Free speech attacked
ADELAIDE — Green Left Weekly sellers on May 8 were ordered to stop selling the paper at the Adelaide Central Markets. Since its inception, Green Left has had a presence at the markets. Distributors were given no convincing reasons for the ban were provided, just a vague reference to "harassment".
This follows two months of "cat and mouse" between GLW sellers and security staff in Rundle Mall. The Adelaide City Council has written to Green Left stating that in order to distribute the paper in the mall, GLW sellers must pay $10 per person per week, wear a uniform and present the paper in an official display container.
Readers can telephone 8231 6982 to join the campaign for free speech.
Hindmarsh Island bridge meeting
ADELAIDE — On April 22, 150 people attended a meeting in support of the campaign against building a bridge at Hindmarsh Island (Kumarangk). Speakers included Ngarrindjeri women and men, other indigenous people and supporters. They reaffirmed their commitment to stop the bridge construction, despite the adverse High Court ruling last month.
Ngarrindjeri women described how they had felt a sense of loss and sadness after the High Court decision. Some have become sick. Many speakers made the point that the High Court's ruling is an example of Australian law failing to recognise the rights and needs of the indigenous population.
No Diet Day
LISMORE — Around 40 people attended World No Diet Day at Southern Cross University here on May 6. It was organised by the Women's Collective and Richmond Health Services' nutritionist, Jillian Adams.
After a screening of Beyond Barbie — Roasting the Beauty Myth, which examines body image, people got stuck into sumptuous vegan cakes and tropical fruit platters. Plans for further consciousness-raising about the effects of unhealthy portrayals of women in the media, at the university and in the community were discussed.
Students confront Downer
MELBOURNE — Foreign minister Alexander Downer was trapped in his car for half an hour by student protesters at Melbourne University on May 8.
Thirty students surrounded the car, linked arms and chanted, "Suharto is a butcher, Downer is his friend!". Downer had arrived to deliver a keynote address to a $500-a-head forum sponsored by the Melbourne University Faculty of Economics. The protest was organised by University Students for East Timor and Action in Solidarity with Indonesia and East Timor.
Police eventually dragged students away from the car and escorted Downer into the building.
Werribee opposes toxic waste dump
MELBOURNE — More than 15,000 Werribee residents and their supporters attended a rally at the Werribee Racecourse on May 4 to oppose the planned CSR toxic waste dump.
The size of the rally has sent the state government and CSR public relations into a tizz. Premier Jeff Kennett made a "personal promise" that there was nothing dangerous about the dump, a local Liberal politician has suddenly opposed the state government over the dump and CSR said it would be closed if any toxic substances were found in the dump.
The site is in one of the fastest growing residential corridors just one kilometre from housing and is adjacent to areas that produce much of Melbourne's vegetables. Harry van Moorst from Werribee Residents Against Toxic Dumps said the public campaign against the dump has only begun.
Another dump planned for Niddrie is also being opposed by resident action groups.
Pramoedya Ananta Toer honoured
HOBART — Around 30 people attended the Australia-Asia Society of Tasmania's lecture on dissident Indonesian writer Pramoedya Ananta Toer on May 7. The talk, by University of Tasmania lecturer Dr Pam Allen, described Pramoedya's arrests, torture and jailing because of his support for democracy in Indonesia, and video interviews with the author were screened.