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Labor privatises Trust Bank

Labor privatises Trust Bank By Alex Bainbridge HOBART — Tasmania's Labor government has decided to privatise the state's Trust Bank. The bank's sale to Colonial Ltd for $149 million is being presented by the government and the Mercury newspaper

Students commemorate victims of military violence

By Chris Latham JAKARTA — Despite torrential rain, thousands of students participated in protests here to commemorate the first anniversary on November 13 of the Semangi tragedy, named after the Semangi bridge where six students were shot dead by

Changing rules of inheritance

In the Blood: God, Genes and DestinySteve JonesHarper Collins, 1996300 pp., $24.95 (pb) Review by Dot Tumney Steve Jones' In the Blood is a useful overview of inheritance in all its forms and of the interaction of biological, religious, economic

NTEU wins coverage of general staff

NTEU wins coverage of general staff By Daniel Jardine A decision handed down on November 15 by the Australian Industrial Relations Commission will give the National Tertiary Education Industry Union the right to cover general, non-academic, staff

West Papuans plan independence protest

West Papuans plan independence protest Thousands of pro-independence West Papuans held a "birthday celebration" for leader Theys Eluay in the Sentani subdistrict of the capital, Jayapura, on November 12. Local residents say that between 3000 and

East Timorese criticise UN role

East Timorese criticise UN role By Jon Land United Nations officials have come under heavy criticism from leaders of the National Council of Timorese Resistance (CNRT). In a move to reduce tension between CNRT and the United Nations

Networker: Can the internet keep a secret?

Can the internet keep a secret? The internet is, by design, extremely insecure. Anyone sending an e-mail over the internet should assume that it is read or at least stored in several locations. It's as though every letter you send is photocopied

Loose cannons

Trust him "Coincidence." Alan Jones' explanation of why he gave an on-air rave in support of the controversial Sydney Walsh Bay development the day after signing a $200,000 contract with the developer. Otherworldly "I am not driven by these

... and ain't i a woman?: Why feminists aren't going away

Why feminists aren't going away "Show us your tits", "Nice legs/arse", "Do you want a fuck?" and the good old wolf whistles and unwanted stares are everyday occurrences for the majority of women. Unfortunately, sexual assault (one out of four

News briefs

MIM criticised over accident BRISBANE — A young football hero who lost both legs in an underground mining accident was exposed to unacceptable risk by mining giant MIM, the Queensland Mining Warden's Court determined on November 15. On January

Government betrays East Timor refugees

Government betrays East Timor refugees By Margaret Allum The federal minister for immigration, Philip Ruddock, announced on November 19 that the government has dropped its appeal against the Federal Court's September 1998 decision in the test

Zimbabwe workers force health spending up

Zimbabwe workers force health spending up By Norm Dixon The Zimbabwean government bowed to public pressure on November 17 and agreed to raise per capita health spending by more than 100%. State medical staff pay will be boosted by 50%. Health