Issue 1284

News

There are strong indications that the Queensland Greens will increase their parliamentary representation after the October 31 election, which is being seen as a referendum on Labor's handling of the COVID-19 crisis, reports Alex Bainbridge.

Extinction Rebellion has taken to the streets across the country to call for a transition to net zero greenhouse gas emissions and a halt to biodiversity loss, reports Pip Hinman.

Refugee Action Collective (Victoria) organised an online rally to discuss widespread concern about draconian laws being used against activists, reports Chloe DS

The New South Wales Industrial Relations Commission has given close to half a million public sector workers a slap in the face for their efforts over a very difficult year, reports Jim McIlroy.

Against scientific advice, the NSW government has approved Wollongong Coal's push to expand its underground mine at Russell Vale, reports Kerry Smith.

Analysis

As Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan unleashes more assaults on the country’s battered democratic institutions, Sam Wainwright looks at why Australia must support the democratic forces battling to create a just and democratic society in the Middle East.

Bosses could hardly contain their glee at the 2020-21 budget. It is hardly surprising, writes Peter Boyle, given that it was a massive corporate handout.

Sarah Hathway sees community voices as being central to the way council should be working. Sue Bull reports.

Sue Bolton, who is seeking re-election for a third term on Moreland City Council, says the COVID-19 pandemic has proven the privatisation of care work leads to deadly results. Chloe DS reports.

The “gas is cleaner” lie is but one of scores of Orwellian falsehoods in look-the-other-way neoliberal Australia, argues Gideon Polya.

The federal government has introduced a new bill which, if passed, would help normalise the use of defence forces in a civilian context, write Bevan Ramsden and Pip Hinman.

Rachel Evans reports authorities’ hypocritical application of the law is being challenged as they continue to use emergency health provisions to shut down protests.

Mark Latham's bill aimed at erasing the lives of young gender diverse people could also be a stalking horse for other discriminatory bills, writes Paul Gregoire.

Tuesday’s budget is on everybody’s mind. Most people will be looking for whatever life buoys Treasury throws, writes Suzanne James.

World

A new study has calculated that more than 37 million people have been displaced or forced to flee their homes during the 19 years of the United States war on terror, writes Rupen Savoulian.

Masses of Indonesian workers took strike action across the country on October 6–7 against a new employment law, writes Susan Price.

Green Left speaks to Kanyanatt Kalfagiannis, a Thai democracy activist currently studying in Australia, about the growing pro-democracy movement in Thailand.

The fact President Donald Trump was found to have COVID-19 and became sick enough that he was sent to a Navy hospital has put the pandemic back on the centre stage of the presidential campaign, writes Barry Sheppard.

Thousands of Honduran migrants and refugees have been beaten, arrested, threatened with prison and deported, as they tried to make their way through the closed borders of Guatemala and Mexico, reports Tamara Pearson.

John Pilger has watched Julian Assange’s extradition trial from the public gallery at London’s Old Bailey. He spoke with Timothy Erik Ström about the trial.

Long-time peace activist Vikki John looks back at the bloody history of mining in Bougainville and the new government's plan to take political control over the nation's destiny.

Culture

Simon Butler reviews an important new book that argues gradual reforms can’t resolve the crises humanity faces today.

Message from the Future II: The Years of Repair is an animated short film that dares to dream of a future in which 2020 is a historic turning point, writes Susan Price.