News

  • Greens win Senate place

    Almost three weeks after the federal election, the last Senate position has finally been decided, won by the Australian Greens' Tasmanian candidate, Bob Brown. On March 20, Democrat candidate Robert Bell conceded defeat even

  • A political feast at Easter

    Socialists and other progressive activists from around Australia will be gathering in all capital cities (including Darwin and Canberra) on or around the Easter long weekend to participate in a political feast. The "Democratic

  • Tas Greens: 'A new era in Tasmanian politics'

    In the face of a propaganda offensive by the major parties, the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the establishment media for the election of a "stable" government, the Tasmanian Greens lost of one of their five seats

  • Queensland cab drivers strike

    BRISBANE — After months of negotiations with the Bundaberg Cab Company, cab drivers struck on March 14 in protest at victimisation and discrimination faced by union members. Transport Workers Union drivers later returned to work,

  • Child protection workers defy Kennett

    MELBOURNE — On March 22, child protection workers and their supporters in the state public service struck for 24 hours and held one of the most spirited rallies since the big anti-Kennett demonstrations in 1992. The action was

  • Talks in ACT government dispute

    CANBERRA — In the last two weeks, unions involved in the ACT public sector pay claim dispute have begun to negotiate separate agreements with the Carnell minority Liberal government. The picket on the Legislative Assembly has been

  • Perth bus drivers oppose privatisation

    PERTH — On March 21, Metrobus drivers here refused to collect fares in protest against the Court government's unfair treatment of the public carrier in the competitive tendering process for the metropolitan bus service.

  • ACF accuses Borbidge of scare tactics

    BRISBANE — The Australian Conservation Foundation has accused Queensland Premier Rob Borbidge of using "scare tactics" to frighten people into believing the controversial Tully Millstream hydro-electric power scheme should go

  • Jabiluka - the coming struggle

    Mining of the Jabiluka uranium deposit appears set to gain federal government approval following meetings last week between Energy Resources Australia (ERA) boss Phillip Shirvington and the new federal Minister for Resources and

  • CPSU delegates reject cuts

    SYDNEY — Eighty delegates of the NSW Department of Social Security sector of the Community and Public Service Union (CPSU) attended the sector's annual meeting here on March 7-8. Union organisers warned the meeting of impending

  • NSW teachers continue pay struggle

    SYDNEY — The March 20 half-day strike by members of the NSW Teachers Federation was well received by large sections of the community. About 300 associations across the state lobbied politicians in support of the teachers'

  • Public transport workers strike in SA

    ADELAIDE — The Public Transport Union (PTU) held a 24-hour combined bus, tram and train strike here on March 20. The action followed minister for transport Diana Laidlaw's refusal to discuss the impact of competitive