News

Lesbian and gay rights: is Mardi Gras enough?

On February 5, more than 22,000 gathered on the steps of the Sydney Opera House for the launch of the 1999 Mardi Gras season.

Tent Embassy ceremonial fire desecrated

By Kim Bullimore CANBERRA — On the orders of parliamentary officials, federal police again attacked a peaceful protest by members of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy on the lawns of Parliament House on February 15. Police violently wrenched spears,

Forests become an election issue

Forests become an election issue By Simon Kenny On February 16, the Sydney Morning Herald reported that the wood supply guaranteed by the National Parks and Forestry Estate Act (1998) for the next 20 years is to be reviewed by the NSW Audit

Support grows for sacked Gordonstone miners

By Paul Glenning ROCKHAMPTON — The 17-month dispute at Gordonstone mine in central Queensland has escalated over the past two weeks as the new owner, Rio Tinto, has attempted to bus non-union labour onto the mine site. Meeting them every

Liberals attempt to buy NSW votes

Liberals attempt to buy NSW votes By Marina Carman SYDNEY — Vote Liberal and get $1000 (or $1100 in shares). Sound too good to be true? It is. Electricity privatisation will be a big issue in the Liberals' campaign for the March 27 NSW

Forum on feminism

By Kathy Newnam ADELAIDE — As part of preparations for International Women's Day, a forum on February 6 featured a range of speakers on the theme chosen by the 1999 IWD Collective, "Women Unite For Your Rights". Melanie Sjoberg, an industrial

Action updates

Firefighters demand a fair deal ADELAIDE — Firefighters and their supporters rallied on February 10 in support of an 18% pay rise. The SA government has offered 6% over three years. Mick Doyle, secretary of the United Fire Fighters Union

Chikarovski's record on abortion

By Tuntuni Bhattacharyya SYDNEY — Not long after she was elected leader of the NSW Liberal opposition, Kerry Chikarovski told the Sydney Morning Herald that she "believes in a woman's right to terminate a pregnancy safely, because New South Wales

Cops extinguish Tent Embassy fire

Cops extinguish Tent Embassy fire By Kim Bullimoreand Paul Oboohov CANBERRA — On February 8, elders and supporters from the Aboriginal Tent Embassy took their protest to the lawns of new Parliament House to coincide with the resumption of

Hanson warns 'traitor' MPs

By Bill Mason BRISBANE — The crisis in Pauline Hanson's racist One Nation party has deepened. Hanson attacked the Queensland state MPs who resigned recently as "traitors", and warned that One Nation candidates would stand against the defectors.

Thousands expected for anti-Jabiluka rally

Thousands expected for anti-Jabiluka rally By Emma Webb ADELAIDE — Thousands of people are expected to turn out for the anti-Jabiluka uranium mine rally planned to coincide with the WOMADelaide festival on February 21. The rally will start at

New MUA rank and file web page

New MUA rank and file web page The MUA Rank-and-File movement has given itself a national voice and discussion forum with the establishment of a web page. The address is <http://www.angelfire.com/ma/rank/index.html>.