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INDIA: WSF may spark a 'political awakening'

Jon Lamb, Mumbai The January 16-21 World Social Forum followed many months of planning and coordination by the Indian Organising Committee. Green Left Weekly spoke to IOC member Srilata Swaminathan, a central committee member of the Communist Party

Our Common Cause: Socialist and broad-left unity

John van der Velden Building socialist and broad-left unity is the most urgent task for progressive people and groups in this era of war and unbridled corporate greed. Environmental destruction, exploitation and social dislocation pervade vast

Is there any real opposition to Beattie's Queensland?

Dave Riley, Brisbane With the Labor government sitting on a massive majority of 43 seats, the result of the Queensland state election is an easy call. The big end of town may be keen to reduce the arrogance that such a lead fosters, but the ALP

Censorship and the 'silenced majority'

Censored 2004: the Top 25 Censored StoriesBy Peter Phillips and Project CensoredSeven Stories Press, 2003367 pages, $36 (pb) REVIEW BY PHIL SHANNON On February 5, 2003, the day US Secretary of State Colin Powell made his case for war against Iraq

Public servants target government revenue

John Nebauer, Adelaide Industrial action by state government employees has pressured the SA Labor government to negotiate around a new industrial agreement. Four months ago, the Public Service Association of SA lodged a claim for a 12% pay rise

WA teachers to vote on new agreement

Chris Latham, Perth On January 16, the Western Australian branch of the Australian Education Union indicated that it will recommend acceptance of a new offer negotiated between the AEU and the state education department for a certified agreement

UNITED STATES: Freedom under fire, say civil lbertarians

Maria Voukelatos The USAPATRIOT Act and other post-9/11 "anti-terrorist" laws have given local, state and federal authorities in the United States the power to detain people without charge or legal representation, and monitor people's

Sweet sixteen and struggling to survive

REVIEW BY NICOLE COLSON Sweet Sixteendirected by Ken LoachWritten by Paul LavertyWith Martin Compston, Michelle Coulter, Annmarie Fulton and William RuaneAvailable on region 2 DVD from Amazon.com. British socialist filmmaker Ken Loach is known

Who's to blame for the hospital crisis?

Kerryn Williams A national survey conducted by Roy Morgan Research last August found that 25% of Australians do not believe their local hospital would provide them with adequate treatment if they had an accident. If a quarter of the population

INDONESIA: PRD launches resolution for 2004 election

James Balowski, Jakarta In the presence of some 200 members and supporters, on January 16 the People's Democratic Party (PRD) "launched" its new central leadership board and 2004 general elections resolution. The resolution is titled "Not an

Defending public values

Sue Bull & Mary Merkenich As nearly 70% of Australian students pack their school bags and return to school, they may feel bemused by not having Prime Minister John Howard's support, nor that of most of his cabinet. In an interview with the

Socialist Alliance: 'Do something with your majority'

Bill Mason, Brisbane Socialist Alliance candidates running in the February 7 Queensland elections have challenged Premier Peter Beattie and the ALP to "use their likely continued big majority in the state parliament after polling day to bring