The media hysteria over a possible Australian link to the recent British terror attacks serves to highlight a basic reality: the Australian healthcare system is critically dependent on overseas-trained doctors and it wouldnt work without them.
Dave Holmes
The 2007 Socialist Summer School was a great success. Sponsored by Resistance and the Democratic Socialist Perspective (DSP), both affiliates of the Socialist Alliance, the event was held at Sydney Universitys Womens College from January 4-7. Some 210 people attended the four days of talks, workshops, meetings and social events.
The fundamental environmental problem facing humanity today is catastrophic climate change brought on by runaway greenhouse gas emissions. The relatively narrow band of climatic conditions within which we can function has been destabilised. As average temperatures rise extreme weather events (cyclones, floods, heat waves and droughts) are increasing and ocean levels look like rising dramatically, potentially making refugees of hundreds of millions of people. The very survival of the human race has now been called into question.
Like a large part of the continent, Victoria is in the grip of unprecedented drought. Across the state, dams are rapidly emptying and river flows are at record lows, cities and towns face drastic restrictions and farmers confront an uncertain future. The water crisis gives the question of global warming and catastrophic climate change a new immediacy, and is a major issue in the November 25 state election.
Public transport issues continue to feature in the November 25 Victorian state election as both major parties trawl for votes.