News

Burma solidarity conference demands democracy

Burma solidarity conference demands democracy By Trish Corcoran MELBOURNE — Up to 100 people attended the Activist Conference for a Free Burma on July 18 and 19 to discuss the political situation in Burma and the prospects for democratisation.

Parliamentary representation weakened

By Tony Iltis HOBART — Tasmania's parliament voted last week to cut the size of the lower house from 35 to 25, by reducing the number of members elected by each electorate from 7 to 5. This will make it harder for minor parties and independents

'Voting' against racism

'Voting' against racism By Amelia Jones and Mathew Munro HOBART — When Hanson visited Hobart last year, more than 5000 people protested outside her public meeting against racism and bigotry. The details of her latest visit to Hobart, however,

Protesters occupy BCA property

By Martin Iltis and Tony Iltis MELBOURNE — Around 200 people rallied in the Bourke Street Mall at lunchtime on July 14 to protest against uranium mining at Jabiluka. Speakers pointed out that the government's pro-mining policies show no regard

Victorian art students reject fees

Victorian art students reject fees By Kylie Moon MELBOURNE — Students from the Victorian College of the Arts returned to campus on July 13 to discover that a subcommittee of the college council had voted narrowly in favour of recommending full

Jabiluka's political prisoners

By Rebecca Meckelburg and Jim Green Non-violent actions to stop the Jabiluka uranium mine have led to hundreds of arrests at the blockade in recent weeks. Protesters have endured police violence and appalling conditions in the police lock-up, and

Tax staff support bad agreement

Tax staff support bad agreement By Ben Courtice MELBOURNE — The Australian Tax Office management's draft enterprise agreement was accepted by 79.6% of staff who voted in a ballot taken between July 13 and 15. Fifty-six per cent of

Hydro, Hare-Clark dominate Tasmanian poll

By Alex Bainbridge HOBART — Premier Tony Rundle has ended months of speculation by calling an early state election for August 29, accompanied by a partial dismantling of Tasmania's proportional Hare-Clark voting system. Rundle is campaigning on a

Warehouse workers fight casualisation

Warehouse workers fight casualisation By Gail Lord SYDNEY — Members of the National Union of Workers (NUW) have been on strike for over a week to stop attempts by Davids Ltd to increase casualisation and working hours for its warehouse staff.

CPSU cuts funds to the ACT branch

By Tim Gooden CANBERRA — On July 1, the Community and Public Sector Union joint national secretary, Wendy Caird, and national assistant secretary, Doug Lilly, travelled to Canberra to inform the ACT branch secretary, Jennifer Eccles, that at

Brisbane Centrelink unionists walk out

By Nick Everett BRISBANE — Around 30 union members walked off the job in Brisbane's Centrelink Call Centre at 2.45pm on July 10, frustrated by continuous computer system problems. Before the walkout, 53 Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU)

Trade union leader reports on Indonesia

Trade union leader reports on Indonesia By Bayardo Rodriegas MELBOURNE — At a reception for Victorian Trades Hall secretary Leigh Hubbard on July 17, participants heard about the growth and prospects of Indonesia's fledgling independent trade