News

By Pat Brewer CANBERRA — After a 17-hour sitting, the ACT Legislative Assembly imposed new restrictions on women's access to abortion on November 25. In a compromise, amendments moved by independent MP and health minister Michael Moore eliminated
'Newcastle needs a working-class alternative' 'Newcastle needs a working-class alternative' By Stephen O'Brien NEWCASTLE — Following the November 21 federal Newcastle by-election, the Democratic Socialists have announced that they will
Democratic Socialists to contest NSW elections Democratic Socialists to contest NSW elections By Tom Flanagan The Democratic Socialists have announced four candidates for the NSW elections scheduled for March 27. Standing in Port Jackson is
ACT government workers ready to fight By Stuart Martin CANBERRA — In a strong show of opposition to the ACT government's attacks on public servants, and in defiance of intimidation by management, Community and Public Sector Union members
By Elena Jeffreysand John Curran PERTH — Western Australia's attorney general, Peter Foss, has commended the Surveillance Devices Bill 1997 to the upper house. The government of Premier Richard Court would like it passed there before Christmas.
By Melanie Sjoberg ADELAIDE — More than 1000 members of the Public Service Association rallied on the steps of Parliament House on November 23 to protest the state government's lousy wages offer. PSA general secretary Jan McMahon said that with
Malaysians demonstrate for democracy SYDNEY — Supporters of democracy in Malaysia held a picket outside the Malaysian Airlines office here on November 28. The demonstration was organised by the newly formed Malaysians for Democracy.
MUA ranks launch campaign to revive union By Dick Nichols PERTH — On November 25, Western Australian wharfies and seafarers determined to revive their union, the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA), met in Fibber McGees Irish pub in Leederville.
By Bronwen Beechey ADELAIDE — On November 20, 500 people rallied in Victoria Square to protest the SA government's budget cuts to mental health services. Mental health workers and clients, along with members of the Australian Nurses Federation
Radiation leak in Kakadu Uranium mining operations are directly threatening the long-term integrity of Kakadu National Park, the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) said on November 19. The statement followed news of a radioactive spill which
By Jim McIlroy On November 19, stop-work meetings of Centrelink staff around the country voted overwhelmingly to walk out in protest at plans to cut 5000 jobs. Centrelink is the federal government's major welfare service delivery agency. Members of
Indonesian consulate picketed SYDNEY — Supporters of the struggle for democracy in Indonesia picketed the Indonesian consulate in Maroubra on November 18. Protest organisers from Action in Solidarity with Indonesia and East Timor (ASIET) and