News

Indonesian Chinese PRD leader visits

Indonesian Chinese PRD leader visits Hendri Kuok, a member of the central leadership council of the Indonesian People's Democratic Party (PRD), ended a one-month visit to Australia on January 30. One of the central purposes of Kuok's visit was to

ACT government to force staff into individual contracts

ACT government to force staff into individual contracts By Stuart Martin CANBERRA — After failing to force certified agreements on workers employed in the Chief Minister's Department, Canberra Hospital and ACT Housing, the ACT Liberal

IWD: 'Women and workers united'

IWD: 'Women and workers united' IWD: 'Women and workers united' By Margarita Windisch MELBOURNE — The International Women's Day Collective has decided that this year's theme will be "Women and workers of the world united in action". The day's

Pakistan socialist speaks

Pakistan socialist speaks CANBERRA — Farooq Tariq, secretary of the Labour Party of Pakistan, was the guest speaker at a Green Left Weekly public meeting, "The struggle for people's democracy and nationhood in South Asia", on January 14. Farooq

One Nation MP in row over CJC

One Nation MP in row over CJC By Bill Mason BRISBANE — Queensland One Nation MP Jack Paff has pledged to introduce bills to abolish the Criminal Justice Commission and its parliamentary watchdog, the Parliamentary Criminal Justice Committee.

Mine owners ravage West Coast Tasmania

Mine owners ravage West Coast Tasmania By Dave Andrews ROSEBERY — Three of West Coast Tasmania's major mines are facing bleak prospects as management and financial backers threaten mass sackings, back-breaking roster changes and possible

MUA rank and file group grows

MUA rank and file group grows PERTH — On January 18, the Western Australian Maritime Union of Australia rank-and-file group held a successful general meeting at the Buffalo Club in Fremantle. The turnout of 80 members was double the inaugural

Textile workers force company to talk

Textile workers force company to talk By Susan Price and Chris Slee MELBOURNE After 50 days of being locked out, members of the Textile, Clothing and Footwear Union (TCFUA) at the Australian Dyeing Company (ADC) have won a couple of victories in

Education workers score 'great win'

Education workers score 'great win' By Melanie Sjoberg ADELAIDE — Following recommendations by the Industrial Relations Commission that the government release funds for extra staffing in schools and that the Australian Education Union

Cops attack Timbarra protest

Cops attack Timbarra protest By Nick Fredman LISMORE — Police violently attacked a protest at the entrance to the Timbarra gold mine, under construction near Tenterfield, on January 19. Twelve people were arrested at the peaceful action. The

Jabiluka campaign gathers pace

Jabiluka campaign gathers pace By Emma Webb ADELAIDE — Three anti-uranium activists are facing charges including assaulting a police officer, obstructing arrest and property damage following a December 13 rally and march against the Jabiluka

Students prepare to fight VSU

By Wendy Robertson Sydney — On January 17-18, around 150 students, a number of academics and staff gathered at the University of Technology Sydney for an anti-VSU ("voluntary student unionism") planning conference. The conference adopted four