One Nation shocks major partiesBRISBANE — The result of the Queensland election hangs in the balance as 91̳ Weekly goes to press, with a victory for the ALP dependent on preferences in a small number of tightly contested
-
-
Actively Radical TV — Sydney community television's progressive current affairs producers tackle the hard issues from the activist's point of view. CTS Sydney (UHF 31), every Thursday, 10pm and Saturday, 7pm. Ph 9565 5522. Access News —
-
The chickens have come home to roost While not normally inclined to defer to the other side of the political spectrum, I wish to make a major exception and announce the formation of the David Oldfield Appreciation Society. Comrade David, as
-
National women's conference begins June 29 From June 29 to July 3, hundreds of women will descend on the University of Western Sydney NepeanKingswood campus for an annual conference organised by and for university women. 91̳ Weekly spoke to
-
World Environment Day ROCKHAMPTON — The Central Queensland University's Environment Society organised a full day of events to mark World Environment Day on June 5. The day attracted more than 300 participants and featured speakers from various
-
Whatever the final seat count in the Queensland election, the June 13 poll was a massive victory for One Nation. The left in Queensland is asking how the apparently spent force that was One Nation was able to establish itself as
-
Freedom of information and privacy I write regarding a recent editorial in GLW (#317) titled "Big brother is watching" in which you touched on several developments of interest to civil libertarians. Work has been proceeding in all States and
-
MELBOURNE — Plans are under way for a Victoria-wide day of action by university, TAFE and high school students on August 18, to coincide with the Australian Education Union's industrial action. The day of action is part of an
-
ANU no-cuts campaign continuesCANBERRA — Professor Paul Thom, dean of the faculty of arts at the Australian National University, announced a new restructuring plan on June 9. Thom says the plan — which includes "voluntary"
-
Last week, the national coordinator of Action in Solidarity with Indonesia and East Timor (ASIET) and Asia Pacific Institute member, MAX LANE, returned from a week-long visit to Indonesia. 91̳ Weekly's JILL HICKSON spoke to him about his
-
INDONESIA — The following letter was written by East Timorese resistance leader XANANA GUSMAO and Indonesian People's Democratic Party leader BUDIMAN SUJATMIKO on June 3 in Cipinang Prison. The letter was smuggled out of the prison by a
-
More than 1000 East Timorese students held a protest and sit-in in the grounds of the Foreign Ministry in Jakarta on June 12. The students had travelled from across Java and Bali to demand independence for East Timor and the release of
-
The Great Barrier Reef is considered one of the most preserved reefs in the world. But for how long? Loopholes in legislation and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority's "multiple use" management approach mean its survival
-
Why the dollar has fallen By Allen Myers When the Australian dollar fell below US$0.60 on June 8, swimming metaphors were popular, and they suggested that Australia is about to go down the gurgler. The Australian headline was Dollar
-
Tax discrimination Tax "reform", in particular the GST, is looming as a key issue in the next federal election. Labor PM Paul Keating, Liberal leader John Hewson and now John Howard have all attempted to sell us the idea that a broad-based
-
The following article is abridged from a paper written by VANESSA BOSNJAK, MARGARET KIRKBY, LEAH MASON and JENNY RYDE for Women's Abortion Action Campaign (WAAC) analysing the new laws on abortion passed by the WA parliament last month.
