News

One Nation collapse continues

By Bill Mason BRISBANE — Two more One Nation state MPs are out of the party, bringing its number in the Queensland parliament down to five — compared to 11 after the June state election. Member for Maryborough John Kingston and member for

Kurdish community protests Ocalan's imprisonment

By Chris Latham SYDNEY — More than 500 people attended a lively protest against the abduction and imprisonment of Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Ocalan on February 23. The protesters included Kurds from Iran, Syria, Turkey, Iraq

Activist groups square off in Queensland

Activist groups square off in Queensland By Andy Gianniotis BRISBANE — The National Union of Students Queensland (NUSQ) education committee, at its first meeting last week, overturned decisions made by the Cross-campus Anti-VSU Collective

Palm Sunday protests against Jabiluka

Palm Sunday protests against Jabiluka Rallies will be held in many centres on Palm Sunday, March 28, to protest against the Jabiluka uranium mine and other aspects of Australia's involvement in the nuclear fuel cycle. In Melbourne, the rally is

Democratic Socialists launch NSW campaign

Democratic Socialists launch NSW campaign By Jonathan Singer SYDNEY — The Democratic Socialists launched their election campaign for Sydney seats in the March 27 state election with two well-attended functions on February 26. At the Parramatta

Tasmanian health crisis worsens

By Alex Bainbridge HOBART — The establishment media have kept quiet about the continuing health funding crisis in Tasmania after hints from the state government that it is aiming for a balanced budget in May. The funding crisis became headline

Gordonstone miners remain defiant

By Graham Matthews and Paul Glenning EMERALD — More than 1000 miners and their supporters marched through Emerald in central Queensland on February 27 chanting "What do we want — scabs out" and "Workers united will never be defeated" in

Abortion rights action planned

By Jennifer Long SYDNEY — Thousands of women are expected at the International Women's Day march and rally here on March 6 to demand abortion rights, funding for women's services, free child-care and equal pay. "Everyone should turn up to the IWD

'Australian government owes East Timor'

By Nick Everett and Mike Byrne BRISBANE — An interview with jailed Indonesian trade unionist Dita Sari, filmed secretly at Jakarta's Tangerang women's prison in August, was shown here on February 20. A documentary, Bitter Paradise, by Canadian

Anti-racists protest tying up of migrants

Anti-racists protest tying up of migrants By Peter Waits YDNEY — On February 22, the Democratic Socialists and Resistance organised a demonstration to condemn the recent arrest and roping up of "illegal immigrants" in Victoria (see article page

Truss picketed at Centrelink

Truss picketed at Centrelink By Bill Mason BRISBANE — Around 20 members of the Community and Public Sector Union and their supporters picketed the Centrelink Brisbane Call Centre on February 23 to protest against the presence there of Warren

Adams welcomed in Australia

By Dave Riley BRISBANE — According to Brisbane's Courier-Mail, when Gerry Adams entered the civic reception organised in his honour by Mayor Jim Soorley his "welcome was more befitting a rock star than a politician at City Hall, with the crowd