National accounts figures, released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on March 4, showed that the Australian economy contracted by 0.5% in the three months to December, despite the federal government鈥檚 $10.6 billion stimulus package, which was paid out to pensioners and families before Christmas.
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A March 2 open letter to minister for climate change Penny Wong has described the federal government聮s climate policy as 聯completely out of step with both current climate science and targets in other developed countries聰. The open letter was endorsed by 65 climate action groups (CAGs).
Two hundred workers and supporters protested outside the Pacific Brands factory in Wentworthville, Western Sydney on March 6 in response to the clothing company鈥檚 plans to slash 1850 jobs around the country.
When the federal industry minister Kim Carr announced the ALP government would give the car industry $6.2 billion in taxpayers鈥 money in November, he declared that it amounted to a 鈥渘ew beginning鈥.
On February 20, more than 200 workers were fired without pay from the Lavington-based Drivetrain automotive parts factory in Albury, New South Wales, as the company entered receivership.
Deputy PM Julia Gillard聮s outspoken support for Israel聮s attack on Gaza earlier this year prompted angry criticism from many, including from inside her own party.
The current economic crisis comes after 14 years of boom conditions, which delivered a profits bonanza to the bosses. Workers鈥 share of the national income has declined from 60% in 1978 to 51% today. At the same time, the cost of living has risen significantly.
Maintenance workers at the Foster聮s Abbotsford plant voted on March 3 to accept redundancy packages from the company.
Actions by construction giant John Holland have led to 40 workers being sacked from the Melbourne Westgate Reconstruction project because they did not accept an agreement that would mean they earned less than the standard industry rate.
On February 27, the federal government received a report on the review of the pensions system conducted by Jeff Harmer, the head of the families and community services department.
Five hundred women marched in Sydney on March 7 to celebrate International Women's Day. Speakers demanded six months' paid maternity leave for all women; free, safe abortion on demand and free, quality child care. Other speakers urged women to fight
Across university campuses, students are organising in support of Palestine. A big focus will be Palestine Solidarity Week, an international week of action beginning on March 30.
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