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Last week was one of much activity in the regional city of Cairns, as the push for abortion law reform in the state shows no sign of slowing down.
“Delivering for all Working Australians” was the slogan for the 2009 Australian Council of Trade Unions congress held June on 2-4. This raises the question — what if you are not working or an Australian citizen? But the congress will not be remembered for such philosophical questions — there were many more immediate issues at stake.
The recent freeing of two Israeli spies shows that, if the US government really wanted to, it could also free the Cuban Five, noted Annalucia Vermunt, a participant in the recent international youth gathering in Cuba in support of the five Cuban men held in US prisons on trumped-up charges.
The Don’t Extradite the Basques Campaign was formally launched on June 10 against the extradition to Spain of Belfast-based Basque pro-independence activists Inaki de Juana and Arturo “Benat” Villanueva at a press conference in west Belfast.
My Name is Rachel Corrie
From the writings of Rachel Corrie, edited by Alan Rickman and Katharine Viner
Directed by Shannon Murphy
With Belinda Bromilow
Seymour Centre, Sydney until June 20
Tickets from $20
Visit www.seymour.usyd.edu.au/boxoffice/bite_rachel09.shtml
Marion Scrymgour — the highest ranking Aboriginal member of any government in Australia — quit the Northern Territory Labor Party over its Aboriginal policy on June 4. As an independent, she now holds the balance of power.

Saharawi workers met in El Aaiun in Moroccan-occupied Western Sahara on May 15 to discuss their grievances with their former employers: both Spanish companies and the Spanish government.

On the morning of May 31, international students in Melbourne began a powerful protest against the recent street violence that has targeted South Asian international students in particular.
Police arrested four climate change activists on June 9 after their protest stopped production for five hours at Australia’s largest aluminium smelter at Tomago, near Newcastle.
As more US people become homeless and the recession deepens, The Guaranty Bank of Austin has decided to demolish 12 brand-new double story homes in Victorville, California.
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas
Written by John Boyne & Mark Herman
Directed by Mark Herman
With Asa Butterfield, Vera Farmiga, David Thewlis & Jack Scanlon
In cinemas
“Say it loud, say it clear! Racists are not welcome here!” chanted protesters at the steps of Federation Square in Melbourne on June 10.