News

  • Action updates

    Brownbuilt workers locked out MELBOURNE — Australian Manufacturing Workers Union members employed by Brownbuilt, which makes filing cabinets and other furniture, are picketing the company's plant in Oakleigh South after being locked out on

  • Insurance rebates goes to wealthy

    The Australia Institute released a report on September 25 that shows nearly half of the federal government's $2.3 billion private health insurance rebate went to the top third of income earners, while the bottom third received just

  • Workers' action needed to solve fuel crisis

    Through militant action, with massive public support, truck drivers, farmers and fisherpeople have forced the French government to back down and reduce the price of fuel. This militant example has inspired protests throughout

  • Bracks backs outsourcing government

    MELBOURNE — As tens of thousands of people linked arms, sang songs, danced jigs and blockaded the World Economic Forum from September 11 to 13, Victorian Labor Premier Steve Bracks was also extremely busy. In between loudly

  • Western Sydney rallies for refugees

    SYDNEY — Two hundred people chanting "Refugees yes, racism no; Detention centres have got to go!" marched through the streets of Parramatta, in Sydney's western suburbs, on September 23. The rally was organised by the Refugee

  • Some movement-building lessons from S11

    Now that the initial surge of euphoria and adrenaline is slowly dissipating into afterglow, it's time to dissect the S11 protests against the World Economic Forum's Melbourne summit. What made them a success? Here's an attempt at some answers.

  • Left students poll well at Curtin

    PERTH — Left-wing activists have performed well in elections to the Curtin University student guild here, but have been unable to oust conservative and apolitical incumbents, who retained 12 out of 16 positions on guild

  • Bakery workers reject pay cuts

    ADELAIDE — Workers at Balfours Bakery have rejected an invitation to have their wages cut by management, in a vote on September 19. Management had asked staff to accept a pay cut of 76 cents an hour and other measures, including

  • People with disabilities stop trams

    MELBOURNE — On September 13, a peaceful demonstration by people with disabilities stopped the city's trams for two hours. Eighty people who use wheelchairs and their allies, supporters and advocates were there. The blockade was organised by the

  • Olympics' tinsel and glitter won't end racism

    SYDNEY — The day after the Olympic opening ceremony, the Australian establishment media outdid themselves with superlatives, hyperbole and pure dross. Australians both black and white can now stand proud, they said, hand

  • Godfrey Hirst workers win pay increase

    GEELONG — Production workers at the Godfrey Hirst carpet factory here have voted to accept a company offer of a 5% pay rise over 11 months, after a successful industrial campaign involving work bans, 24- and 48-hour strikes and

  • Loose cannons

    Cheery "My role will be to lead the cheer squad for the Australian team." — Prime Menzies John Howard, asked his plans during the Olympics. Market failure "The level of the dollar does not reflect the fundamentals of the Australian economy."