News

ANU axes arts faculty staff

ANU axes arts faculty staff By Will Williams CANBERRA — An announcement was made in an ANU arts faculty meeting on May 11 that a further 12 staff would be axed from the faculty. The decision was made by the ANU council despite a student and

Budget continues education devastation

Budget continues education devastation By Sean Healy Despite the "sighs of relief" attributed to university vice-chancellors by the major dailies, the 1998-99 federal budget continues the privatisation of higher education. True, there are "no new

Unions to boycott Werribee toxic dump

By Ben Reid MELBOURNE — Trade unions have pledged to oppose construction of the Werribee toxic waste dump. The Australian Workers Union, whose members would build and operate the facility, has indicated that it may black-ban the dump. The

North coast solidarity with the MUA

North coast solidarity with the MUA By Nick Fredman LISMORE — More than 80 people attended a public meeting in solidarity with the Maritime Union of Australia here on May 7. Organised by the Lismore Wharfies Support Group, the meeting was

Biggest Labour Day in 25 years

Biggest Labour Day in 25 years By Chris Dawson As the last of the more than 10,000 Labour Day marchers poured into Albert Park at 11.40am on May 4, Maritime Union national organiser Jim Tannock announced the MUA's High Court victory from the

Struggle continues as wharfies return to work

By James Vassilopoulos After a month of mass pickets, wharfies are back at work at the major Patrick operations, following the Maritime Union of Australia's win in the High Court. Mick O'Leary, national organiser of the MUA, told Green Left Weekly

Conservation Council's funding cut

Conservation Council's funding cut By Bill Mason BRISBANE — Queensland Conservation Council chairperson Carol Booth has accused the Coalition state government of campaigning against outspoken conservationists, following natural resources

Meeting opposes 'Ocean wart'

By Tony Iltis HOBART — Hobart Town Hall was filled to capacity for a meeting organised by the Denison branch of the Tasmanian Greens to oppose the proposed Oceanport retail and residential development at Princes Wharf. The proposed six-story

Labor-Democrats debate a non-event

Labor-Democrats debate a non-event By Ruth Ratcliffe BRISBANE — On May 5, the University of Queensland ALP and Australian Democrats clubs presented a debate about "Labour, Unionism and Change: Perspectives on Industrial Relations Reform —

NSW: 26 deaths in custody in 10 months

On May 3, a 21-year-old man became the 26th person to die while in a NSW prison since July 1, 1997. The apparent suicide by hanging at the Metropolitan Remand and Reception Centre was the fourth prison death in NSW in the last three weeks. "Members

Battle to save Kimberley Fitzroy River

Battle to save Kimberley Fitzroy River On April 30, the WA government tabled a memorandum of understanding between the government and Western Agricultural Industries (WAI) regarding a large-scale irrigation scheme in the west Kimberley region.

Liberals waver on One Nation preferences

By Bill Mason BRISBANE — Under intense criticism, including from within its own ranks, the Queensland Liberal Party has hesitated over its plan to allocate preferences to Pauline Hanson's racist One Nation party ahead of the ALP. On May 8, the