News

Women protest against tax on tamponsCANBERRA — One hundred protesters attended a rally here as part of a national day of action against the GST on sanitary products. Participants at the rally, which was held in Garema Place,

National Textiles workers address students Sacked workers from the National Textiles factory at Rutherford spoke to students and staff at the University of Western Sydney's Werrington campus on February 17. The workers said that Stan Howard's top

Perth IWD invites men to marchPERTH — The International Women's Day Collective here decided on February 22 to allow men to march at this year's IWD rally, although at the back of the march. The compromise means that, for the

Justice for the East Timorese people! Justice for all refugees! Justice for the East Timorese people! Justice for all refugees! National day of action — May 13. In all capital cities, plus Newcastle, Wollongong and Lismore (add your city —

One hundred and fifty East Timorese refugees refused to leave the East Hills army barracks in Sydney on February 22. The government was determined to remove the refugees from the camp for a "voluntary" flight home on February 22.

Centrelink delegate victimisedMELBOURNE — Marcus Banks, a union delegate at the Moreland Centrelink office in suburban Melbourne, faces an investigation and possibly charges under the public service code of

Mandatory sentencing 'unjust and discriminatory'DARWIN — Six hundred people gathered in the centre of Darwin on February 22 to demand the repeal of the mandatory sentencing law and to mourn the death in custody of a

ADELAIDE — Members of the Rail, Tram and Bus Union have agreed to accept a package offered by the state government. The agreement will partially settle a dispute which began on January 28, when the government announced that the

Socialists launch council campaignBRISBANE — The Democratic Socialists on February 26 launched their policy statement for the March 25 Brisbane City Council (BCC) election. The Democratic Socialists are standing Graham Matthews

Shell fined for safety breachesGEELONG — The Shell oil company has been fined a total of $225,000 for six breaches of Victoria's health and safety laws in 1998 at its plant near here. The inadequacy of the fines is clearer

MELBOURNE — In a bold move, the rank and file Workers First group in the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union has announced it will run a candidate against incumbent national secretary Doug Cameron. Long-time militant and

Refugee rights protest PERTH — Twenty people picketed the immigration department's office here on February 19 to protest against the government's treatment of refugees and asylum seekers. The action, organised by Resistance, demanded that