News

Australia belatedly aids West Papua

By Linda Kaucher The news that the Australian Defence Force (ADF) will use $10 million from AusAID for a famine relief program in West Papua (Irian Jaya) is welcome. Such an effort has been needed for many months. Ninety defence personnel, three

Abortion reform falls short of repeal

By Sarah Stephen PERTH — State MP Cheryl Davenport's private member's bill to remove abortion from the WA Criminal Code, which passed through the upper house last month, was finally passed by the lower house on May 7. It remains the Davenport

North coast solidarity with the MUA

North coast solidarity with the MUA By Nick Fredman LISMORE — More than 80 people attended a public meeting in solidarity with the Maritime Union of Australia here on May 7. Organised by the Lismore Wharfies Support Group, the meeting was

Biggest Labour Day in 25 years

Biggest Labour Day in 25 years By Chris Dawson As the last of the more than 10,000 Labour Day marchers poured into Albert Park at 11.40am on May 4, Maritime Union national organiser Jim Tannock announced the MUA's High Court victory from the

Struggle continues as wharfies return to work

By James Vassilopoulos After a month of mass pickets, wharfies are back at work at the major Patrick operations, following the Maritime Union of Australia's win in the High Court. Mick O'Leary, national organiser of the MUA, told Green Left Weekly

Conservation Council's funding cut

Conservation Council's funding cut By Bill Mason BRISBANE — Queensland Conservation Council chairperson Carol Booth has accused the Coalition state government of campaigning against outspoken conservationists, following natural resources

Meeting opposes 'Ocean wart'

By Tony Iltis HOBART — Hobart Town Hall was filled to capacity for a meeting organised by the Denison branch of the Tasmanian Greens to oppose the proposed Oceanport retail and residential development at Princes Wharf. The proposed six-story

Labor-Democrats debate a non-event

Labor-Democrats debate a non-event By Ruth Ratcliffe BRISBANE — On May 5, the University of Queensland ALP and Australian Democrats clubs presented a debate about "Labour, Unionism and Change: Perspectives on Industrial Relations Reform —

NSW: 26 deaths in custody in 10 months

On May 3, a 21-year-old man became the 26th person to die while in a NSW prison since July 1, 1997. The apparent suicide by hanging at the Metropolitan Remand and Reception Centre was the fourth prison death in NSW in the last three weeks. "Members

Battle to save Kimberley Fitzroy River

Battle to save Kimberley Fitzroy River On April 30, the WA government tabled a memorandum of understanding between the government and Western Agricultural Industries (WAI) regarding a large-scale irrigation scheme in the west Kimberley region.

Liberals waver on One Nation preferences

By Bill Mason BRISBANE — Under intense criticism, including from within its own ranks, the Queensland Liberal Party has hesitated over its plan to allocate preferences to Pauline Hanson's racist One Nation party ahead of the ALP. On May 8, the

Maritime union campaign briefs

MUA alleges sabotage BRISBANE — Waterside workers who triumphantly returned to work at Patrick's wharves at Hamilton and Fisherman Island on May 8 have alleged that the non-union work force damaged facilities, including the boom of a