Issue 1322

News

Transport Workers Union members at StarTrack walked off the job for 24 hours following the company’s refusal to negotiate a fair enterprise agreement. Jim McIlroy reports.

Union and community activists want the New South Wales Coalition government to reverse its decision to scrap the historic Manly ferries. Jim McIlroy reports.

Extinction Rebellion and other climate activists began a fortnight of protests and disruptive actions on October 17 to call out the federal government’s failure to address the climate emergency, Isaac Nellist reports.

A well attended online forum shows the growing community concern against plans for a new gas terminal project in Corio Bay. Sue Bull reports.

A coalition of groups are organising to protect parklands in Greater Sydney that are under threat from a new bill that aims to privatise land and buildings. Susan Price reports.

A refugee imprisoned at the Park hotel prison in Carlton told Green Left  that three refugees had tested positive for COVID-19 and that many others have symptoms. Chloe DS reports.

Students and staff are campaigning against the University of Sydney’s plans to move the Gender and Cultural Studies Department into the School of Social and Political Sciences. Elliott Guerrero reports.

The family of Wiradjuri, Kokatha and Wirangu man Wayne Fella Morrison, who died in custody, has forced the South Australian parliament to ban spit hoods. Markela Panegyres reports.

Activists challenge the federal government’s embrace of nuclear-submarine technology and the new AUKUS agreement. Bevan Ramsden reports.

Analysis

Pip Hinman argues that Scott Morrison's much-belated conversion to net zero emissions by 2050 is nothing to celebrate.

The Hunter Asylum Seeker Advocacy is commemorating those who drowned in the SIEV-X disaster, reports Dr Niko Leka

Binoy Kampmark argues that the shortcomings of the COVIDSafe app provide a lesson in exaggerated prowess and diminished performance.

World

While Indonesian soldiers are taking part in a joint training exercise with 150 Australian troops in the Northern Territory, West Papuan civilians are fleeing Indonesian military operations in the Maybrat region, reports Susan Price.

The only way to save Afghanistan is with the solidarity of progressive, democratic and secular forces, says Malalai Joya.

Within weeks, Greenland's parliament is expected to pass a bill reinstating a ban on uranium mining that was lifted in 2013 under pressure from mining companies, reports Peter Boyle.

Pro-democracy protests are again escalating in the Kingdom of Eswatini (Swaziland), after activists were temporarily scared off the streets by the killing of dozens of activists and bystanders by the armed forces, reports Maxime Bowen.

Hundreds of fascists forced their way into the Italian General Confederation of Labour (CGIL) headquarters in Rome on October 9, reports Dave Kellaway.

Juan Carlos Spain money

The revelation that Spain's former king will probably get off scot-free on allegations of corruption has shone a torch down the sewer of the Spanish state, writes Dick Nichols.

Culture

Waiting for Anya film

Barry Healy reviews a recent film about how French villagers saved Jewish children from the Holocaust during World War II.

Wounded Country book cover

Wounded Country is a provocative record of voices from the frontline of the land and water grab of the past two centuries, writes Tracey Carpenter.