News

Victorian government sneaks through TAFE restructuring

By Maurice Sibelle MELBOURNE — While most people in the community were preparing for the Christmas break, the Victorian minister for vocational education, Phil Honeywood, announced the greatest shake-up of Victoria's TAFE system in 20 years.

Queensland Labor compromises with racism

By Bill Mason BRISBANE — Queensland ALP leader Peter Beattie has urged the Labor Party not to adopt a "heart-on-the-sleeve" approach to the native title issue at the party's national conference in Hobart, as Premier Rob Borbidge gears up for an

Port Hinchinbrook resort protest

Port Hinchinbrook resort protest By Darran Gould PORT HINCHINBROOK — On December 14, the first stage of the Port Hinchinbrook resort was opened by Premier Rob Borbidge and developer Keith Williams. Police and private guards were deployed to

Sorry business: NSW councils split on Aboriginal apology

Sorry business: NSW councils split on Aboriginal apology Like all levels of government, local councils in NSW are under pressure to make a public apology to Aboriginal people of the "stolen generation". Some have been quick to comply, happy to

Conference celebrates the Communist Manifesto

By Jon Land SYDNEY — The Democratic Socialist Party and Resistance commemorated 150 years of the Communist Manifesto with a socialist education conference here, January 3 to 7. The 255 conference participants reaffirmed and discussed the

'Day of Mourning' anniversary

'Day of Mourning' anniversary On January 26, 1938, more than 100 Aboriginal people from communities in NSW, Victoria and Queensland gathered in Sydney to mark the "Day of Mourning" — the 150th anniversary of the invasion by British colonists at

Stop MAI campaign launched

Stop MAI campaign launched By Jo Brown SYDNEY — The launch of a campaign against the Multilateral Agreement on Investment (MAI) was held here on January 15. The MAI, which has been largely hidden from public debate in Australia, is an

Rally in defence of native title

Rally in defence of native title By John Nebauer MELBOURNE — About 1000 people braved the rain to rally in opposition to the Howard government's 10-point plan to amend the Native Title Act on December 13. The rally, called by Campaign

Union supports freedom for political prisoners

Union supports freedom for political prisoners By Vannessa Hearman MELBOURNE — Following an address from representatives of Action in Solidarity with Indonesia and East Timor (ASIET), the Victorian Australian Services Union's Victorian branch

IPEC owner-drivers need solidarity

By Marce Cameron MELBOURNE— Forty owner-drivers sacked by the courier firm IPEC have set up a picket line at the company's Campbellfield distribution depot demanding to be reinstated. The dispute began when clerical workers at the depot, who are

Conference plans defence of public education

By Sean Healy MELBOURNE — Attended by more than 100 people from across Australia, a national education conference, organised jointly by the Student Unionism Network and the National Union of Students, was held here on November 29-30. In addition

SA government gives uranium company power over Aboriginal sites

SA government gives uranium company power over Aboriginal sites By Susan Laszlo The South Australian government is trying to push through a bill which would give the biggest uranium producer in the state, Western Mining Corporation, control over