News

  • Brisbane River 'a sewer pipe'

    Brisbane River 'a sewer pipe'BRISBANE — The Brisbane River, and the Bremer River flowing into it from Ipswich, have become "sewer pipes", funnelling pollution, effluent and sediment into Moreton Bay, a report has revealed. The

  • Australia asked to 'please explain'

    Australia asked to 'please explain'Australia will be the first western country asked to "please explain" its policies on race to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD). Australia, a

  • Emergency call centre cuts

    Emergency call centre cutsBRISBANE — Telstra has been widely criticised over moves to close its 000 emergency call centre at Ipswich and divert all crisis calls to Sydney and Melbourne. The closure, planned for April, will cost

  • Public servants strike for job security

    Public servants strike for job securityCANBERRA — On December 17, 2000 members of the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) employed in the ACT public service went on strike for 24 hours in protest against the Liberal

  • Kemp attacks student opposition

    On December 19, federal education minister Dr David Kemp announced that the government would introduce "voluntary student unionism" (VSU) legislation in this sitting of parliament. Kemp also said that the government intended to

  • Labor dominates NUS conference

    From December 7 to 11, the national conference of the National Union of Students met at the University of Ballarat. Labor students were in a particularly strong position. They won more than 47% of all delegates

  • Activists create 'JAILS'

    Activists create 'JAILS'In 1998, about 500 people were arrested at the Jabiluka uranium mine blockade in the Northern Territory. Many are to face court in coming months. JAILS (Jabiluka Arrestees Information and Legal Support) has

  • Casino workers continue campaign

    Casino workers continue campaignADELAIDE — Workers at the Adelaide Casino are continuing their campaign for a collective workplace agreement, despite harassment and intimidation from management. The workers, members of the

  • Hotel approved despite protests

    Hotel approved despite protestsWOLLONGONG — The controversial $25 million Cliff Road hotel is one step closer to reality after Wollongong Council voted to approve the development application on November 30. The application

  • IWD Collective meetings begin

    IWD Collective meetings beginBRISBANE — The International Women's Day Collective has resumed meetings to organise this year's IWD activities on March 6. With continuing cuts to child-care and women's health services, recent

  • Mass picket supports locked-out workers

    Mass picket supports locked-out workersMELBOURNE — More than 600 people heeded a call to attend the picket line at the Australian Dyeing Company (ADC) on January 13. The ranks of the picket again swelled by more than 50 people

  • Gas commission highlights safety problems

    Gas commission highlights safety problemsMELBOURNE — Witnesses at the royal commission to investigate the Longford gas disaster, in which two workers were killed and eight injured, have reported maintenance delays, poor