News

Centrelink workers to continue strikes

Centrelink workers to continue strikes By Melanie Sjoberg On December 3, Community and Public Sector Union members employed at Centrelink endorsed state-by-state rolling half-day stoppages from December 8 to 17. This is the next step in the CPSU

Action updates

ACT government workers to strike CANBERRA — ACT government workers will strike for 24 hours on December 17 if the ACT Liberal government fails to retract the threat of forced redundancies. Meanwhile, workers in the ACT Chief Minister's

Ramos Horta: 'A common struggle'

Ramos Horta: 'A common struggle' By Liam Mitchell SYDNEY — The links between the struggle for freedom in East Timor and democracy in Indonesia were the focus of public meetings in Sydney and Melbourne on November 28 and December 3. Both

NTEU wins increase in permanent employment

NTEU wins increase in permanent employment By Tyrion Perkins SYDNEY — Hundreds of fixed-term contracts are to be converted to permanent following an agreement the National Tertiary Education Industry Union has negotiated with the University of

MUA ranks launch campaign to revive union

MUA ranks launch campaign to revive union By Dick Nichols PERTH — On November 25, Western Australian wharfies and seafarers determined to revive their union, the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA), met in Fibber McGees Irish pub in Leederville.

SA health system in crisis

By Bronwen Beechey ADELAIDE — On November 20, 500 people rallied in Victoria Square to protest the SA government's budget cuts to mental health services. Mental health workers and clients, along with members of the Australian Nurses Federation

News briefs

Native title win in Kimberley PERTH — In the first successful native title claim on the mainland, the Federal Court has recognised the Miriuwung-Gajerrong people's right to their land in the east Kimberley. The traditional owners won the right

ACT women dealt a blow on abortion access

By Pat Brewer CANBERRA — After a 17-hour sitting, the ACT Legislative Assembly imposed new restrictions on women's access to abortion on November 25. In a compromise, amendments moved by independent MP and health minister Michael Moore eliminated

'Newcastle needs a working-class alternative'

'Newcastle needs a working-class alternative' 'Newcastle needs a working-class alternative' By Stephen O'Brien NEWCASTLE — Following the November 21 federal Newcastle by-election, the Democratic Socialists have announced that they will

Democratic Socialists to contest NSW elections

Democratic Socialists to contest NSW elections Democratic Socialists to contest NSW elections By Tom Flanagan The Democratic Socialists have announced four candidates for the NSW elections scheduled for March 27. Standing in Port Jackson is

ACT government workers ready to fight

ACT government workers ready to fight By Stuart Martin CANBERRA — In a strong show of opposition to the ACT government's attacks on public servants, and in defiance of intimidation by management, Community and Public Sector Union members

WA's Surveillance Devices Bill

By Elena Jeffreysand John Curran PERTH — Western Australia's attorney general, Peter Foss, has commended the Surveillance Devices Bill 1997 to the upper house. The government of Premier Richard Court would like it passed there before Christmas.