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On the socialist campaign trail

A call for socialist ideas Speaking at the launch of Socialist Alliance candidate Jim McIlroy’s campaign for the federal seat of Griffith, held by ALP leader Kevin Rudd, veteran socialist and university lecturer Gary MacLennan called for the continuation of the struggle for socialist ideas.

Loose Cannons

Money for nothing "The biggest banks in the United States, with active encouragement from the Treasury Department, unveiled a plan yesterday to keep the housing-related debt crisis from worsening. If the banks' initiative works as planned … the

Same-sex marriage: does Kevin07 mean Kevin1907

Kevin Rudd should overturn the ALP’s policy of supporting the ban on same-sex marriage.

Sydney City Council pushes for free speech tariff

On October 15, on a vote of five to three, a Sydney City Council planning committee voted to send the development applications (DAs) for the distribution of mX, City Weekly and 9 to 5 to the next council meeting for approval.

On the Box

The Book that Shook the World — The Little Red School Book has been described as "essentially a manual for kids on how to challenge the authority of the school system". SBS, Friday, November 2, 8.30pm. Australia by Numbers: Brewarrina 2839 —

Labor to fund gimmicks, not services

On October 21, the day of the “great debate”, Labor leader Kevin Rudd announced Labor’s latest policy to help “working families”. He promised, if elected, to increase the federal government rebate on child care costs from 30% to 50% and to pay the rebate quarterly rather than annually. This promise stands alongside Labor’s pledge to allocate $2.5 billion dollars to allow “working families” to claim 50% of educational costs up to $750 per year for primary school kids, or $1500 for high schoolers. And of course, let’s not forget the “education revolution”.

Japanese visit boosts anti-GM movement

The movement to oppose genetically modified crops and foods in Australia received international support for its campaign with the October tour of the Consumers’ Union of Japan (CUJ).

Understanding Iraq

The Occupation: War and Resistance in Iraq
By Patrick Cockburn
Verso, 2006
229 pages, $49.95 (hb)

Exposing the 'greenhouse mafia'

Guy Pearse — the speechwriter for the federal Coalition environment minister from 1997 to 2000 who blew the whistle last year on the Howard government’s use of Australia’s biggest polluters to write its greenhouse gas emissions policy — visited Melbourne on October 24 as part of an east-coast speaking tour.

Meeting discusses peace in Sri Lanka

On September 21 about 200 people attended a forum on Sri Lanka organised by People for Human Rights and Racial Equality, a group comprising Sri Lankans of different ethnic groups living in Australia.

Green Left Weekly's $250,000 Fighting Fund: The Rainbow Connection

It was when they played Kermit the Frog singing The Rainbow Connection at Gail Lord’s funeral that I started crying.

Behind the blather

In the lead-up to the federal election, your guide to what’s really happening behind the spin of the official campaign.