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Loose cannons

Evil genius I "Am I the evil genius in the corner that nobody ever sees come out of his hole? It's a nice way to operate, actually." — US Vice-President Dick Cheney, quoted in USA Today, January 19. Evil genius II "In a well-reported piece

Nauru report 'ridiculous'

Sarah Stephen The Australian government delegation sent to the Pacific island state of Nauru to assess its health services on January 12-14 released the report of its findings on January 29. The delegation was given narrow terms of reference for

Socialists mobilise for election

During the short Queensland election campaign, the three Socialist Alliance candidates mobilised more than 100 supporters to take socialism to the electorate. Adrian Skerritt, candidate for Inala, received 3.1% of the primary vote, after running a

BRITAIN: A 'mighty political force' to take on Labour

Julian Coppens, London "Nothing other than a mighty new political force has been born!", bellowed George Galloway in his closing speech to more than 1500 activists, who assembled on January 25 at Freedom House in London for the founding

Challenge to Peter Beattie

Socialist Alliance candidate for the seat of Brisbane Coral Wynter held a Challenge to Beattie rally on February 4. "We all know that Premier Peter Beattie will win this election", Wynter said. "The real question is: what will Labor do with its

NSW TAFE anti-fees campaign

Leon Parissi, Sydney Thousands of NSW TAFE students face a massive fees hike this year. A union- and student-based campaign to oppose the new fees has built up a head of steam since the middle of last year. Unionists oppose the fees because public

Write on: Letters to the editor

Che anti-queer I was glad to see the Socialist Alliance attend this year's Queer Pride March. It is important that the left continue to have a presence at the event. However, I was not impressed with your choice of banner. Taking a banner featuring

News briefs #2

New Zealand resettles more refugees On January 27, the New Zealand government announced that it would resettle on humanitarian grounds 20 asylum seekers held in the Australian-funded detention centre on Nauru. The asylum seekers have not been

Why NSW psychiatrists are working to rule

Margaret Perrott Members of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) will ignore the bed restrictions in NSW hospitals and admit mentally ill patients for "as long as they need". The ABC Radio National's PM program

Living in limbo

Molly and MobarakWritten and directed by Tom ZubryckiShowing at the Kino Cinema, Melbourne; the Schonell, St Lucia, Brisbane; and the Valhalla, Glebe, Sydney REVIEW BY TONY ILTIS Tom Zubrycki's documentary film Molly and Mobarak opens with shots

Queensland election sweeps ALP back in

Jim McIlroy, Brisbane The ALP government of Premier Peter Beattie has been swept back into office in the February 7 Queensland election, with its record majority only slightly reduced. The net loss of ALP seats is likely to be three to

Students confront Howard

Kiraz Janicke, Perth Around 40 students ambushed Prime Minister John Howard on February 3, chanting "Howard, come off it, education is not for profit" as he entered the 6PR radio station. The following day, another crowd gathered outside Liberal