News

East Timor activists fined

East Timor activists fined BY JAMES VASSILOPOULOS CANBERRA — East Timor solidarity activist Gareth Smith was fined $16,335 on April 12 for painting the slogan, "Shame, Australia, shame", on the front wall of federal Parliament House to protest

Victory for the Independent Education Union

BY JOHN GAUCI A comprehensive agreement between the Catholic Commission for Employment Relations (CCER) and the Independent Education Union (IEU) was reached on April 14. The agreement applies to all Catholic dioceses and relevant Catholic

Rail workers walk out over safety

Rail workers walk out over safety BY BILL MASON BRISBANE — The Queensland Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) struck for 12 hours on April 13 against the introduction of driver-only trains in north Queensland. The "wildcat" strike was called at

Australia sinking climate change efforts

Australia sinking climate change efforts BY JIM GREEN Australia's aggressive promotion of carbon sinks may undermine global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas levels. Greenpeace International's climate policy director, Bill Hare, warned on April 13

Mangrove-destroying road dumped

Mangrove-destroying road dumped BY BILL MASON BRISBANE — The Queensland government has decided to drop the controversial Mackay East-West Connector Road project after a six-year campaign by conservationists, anglers and businesspeople. In an

Kakadu crunch time

Kakadu crunch time BY JIM GREEN The future of the Jabiluka uranium mine in the Northern Territory may become clearer following meetings in coming weeks between Energy Resources of Australia (ERA) and its parent company, North Limited. The main

New abortion clinic for regional NSW

New abortion clinic for regional NSW By Leslie Williams CANBERRA — A new, privately owned gynaecological clinic in the NSW regional city of Queanbeyan, bordering the Australian Capital Territory, is to provide services to women, beginning with

'Mandatory sentencing is a crime'

'Mandatory sentencing is a crime' BY ANGELA LUVERA BRISBANE — Forty people picketed the Northern Territory Tourist Bureau here on April 3. Aboriginal rights activist Sam Watson spoke of the need for more people to join the campaign to overturn

Stolen children protest

Stolen children protest CANBERRA — Three hundred members of the stolen generations, and their supporters, rallied here on April 6 to condemn statements by PM John Howard and Aboriginal affairs minister John Herron. The rally marched from the

Timorese support call for scholarships

Timorese support call for scholarships BY MICHAEL DOYLE AND KIM BULLIMORE NEWCASTLE — Young East Timorese are enthusiastic about calls for the Australian government to extend scholarships so they can study in this country, an activist recently

Protesters confront Howard

Protesters confront Howard BY DANI BARLEY SYDNEY — More than 300 people gathered in Faulconbridge, in the Blue Mountains, on April 7 to protest against Prime Minister John Howard's racist government. The protesters were high school students

ILO condemns Australia on labour laws

ILO condemns Australia on labour laws The federal government has again come under international scrutiny and criticism, this time for its record on labour rights. The International Labor Organisation (ILO) has condemned the Workplace Relations Act