-
On May 26, Australian Greens Senator Bob Brown put a motion to the senate that the senate call on Indonesian President Habibie to: a) release Xanana Gusmao immediately and ensure his unhindered freedom as an advocate for East Timor; and b) allow
-
The battle for the health vote By James Vassilopoulos As the next federal election looms, a Taverner poll published by the Sydney Sun-Herald on May 17 found that 70% said that health would be an important federal election issue for
-
One-track minds It appears the minister for communications, Senator Richard Alston, is hell-bent on proving that the ABC has a bias against the Coalition government. In his latest tirade against the ABC, Alston claimed that the broadcaster had
-
How the Coalition revived HansonWhat's behind the revival of the racist Pauline Hanson's One Nation party? Hanson and One Nation never went away; they just "dropped off the front pages" for a few months. One Nation got back in the
-
Worse than death row By Brandon Astor Jones “This is what counts — not this other kind of stuff about Linda Tripp, [Monica Lewinsky and Paula Jones ]. Who cares?” — Ann Landers I have been asked by my editor to, on
-
From space, big coral reefs like the Great Barrier Reef are the only visible evidence of life on earth besides human cities and structures. Hundreds of different coral species create reefs, in which a quarter of all marine plants
News
-
Strong support for WA nurses' strike By Sarah Stephen PERTH — On June 9, 1500 nurses voted unanimously to begin an indefinite strike until their 13% pay claim is granted. Nurses marched to a rally in Forrest Place following the
-
PERTH — The future of WA's south-west forests is looking grim as the state government formulates a regional forest agreement (RFA) to determine what areas will be logged for the next 20 years. Opposition to the destruction of
-
Forest protest at ALP conference BURNIE — The Wilderness Society protested outside the ALP's state conference here on June 6 stating the party "has failed all Tasmanians in terms of protecting forests". Spokesperson Amanda Sully said, "The ALP is
-
On June 3, Amcor announced that it will close its pulp mill in Burnie, throwing 230 employees out of work and destroying a major regional centre in Tasmania. The mill was making a profit, but Amcor didn't consider it high enough. 91̳ Weekly's
-
Meeting hears report from Indonesia ADELAIDE — Max Lane, national coordinator of Action in Solidarity with Indonesia and East Timor, presented an inspirational account of his recent fact-finding trip to Jakarta to more than 60 activists here on
-
CANBERRA — The Community and Public Sector Union's ACT government section held regional membership meetings on June 10 to prepare for a campaign to replace the current enterprise agreement. The agreement runs out at the end
-
Resistance conference feverMELBOURNE — Resistance conference fever is raging in Melbourne. Large, purple posters declaring "When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty" are brightening up the dull, grey suburbs of
-
On June 5, Ross Mining Co. began preparations for the construction of its goldmine at Poverty Point on the Timbarra Plateau, near Tenterfield in northern NSW. The mine site covers 400 hectares and is located within the headwaters of the Timbarra
-
Plans for Students and Sustainability Conference By Mat Hinesand Nikki den Exter HOBART — Between July 6 and 10, the University of Tasmania will host the annual student environment conference, Students and Sustainability. This year's theme is
-
Bus drivers take actionSYDNEY — Private bus drivers began a 24-hour strike in Sydney and Newcastle on June 10. Wollongong and Campbelltown drivers voted to stay out for 48 hours. The Transport Workers Union (TWU) drivers
-
Rally against power sell-offADELAIDE — More than 200 people attended a candlelight rally here on June 3 to oppose the privatisation of South Australia's electricity utility, ETSA. Kevin Burrows, from the New Zealand Public
-
CPSU leaders accept ATO dealThe tax section council of the Community and Public Sector Union has voted to recommend acceptance of Australian Taxation Office (ATO) management's latest agency agreement offer. Section secretary Shane
-
'Put Hanson Last!' By Chris Dawsonand Nick Everett BRISBANE — Around 800 people participated in a "Put One Nation last" rally here on June 7. The action was in response to the state Coalition's deals with the far-right for the June 13 state
-
SYDNEY — An emergency rally here on World Environment Day, June 5, to oppose uranium mining at Jabiluka was attended by around 400 people. A similar size rally was held a week before. Opposition to the Jabiluka mine has been
-
'Kakadu to Werribee, Australia toxic free!'MELBOURNE — On June 5, World Environment Day, 2000 environmentalists rallied outside state parliament to demand that the Victorian and federal governments end their attacks on the
-
On May 31, 60 people wearing rainbow sashes attended mass in St Patrick's Cathedral in Melbourne. A letter to the church explained that the participants identified as gays and lesbians and called on the church to enter into dialogue
-
