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Community campaigns against deaths in custody

A March 18 emergency community meeting called by the Aboriginal Deaths in Custody Watch Committee attracted more than 35 people.

Labor locks up more refugees

A boat-load of asylum seekers believed to be from Afghanistan has been “intercepted” by the Australian navy and sent to the Christmas Island detention centre.

New England discusses twin crises

ARMIDALE — Thirty people discussed the economic and environmental crises at a public forum organised by the New England Socialist Alliance (SA) branch on March 12.

Britain: Police admit torturing Muslim

Performing in Sydney in 2007, comic Sean Hughes expressed his empathy with Britain’s Muslim community — being Irish and living in London, he knew how it felt to be persecuted in the name of “anti-terrorism”.

Gunns drops legal action against Wilderness Society

On March 16, Tasmanian timber company Gunns' Ltd withdrew its legal case against the Wilderness Society (TWS), and now has to pay $350,000 in costs.

Nuclear waste convoy violates 'nuclear-free' Wollongong

Escorted by more than 400 police and Road Traffic Authority personnel, truckloads of nuclear waste were secretly transported through the streets of Wollongong on March 16, despite massive community opposition.

Boycott Israel campaign starts in WA

PERTH — Friends of Palestine WA (FOPWA) protested outside a function organised by the Australia-Israel Chamber of Commerce (AICC) on March 20.

What alternatives to the CPRS?

Climate activists have been campaigning against the government’s so-called Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) long before the exposure legislation was tabled in parliament on March 10.

G20's pledges will worsen crisis for the poor

A March 20 Sydney Morning Herald article reported that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is now predicting that world economic growth for 2009 will be negative for the first time in more than 60 years — shrinking by as much as 1%.

Justice for Africans

Soubhi Iskander is a leading member of the Sudanese Australia Human Rights Association, a committee based in Sydney’s west, that campaigns for the rights of Sudanese refugees. SAHRA is also an affiliate of the Socialist Alliance.

World's biggest coal port brought to a standstill

More than 500 people protested coal mining and exports currently underway. Newcastle Harbour is already the world’s biggest coal port.

Unfair work bill passes senate

The federal ALP government’s Fair Work Bill passed through the Senate on March 20 after intense wheeling and dealing with Family First Senator Steve Fielding and independent Senator Nick Xenophon.