News

Feminists march for IWD

After having been postponed due to rain a week earlier, the International Women's Day march went ahead in Adelaide on March 13, reports Jo Ellis. Three hundred women and men rallied in support of the march's main demand, that anti-abortion laws be

Kurds demand Ocalan's release

Kurds demand Ocalan's release By James Vassilopoulos CANBERRA — Four hundred Kurds protested against the kidnapping and cruel treatment of Abdullah Ocalan, the leader of the Kurdish Workers Party (PKK), outside the federal parliament on March

Go (get those shoulder pads) girl!

By Alana Kerrand Jen Crothers SYDNEY — "go girl!", the Sydney Women's Festival held in the Domain on March 7, was attended by around 7000 people. Those who believed the hype that the festival was to be the new face of the feminist movement would

Equality before the law?

Equality before the law? By Tony Iltis HOBART — On March 4, Robyn Scotney from Bridgewater was jailed for a year for "defrauding the commonwealth". Her actual crime? She had failed to notify Centrelink that she was in a "de facto" relationship.

Tanner laments 'family breakdown'

Tanner laments 'family breakdown' By Jo Brown CANBERRA — Victorian Labor "left" MP Lindsay Tanner addressed a public meeting of 60 students organised by the Labor Left Club at the Australian National University on March 9. Tanner, who was

WA plans boot camps for addicts

WA plans boot camps for addicts By Stuart Munckton PERTH — Western Australia's Liberal government is considering using "boot camps" to deal with the drug problem in the state. Under the plan, a heroin addict convicted of a criminal offence

Plumbers' union campaigns for increased apprentice wages

Plumbers' union campaigns for increased apprentice wages By Vannessa Hearman A year ago the Plumbing Division of the Communication, Electrical and Plumbing Union (CEPU) lodged a wage claim with the Industrial Relations Commission to increase

Textile union prosecutes Nike

By Vannessa Hearman MELBOURNE — The Textile, Clothing and Footwear Union of Australia (TCFUA) is prosecuting Nike and three other garment manufacturers (Swiss Model, Apple and Motto) in the Federal Court for alleged breaches of the industry

AEU leaders replace industrial action with levy

By Norrian Rundle MELBOURNE — Victorian Australian Education Union members are very angry at the unprecedented votes in February by the union's council to impose a $100 compulsory levy on all members but to take no industrial action for the next

Council kicks out Boral

Council kicks out Boral By Alison Dellit and Hugh McCallum NEWCASTLE — On February 9, Newcastle City Council voted nine to two to make environmental performance part of the criteria for deciding which companies it will have commercial dealings

Left parties stand in NSW election

Left parties stand in NSW election By Sam Wainwright SYDNEY — As Labor and the Coalition engage in a cynical law-and-order auction for the March 27 NSW poll, the biggest talking point has been the record 80 parties (264 candidates) contesting

Speak-out against anti-abortionists

Speak-out against anti-abortionists By Jenny Long SYDNEY — Around 30 activists attended a March 13 speak-out against anti-abortionists' harassment of patients at an abortion clinic in Sydney's inner west. As pro-choice activists described the