Joe Collins from the Australia West Papua Association said on April 19 that Australia should have no ties with the Indonesian military (TNI) until it is proven to have reformed. TNI commander Marshal Djoko Suyanto was visiting Canberra at the time to strengthen Australia-Indonesia military relations.
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Tens of thousands of people joined a march on April 22 against the Howard government’s anti-worker laws, followed by an afternoon “Rockin for your rights” concert. In Melbourne, more than 1500 people gathered at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl.
Refugee-rights groups have accused immigration department and GSL management at the Villawood detention centre of collective punishment of detainees in the aftermath of two detainees escaping on the evening of April 19.
Around 40 people attended a screening of Who Killed the Electric Car on April 18, hosted by the non-profit, community run Western Region Environment Centre in Werribee. The film was followed by a very lively debate about issues such as industrys drive for corporate profits, the lack of leadership from federal and state governments to provide solutions to climate change and the need for community action.
Paul Wolfowitz, president of the World Bank and formerly US President George Bushs deputy secretary of defence, doesnt seem to comprehend why he is in trouble. He has admitted to ordering a US$60,000 pay increase for his lover, a World Bank employee, before seconding her to the US State Department as part of a generous compensation package.
A community protest organised by Union Solidarity shut down the construction site at Woodsides Otways gas plant near Port Campbell on April 17.
The 2007 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras award for Most outstanding political comment was awarded to the Bring David Hicks home float.
Green Left Weekly will be taking a one-week break. Out next issue will be dated May 9.
The eight-day trial against seven people facing charges relating to a February 2006 protest against Kerry Packers taxpayer-funded state memorial has concluded with the dismissal of one or more charges against each defendant. Four defendants decided to plead guilty to one minor charge each.
The federal government must take a strong and principled approach to opposing the death penalty whenever and wherever it is applied, former ALP national president Barry Jones told a public forum attended by more than 100 people on April 19. The forum was organised by Australians Against Capital Punishment.
Failed state
"I have told the American people often it is best to defeat them there so we don't have to face them here ... That's one of the major lessons of September the 11th. In that case, there was a safe haven found in a failed state, where
new front in the battle against the Howard governments anti-union laws has opened with a push by federal workplace relations minister Joe Hockey for local councils to sign their employees up to the new Work Choices legislation.
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