News

MELBOURNE - Active members and delegates from the Public Sector Union in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra held a national con- ference here on January 26 to discuss problems facing public servants and map out a strategy against the

MELBOURNE — The Australian Workers Union has claimed that the health of fruit pickers is being endangered by uncon- trolled use of the pesticide parathion, and is demanding action from the Victorian government to end its

Report on Indonesian struggles NEWCASTLE — Green Left correspondent Michael Tardif addressed a forum on Indonesia here on January 29. Tardif outlined the broad progressive movement in Indonesia and the growing grassroots opposition to the

WOLLONGONG — Canteen workers at BHP's Port Kembla steelworks have struck for at least five days over plans by their new employer, Advance Food Systems, to reduce their number from 108 to 68. The new canteen contractor wants to

Wallsend Hospital holds firmNEWCASTLE — After six months, the picket line at Wallsend Hospital is as firm and determined as it ever was. Barbara Hardes told Green Left at the picket, "We are staying no matter what

When Charles (Paul) Moran became aware that there were health problems related to asbestos mining, he asked his white bosses would they provide protective clothing for the miners at the Baryulgil asbestos mine. Moran says he

WA safe sex campaign hitPERTH — The safe sex campaign launched by state health minister Keith Wilson has been condemned by ACT UP Perth, the Family Planning Association, the Uniting Church and the Australian Federation of

Aidex aftermath NEWCASTLE — At the Stop Aidex protest, Peace Forum members Ron Gallagher and Bob Berghout were arrested. Both pleaded not guilty. Ron's trial is coming up early in April and Bob's was brought to a happy conclusion two weeks

The Wilderness Society has welcomed the decision of the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) to step in and block woodchip logging in a forest dominated by giant brown barrel trees in the Coolangubra wilderness in the

HOBART — About 5000 people participated in a January 29 protest over funding cuts and staff shortages at Royal Hobart Hospital, Tasmania's major tertiary referral hospital. The demonstration, organised by the Save the

CANBERRA — "Stop the Labor/Liberal program of sack, slash, tax and sell!" is the slogan being raised in the February 15 ACT Legislative Assembly elections by Democratic Socialist candidate Lara Pullin. The Labor and Liberal

Expects agreement "I obviously don't retract from what I said but I'm not seeking to have any argument with Malaysia." — Liberal frontbencher John Howard after a remark that Malaysia is a racist nation. Deep thinker "The US motor