on freedom of speech in Queensland. 

More than 50 people attended the Socialist Alliance launch of its Blue Mountains branch, including locals, visitors from Greater Sydney and those keen to advance social and ecological justice in the mountains and surrounding areas. Aaisha Slee reports.

Lots of kites are being flown about how to make housing affordable in the lead-up to the May budget. Graham Matthews argues that Labor could raise the tax rate to the OECD average and immediately have an extra $140 billion for public housing.

Refugee rights organisations say a new Labor bill gives three ministers extraordinary powers to prevent people fleeing a conflict zone from seeking asylum in Australia. Pip Hinman reports.

An Australian government that is serious about global peace — as opposed to maintaining US-Israeli dominance in the Middle East region — would not send military assistance to prop up the US-Israel war, argues Federico Fuentes.

After winning two stomping majorities in a row, Victorian Labor’s winning streak may be in danger, as opinion polls show both major parties are on the nose. Jack Stickney reports.

Anne Twomey, a constitutional lawyer at the University of Sydney, is concerned that new state and federal laws, allegedly to combat hate, are adversely impacting free speech. Paul Gregoire reports.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s patronising descriptor of Grace Tame as “difficult” is the latest high-profile example of just how embedded misogynist prejudices are. Pip Hinman writes that women continue to bear the brunt of misogynistic attitudes and their inherent potential for violence and death.