News

  • Telecom workers fight job cuts

    Telecom workers are preparing for a prolonged struggle over the organisation's plans to cut its workforce by about 15%. Telecom (AOTC) management has already announced a cut of 4400 jobs over the next year, about 6% of the

  • Indonesian campaigner to attend

    Indonesian campaigner to attendProminent Indonesian political activist Helmi Fauzi will attend the Resistance national conference in Melbourne. Fauzi is in Australia as a guest of Resistance, the Environmental Youth

  • Studded belts now 'weapons'

    Studded belts now 'weapons'MELBOURNE — A decision to charge a receptionist with possession of a regulated weapon by Magistrate Peter Couzens has outraged and amazed the gay and lesbian community, among others. The "weapon"

  • A 'recovery' without jobs?

    According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, unemployment in May reached a postwar record of 10.6%. Yet Australia is "technically" well out of recession because, by the end of March, the economy had grown for three quarters

  • Jet-cats not accessible

    Jet-cats not accessible SYDNEY — A demonstration at Circular Quay on June 14 called attention to the fact that the new multimillion-dollar jet-cats and river-cats are inaccessible to people with any type of mobility impairment. The

  • Loose cannons

    Unflagged "Nobody can determine for the country what is immoral or scandalous, therefore this law is unconstitutional." — US lawyer David Cole after the Old Glory Condom Corporation, set up by artist and AIDS activist Jay Critchley, was

  • Williamstown residents say no to Mobil

    MELBOURNE — On June 13, 350 residents and workers rallied outside Premier Joan Kirner's office in Williamstown to oppose a proposed expansion of the Mobil oil refinery. The working-class western suburbs have long been a

  • Newcastle residents say, save the rail

    NEWCASTLE — A capacity crowd of around 600 people packed Newcastle Town Hall on May 26 for a public meeting to "Save the Rail". The meeting was called by Newcastle community groups to protest against the decision of the

  • Royal commission a failure, meeting told

    Royal commission a failure, meeting toldSYDNEY — The Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody was a failure, according to several speakers at a public meeting held at Leichhardt town hall on June 12. The meeting

  • Court 'okays gay murder'

    Court 'okays gay murder'MELBOURNE — Gay rights activists are protesting that a May 28 Supreme Court jury verdict sends a clear message to the community that it is allowable for a man to kill another man who makes sexual

  • Nurses fight Kirner

    Nurses fight KirnerMELBOURNE — Nurses here are fighting moves by the state government to cut staffing in the geriatric care area by 50%, reduce standards of care for the elderly and cut working conditions. The Kirner

  • WA Labor gives brewery site to Multiplex

    The WA Labor government has made a renewed attempt at developing the old brewery site on the Swan River near Kings Park in Perth. On June 2, it announced that a deal would soon be finalised with Multiplex Constructions to