Issue 1278

News

The family of Tane Chatfield have rejected the coroner’s finding that the Gamilaraay, Gumbaynggirr and Wakka Wakka man died of self-inflicted injuries, reports Rachel Evans.

University workers from across the country have voted to plan unprotected industrial action to oppose federal education minister Daniel Tehan’s cuts to higher education, reports Markela Panegyres.

The inaugural Green Left Feminist Walking Tour uncovered Sydney's little-known feminist and class-struggle history, recounts Rachel Evans.

Wangan and Jagalingou tribal warriors have re-established control of access to their Country by blocking a roadway leading to the Adani mine site, reports Alex Bainbridge.

Bus drivers held a four hour stop-work on August 24 to demand improved conditions and COVID-19 safety measures, reports Jim McIlroy.

The Sustainable Cities community group is calling on the Victorian government to reallocate $16 billion to much needed public transport in the north eastern corridor, writes Mary Merkenich.

The NSW government is pushing to lift the state's 33-year-old ban on uranium mining, prompting environmentalists and unions to speak out, reports Pip Hinman.

Analysis

Centre for Future Work senior economist Alison Pennington talks about the economic implications of the COVID-19 pandemic and alternatives to austerity and deregulation.

Education minister Daniel Tehan's university course hikes, funding cuts and attempts to gouge students must be stopped, writes Leo Crnogorcevic.

The federal government’s response to the pandemic demonstrates how feasible it is to make dramatic changes in a short period of time, argues Alex Bainbridge.

With jobs disappearing and the JobKeeper wages scheme set to be cut, many young people are fearful about how they will find the money to pay for rent, groceries and bills, reports Chloe DS.

Planning and vision are needed to ensure that people suffering housing stress have a roof over their heads, writes Sarah Hathway.

Billionaire mining magnate Clive Palmer has launched multiple court actions against the Western Australian government and its premier. Jim McIlroy argues that with organisation and struggle, we can challenge the ill-gotten wealth of the 1%.

James Wyner recounts how the life of unionist, labour organiser and local government representative Issy Wyner was shaped by the difficult economic times he and his parents lived through.

With such a strong right-wing media bias in regional NSW, is it any wonder that right-leaning parties dominate? Daniel Pehlivan investigates.

The aged care system is showing all the signs of just how a degraded privatised sector works, writes Katherine Davis.

We are often told that plastic waste contaminating land and waters is “recyclable”. It could be but, as Patrick McDonald explains, government support for the fossil fuel industry means that the plastics being produced are not.

World

Ecuador was the first country in the world to enshrine the rights of nature in its constitution. But, as Anthony Amis reports, international mining companies have been given the green light to exploit the country’s copper and gold reserves.

The police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin, has sparked a new round of Black Lives Matter protests, writes Peter Boyle.

Despite a concerted campaign by the United States and its allies, Cuba continues its socialist project of international solidarity through medical care. It's therefore no wonder, according to Vijay Prashad, there is an international campaign to have Cuban doctors honoured with the Nobel Peace Prize.

For almost two weeks, Israeli military forces have bombed Gaza, terrorising its two million Palestinian inhabitants. In response, the Palestinian Boycott Divestment and Sanctions National Committee released the following statement.

Record wildfires in the San Francisco Bay Area have rapidly erupted amid a scorching heat wave – and they are still growing, writes Barry Sheppard.

For years, the Pakistani state has resorted to violent repression and indiscriminate warfare in the south-western province of Balochistan. Faisal Baloch reports human rights abuses are rampant and soldiers act with impunity.

The Amazon will play a critical role in determining the future of life on Earth, given the climate regulating role the rainforest plays, writes Thiago Ávila.

Culture

Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, born 250 years ago, was the most influential and prominent German philosopher of his time. Barry Healy reviews Andy Blunden's guide to understanding and applying Hegel to social change.

Indigenous scholar and activist Nick Estes’ book, Our History is the Future, provides a vivid account of the movement to halt Dakota Access Pipeline, writes Simon Butler.

Climate & Capitalism editor Ian Angus introduces five new books on fungi, climate and capital, food, bluefin tuna and Cuban agriculture.

Modern Monetary Theory has gained in popularity in the past couple of years. Neville Spencer reviews two recent books that provide excellent guides as to what MMT is about.

Continuing his reviews of graphic novels and comics, Andrew Chuter focuses on a work that has had a lasting impact on the global protest movement.