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Emergency call centre cuts

Emergency call centre cuts By Bill Mason BRISBANE — Telstra has been widely criticised over moves to close its 000 emergency call centre at Ipswich and divert all crisis calls to Sydney and Melbourne. The closure, planned for April, will cost

As schools decay, Russian teachers protest

As schools decay, Russian teachers protest By Renfrey Clarke MOSCOW — When Russian authorities learned on December 15 that striking teachers had blocked an important rail line, it may finally have dawned on them that the situation in the

NZ government moves to silence dissent

WELLINGTON — New Zealand Prime Minister Jenny Shipley has indicated that the law will be changed to allow the Security Intelligence Service to break and enter people's houses. The moves came in early December after the NZ Court of Appeal ruled

Blood and oil

By Natalie Zirngast Between December 16 and December 19, while much of the world was distracted by Christmas hype, a massive 70-hour air bombardment was launched by the US and Britain against Iraq. The offensive was appropriately dubbed Operation

Opposition grows in MUA

Opposition grows in MUA By Dick Nichols A mood of anger and revolt is sweeping the ranks of the Maritime Union of Australia. The impact of the MUA-Patrick deal (set to be extended to P&O Ports) and the loss of the industry roster for

Hamba kahle (farewell) Simon Nkoli

Hamba kahle (farewell) Simon Nkoli By Ken Davis On November 30, Simon Tseko Nkoli, one of Africa's most prominent gay and AIDS activists, died in hospital in Johannesburg. His death was front-page news, among the feature stories on World AIDS

Hotel approved despite protests

Hotel approved despite protests By Justin Randell WOLLONGONG — The controversial $25 million Cliff Road hotel is one step closer to reality after Wollongong Council voted to approve the development application on November 30. The application

Onward Christian soldiers

FredBy Beatrix ChristianSydney Theatre CompanyAt the Wharf Theatre, Sydney Review by Mark Stoyich Beatrix Christian's Fred is a long play. Actually it's two plays — or possibly three. What begins as a brittle, fairly funny murder mystery turns

Resistance changes membership structure

By Sean Healy Due to the increase in the number of people wanting to join Resistance and keep in contact with our campaigns, Resistance has changed its membership structure. It still costs $5 to join Resistance ($3 for high school students), but

To another year of resistance

To another year of resistance For the regular readers, contributors and distributors of Green Left Weekly, the last month or so may have been a little more relaxing than usual, but it has also been frustrating. While many workers tried to enjoy a

Vietnam launches action plan for women

Vietnam launches action plan for women By Reihana Mohideen The women of Vietnam have been described as showing a greater sense of independence than women in other south-east Asian countries. During the war of national liberation, first against

Australia asked to 'please explain'

Australia asked to 'please explain' By Kim Bullimore Australia will be the first western country asked to "please explain" its policies on race to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD). Australia, a