As people gathered to defend the Opera House on October 9, the mood was chilled — just like Prime Minister Scott Morrison advised. However the clear message from the 1000 plus people who came out on that balmy evening was purposeful: the NSW state government had stepped over the line.
Sydney Opera House
Prime Minister Scott Morrison called it “Sydney’s biggest billboard”. Most of us call it the Sydney Opera House. The difference is revealing of two sharply contrasting mindsets.
Five activists who scaled the Sydney Opera House roof to unfurl banners reading "Australia: World Leaders in Cruelty #BringThemHere" and "Evacuate Manus" on November 9 pleaded guilty to trespass in the Downing Centre Local Court on December 20.
They were fined a total of $20,000.
WACA spokesperson Lily Matchett said: “We face court in Sydney today for protesting the inhumane treatment of refugees while the injustice on Manus Island continues to unfold.
Electricians working on the Sydney Opera House renovation scored a win on October 9 after they stopped work over asbestos on site. SafeWork NSW issued a Prohibition Notice to builder Laing O'Rourke banning work on ceilings where friable asbestos was identified.
It ordered the main contractor Downer to conduct an independent inspection of the site.
This meets the demands raised by Electrical Trades Union (ETU) members who walked off the job on October 6.
ETU organiser Stewart Edward said the victory came because of strong collective action by union members.