News

Gordonstone miners remain defiant

By Graham Matthews and Paul Glenning EMERALD — More than 1000 miners and their supporters marched through Emerald in central Queensland on February 27 chanting "What do we want — scabs out" and "Workers united will never be defeated" in

Abortion rights action planned

By Jennifer Long SYDNEY — Thousands of women are expected at the International Women's Day march and rally here on March 6 to demand abortion rights, funding for women's services, free child-care and equal pay. "Everyone should turn up to the IWD

Support grows for sacked Gordonstone miners

By Paul Glenning ROCKHAMPTON — The 17-month dispute at Gordonstone mine in central Queensland has escalated over the past two weeks as the new owner, Rio Tinto, has attempted to bus non-union labour onto the mine site. Meeting them every

Liberals attempt to buy NSW votes

Liberals attempt to buy NSW votes By Marina Carman SYDNEY — Vote Liberal and get $1000 (or $1100 in shares). Sound too good to be true? It is. Electricity privatisation will be a big issue in the Liberals' campaign for the March 27 NSW

Protest against parallel runway

Protest against parallel runway By Robyn Marshall BRISBANE — The peace and quiet of the tree-lined streets and coffee shops of suburban Bulimba were disturbed on February 14, when 4000 people marched down the hill to demonstrate against the

NSW Coalition: coy or sneaky?

NSW Coalition: coy or sneaky? By Dick Nichols SYDNEY — Since before Christmas, NSW Liberal leader Kerry Chikarovski has been saying her industrial relations policy would not be released for "another couple of weeks". Nationals' leader George

Prison officers condemn private prison

Prison officers condemn private prison By Sarah Harris PERTH — The WA Coalition government wants a private company, Correction Corporation of Australia, to operate a proposed 750-bed medium security jail at Wooroloo, 50 kilometres east of

Action updates

Help register socialists in Tasmania HOBART — The Democratic Socialists are attempting to register as a party with the Tasmanian electoral office. This will enable DS candidates to appear on state election ballot papers with their party

Victorian Labor blames teachers

Victorian Labor blames teachers By Mary Merkenich MELBOURNE — Earlier this month, Victorian ALP leader John Brumby announced his "zero tolerance" education policy. The policy attacks teachers, ignores the real causes of illiteracy and is much

NSW forest campaigners discuss strategy

By Nick Fredman LISMORE — Thirty-five activists attended a general meeting of the North East Forest Alliance (NEFA) at Rosebank, near Lismore, on February 15 to discuss recent changes to forestry legislation and agreements. The gathering assessed

Socialists: 'Migrants don't cause unemployment'

Socialists: 'Migrants don't cause unemployment' By Paul Benedek PARRAMATTA — The Democratic Socialists will be standing two candidates in Sydney's western suburbs in the March 27 NSW state election. Shane Bentley, 27, will contest the seat of

Beverley uranium mine breaches standards

Beverley uranium mine breaches standards By David Noonan Reports commissioned by the federal government on the Beverley uranium mine in South Australia reveal that the government does not have enough information to justify approval of the mine.