News

  • Privatisation: railway cleaner anger overflows

    SYDNEY — On July 13 CityRail cleaning staff at Sydney Terminal and several other depots were called together an hour before "knockoff" to hear management's announcement that their jobs had been privately contracted. Many stood

  • ALP manipulates ethnic communities

    WOLLONGONG — In recent weeks, the media has devoted a fair amount of time to "multiple recruitment" or stacking in Labour Party branches, particularly in the Illawarra. The sudden growth of membership

  • Campaign against Timor oil spoils

    BRISBANE — The oil company, Petroz N.L. in conjunction with BHP Petroleum, are about to start drilling for oil in the Timor Gap. While Petroz, which is based here, is not new to exploration in the Timor Sea, this latest venture

  • Strike over redundancy packages

    Strike over redundancy packagesADELAIDE — Workers in the Engineering & Water Supply department have struck over the state government's refusal to extend conditions provided to other government workers in separation

  • Melbourne's public transport 'at the crossroads'

    Melbourne's public transport 'at the crossroads'MELBOURNE — Two hundred people packed the Assembly Hall on July 28 to hear Mike Colle from the Toronto Transit Commission urge people to defend Melbourne's public transport

  • WA forest blockade a success

    PERTH — Environmentalists trying to protect old growth Karri\Marri forest south west of here have been taking action against the clear-felling since July 1. This phase of the blockade will conclude on July 30 to

  • Qld govt bows to developers

    BRIBIE ISLAND — Queensland environmentalists have been alerted to a possible attempt by the Goss Labour government to fast-track legislation to replace the current Queensland Local Government (Planning and Environment) Act.

  • SA plan to isolate 'disruptive' students

    SA plan to isolate 'disruptive' studentsADELAIDE — The Liberal state government has introduced a new disciplinary code for state schools for next year. The new code includes measures ostensibly aimed at creating a more

  • Report fails to legalise cannabis use

    BRISBANE — Cannabis users are disappointed that Queensland's Criminal Justice Commission recommended only minor changes to laws relating to cannabis use. The CJC's report released on July 13, called for a crub on police

  • Loose Cannons

    Getting lost "Australia is, technically speaking, in Oceania." — Alexander Downer denying geography after Liberal polling has revealed concerns about Australia becoming "Asianised" and losing its European culture. Gone off "There is

  • Action update

    ADELAIDE — One thousand Electricity Trust of South Australia workers began three days of rolling stoppages on July 20. The stoppages were directed against ETSA management who are moving to employ contract labour. Martin Gibson, from the Electrical

  • Toxic vapors threat

    Toxic vapors threatBRISBANE — Despite a legally binding notice of improvement being served on the Royal Brisbane Hospital (RBH) by the division of workplace health and safety, the spills of liquid mercury coming from