News

WA TAFE teachers protest privatisationPERTH — Coffins, symbolising the death of TAFE, were carried onto the steps of Parliament House during a rally on May 18 organised by the State School Teachers Union

Albert Park arrests go to courtMELBOURNE — Over the past six months there have been 246 arrests at protest actions at Albert Park. One hundred and one people have been charged. Their hearings will take place on May

Peace activists around the country have condemned the federal government's decision, announced on May 18, to collaborate with the US in the development of new ground-based anti-ballistic missile technology. Australian

Melbourne PTU fights for wage increaseMELBOURNE — "The way the union is fighting by going to the Industrial Relations Commission is not the way to fight." This statement by a tram driver at the Brunswick tram depot after a

Kurnell workers end strikeSYDNEY — Striking Kurnell workers returned to work on May 19, having gained little in concrete conditions. Their seven-day strike forced Caltex management to negotiate, but the focus has now moved

Supportive "Those people, including senior Federal Labor ministers, have all been very supportive, many expressing their disgust at the attacks on me and urging me not to resign as Deputy President [of the Senate]." — Wife-basher Senator Noel

MIM attacks union, locks out minersBRISBANE — The deepening confrontation between Mt Isa mineworkers and mining giant MIM Holdings Ltd moved toward a crisis as the company locked out its entire work force on the morning

Amnesty report on gay imprisonmentAt least 15 countries around the world are still imprisoning people for being gay, according to the human rights group Amnesty International. Australia, Russia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Iran

"Suharto is a Butcher; free East Timor Now", "Free Xanana Gusmao, Indonesia Out Now" and "No Blood For Oil" were some of the chants that echoed through city streets across Australia on Saturday, May 13. Around 1500 people

Kennett slashes public housingMELBOURNE — Fifty people rallied in Port Melbourne on May 1 to defend the Public Tenants Union (PTU), which is being closed down by the Kennett government. The closure is

Solidarity messages The following letters were sent to the MIM workers last week. To Stephen Hardwick, MIM workers picket line The Shearers and Rural Workers Union (SRWU) wishes to express full support and solidarity with workers

WOLLONGONG — Miscellaneous Workers Union (MWU) members led a strike at the university on May 8-10 over the hiring of non-union labour. The picket lines, which formed after a rally of 250 people, were maintained for 24 hours and