News

'We have paid rent in blood'

'We have paid rent in blood' By Kim Bullimore CANBERRA — On the eve of Invasion/Survival Day (January 26), the Daily Telegraph reported that the federal government intended to move the Aboriginal Tent Embassy from the lawns of Old Parliament

Centrelink job cuts, outsourcing continue

By Jim McIlroy BRISBANE — Service delays and staffing shortages have increased in Centrelink offices as the Howard government refuses to retreat on the 5000 job cuts it has imposed on the "social security" agency. Centrelink printing operations

SA 'harmonises' industrial laws

By Melanie Sjoberg ADELAIDE — "Freedom, fairness and flexibility" proclaims the South Australian government's January 23 announcement of its proposed changes to the state's industrial legislation. Acting minister for government enterprises and

AMA: 'Spend more on indigenous health'

AMA: 'Spend more on indigenous health' By Margaret Allum The Australian Medical Association used Australia Day to call for more resources from this year's federal budget to improve indigenous health. Dr Ngiare Brown, the AMA's indigenous health

NSW police commissioner put on the spot

NSW police commissioner put on the spot By Danny Fairfax SYDNEY — More than 100 people attended a public meeting with NSW Police Commissioner Peter Ryan at Ashfield Town Hall on January 27. The meeting was organised by the Ethnic Communities

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

Campaign against VSU debated

By Kylie Moon and Mark Abberton MELBOURNE — On January 18, Victoria's Student Unionism Network (SUN) met. More than 40 student activists from a wide range of Victorian universities and National Union of Students (NUS) state and national

National Action is racist, court rules

National Action is racist, court rules By Jessica Rose ADELAIDE — The leader of National Action, Michael Brander, has lost a defamation action after a magistrate ruled that he is a racist. Brander's claim for damages over a 1995 column by

Injury highlights mine safety crisis

Injury highlights mine safety crisis By Bill Mason BRISBANE — On January 20, mining apprentice Brant North had both legs amputated in a horrific accident at MIM's Oaky Creek mine, about 350 kilometres north-west of Rockhampton. North is in a

Lucas Heights EIS released

Lucas Heights EIS released By Jim Green SYDNEY — On January 18, the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) released the final environmental impact statement on a new nuclear reactor in the southern Sydney suburb of Lucas

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