News

UNSW academics turn backs on celebration

UNSW academics turn backs on celebration By Bea Brear SYDNEY — On March 18, about 100 academic staff at the University of New South Wales turned their backs in a symbolic protest on the launch of the university's 50th anniversary celebrations.

ASIET meeting on East Timor

ASIET meeting on East Timor By Mike Byrne BRISBANE — A public meeting at the Resistance Centre on March 17, organised by Green Left Weekly and Action in Solidarity with Indonesia and East Timor (ASIET), discuss "Which way forward for an

Textile union prosecutes Nike

By Vannessa Hearman MELBOURNE — The Textile, Clothing and Footwear Union of Australia (TCFUA) is prosecuting Nike and three other garment manufacturers (Swiss Model, Apple and Motto) in the Federal Court for alleged breaches of the industry

AEU leaders replace industrial action with levy

By Norrian Rundle MELBOURNE — Victorian Australian Education Union members are very angry at the unprecedented votes in February by the union's council to impose a $100 compulsory levy on all members but to take no industrial action for the next

Council kicks out Boral

Council kicks out Boral By Alison Dellit and Hugh McCallum NEWCASTLE — On February 9, Newcastle City Council voted nine to two to make environmental performance part of the criteria for deciding which companies it will have commercial dealings

Left parties stand in NSW election

Left parties stand in NSW election By Sam Wainwright SYDNEY — As Labor and the Coalition engage in a cynical law-and-order auction for the March 27 NSW poll, the biggest talking point has been the record 80 parties (264 candidates) contesting

Speak-out against anti-abortionists

Speak-out against anti-abortionists By Jenny Long SYDNEY — Around 30 activists attended a March 13 speak-out against anti-abortionists' harassment of patients at an abortion clinic in Sydney's inner west. As pro-choice activists described the

Melbourne teachers achieve a victory

By Mary Merkenich MELBOURNE — Australian Education Union members at Mill Park Secondary College in Melbourne's north-west recently stopped an erosion of their working conditions. Mill Park is the second largest state secondary college in

CFMEU accused of breaching Workplace Relations Act

CFMEU accused of breaching Workplace Relations Act By Michael Bull MELBOURNE — The Construction and General Division of the Victorian branch of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Engineering Union (CFMEU) is facing two separate court

Fighting racism on the Cox Peninsula

By Mick Lambe COX PENINSULA, NT — People Against Racism In Australian Hotels (PARIAH) was created to expose and challenge escalating racism and bigotry here. This is one of the few places in Australia where indigenous people are still in the

Battle intensifies to save ADI St Marys site

By Kylie Moon PENRITH — Sydney's urban sprawl is relentless. One proposed project is at the 1535-hectare Australian Defence Industries (ADI) St Marys site, bordering Penrith and the Blue Mountains. The site, the largest remaining tract of

Community Legal Centres resist restructuring

Community Legal Centres resist restructuring By Graham Matthews BRISBANE — On March 8, about 50 community legal centre (CLC) workers, management committee members and supporters attended a public meeting to hear an explanation of the federal