News

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
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
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
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
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
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
By Nick Fredman LISMORE — Thirty-five activists attended a general meeting of the North East Forest Alliance (NEFA) at Rosebank, near Lismore, on February 15 to discuss recent changes to forestry legislation and agreements. The gathering assessed
Socialists: 'Migrants don't cause unemployment' By Paul Benedek PARRAMATTA — The Democratic Socialists will be standing two candidates in Sydney's western suburbs in the March 27 NSW state election. Shane Bentley, 27, will contest the seat of
Beverley uranium mine breaches standards By David Noonan Reports commissioned by the federal government on the Beverley uranium mine in South Australia reveal that the government does not have enough information to justify approval of the mine.
Reception for Gerry Adams BRISBANE — Despite attacks from Liberal opposition councillors, who will boycott the event, Labor Mayor Jim Soorley has defended his decision to invite Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams to a civic reception at
By Tuntuni Bhattacharyya SYDNEY — As of February 20, seven doctors camped outside the NSW Parliament House had not taken any food for six days. The hunger strike by members of Australian Doctors Trained Overseas is to protest the Australian

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.