NSW public servants launch industrial campaignSYDNEY — NSW public servants gathered in 108 clubs around the state on June 12 for stop-work meetings linked by Sky Channel to vote on recommendations for an industrial campaign for a
-
All their own work "One Nation is a creation of the Liberal government." — Former Liberal leader John Hewson. Negative signals "... many of the family and crony businesses have links with large foreign companies. The seizure of assets might
-
Jobs at risk despite Kennett backdownMELBOURNE — Workers from the Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DNRE) won a partial victory in a campaign against the Victorian government's proposal to cut $24 million from the
-
Jabiluka: time to actOn June 12, the Northern Territory Supreme Court refused to grant an injunction against the NT government's authorisation of the construction of the Jabiluka uranium mine. Yvonne Margarula, the senior Mirrar
Analysis
-
Editorial: Hands off Kosovo! Hands off Kosovo! The events in Kosovo are a reminder that the carnage created by capitalist restoration in Yugoslavia is still far from over. Indeed, it was recent plans drawn up by the Serbian occupation regime of
World
-
Abortion referendum for PortugalPORTO — Portugal is to hold a referendum on June 28 to decide whether the country's abortion legislation will be changed to give women abortion on demand, although only up to 10 weeks of
-
On June 3 in Lagos, agents of the Nigerian military government's State Security Service (SSS) arrested Segun Aderemi, a prominent democratic rights campaigner and lawyer. His arrest was part of a wave of arrests throughout the country designed to
-
NZ group demands freedom for political prisoners WELLINGTON — Thousands of "messages in a bottle" were delivered to the Indonesian embassy here on June 5. The bottles, containing thumb prints and signed postcards, were part of a protest staged by
-
Pakistan socialists condemn 'atomic fanaticism' [The following statement was issued at a media conference on June 5 in Lahore by the leaders of the Left Alliance of Pakistan, which includes the Labour Party of Pakistan, the Pakistan Socialist
-
US military drive against growing insurgency in ColombiaThe Pentagon, worried about recent left-wing guerilla victories, is stepping up the flow of arms and training to Colombia's military, under cover of the "war on
-
This is part two of Allan Nairn's account of the US intelligence forces' complicity in the repression of the Indonesian democracy movement. Part one was published in 91̳ Weekly issue number 320. As the Suharto dictatorship
-
French workers could be World Cup winnersA range of French workers, from pilots to train workers, have made use of the world's main soccer tournament, being held in France this month, to press for a "World Cup bonus" and
-
Indian communists condemn nuclear tests In a statement issued in New Delhi on May 16, Vinod Mishra, general secretary of the Communist Party of India (ML), said: We oppose the nuclear tests conducted by the Indian government because it
-
MANAGUA — The second national congress of the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) was held here on May 22-23. Of the 600 eligible delegates, 440 were present at the opening session. Representatives of left parties from
-
COPENHAGEN — The Danish population remains divided on European Union (EU), as it has been in all five referendums held on the question since Denmark joined the European Community in 1972. On May 28, 45% of voters ignored the
-
Austerity hits South Korean workersThe Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) has called off a second round of general strikes scheduled for June 10 and will take part in new negotiations with the government and bosses. It is
-
The following is abridged from a speech about the Northern Ireland Good Friday agreement by Bernadette Devlin McAliskey to a public meeting in San Francisco on April 25. We are being pushed into retreat. This is not an accord of equals, not an
-
The expression "spreading like wildfire" has taken on a new meaning for me over the past few months. After just one month in Kalimantan, Indonesia, I became only too aware of the perilous living conditions of the local people. The
-
May 1998 marked 50 years since the founding of the state of Israel and what the Palestinians call "Nakhba" — the Catastrophe. The Nazi holocaust pushed large numbers of Jews towards Zionism, in particular because wealthy
Culture
-
Supporting Indonesia's human rights movement Despite the fall of President Suharto in Indonesia, hundreds of political prisoners remain in jail, with countless others still missing. Playworks, Culture Lab, the Actors Centre, Belvoir Street Theatre
-
The Sum of UsWritten by David StevensDirected by Colin NorrisNew Farm Nash Theatre Inc.Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8pm until June 27 Review by Lynda Hansen The Sum of Us is being performed in conjunction with the ninth Lesbian and Gay
-
Tradition in search of a future Children of the DevilPerformed by Russell DykstraDirected by David BellBelvoir Street Theatre, Sydney, until June 28Carlton Courthouse, Melbourne, June 30-July 11 Review by Allen Myers After the performance, the
-
A Punch in the FaceWritten by Rainer HachfeldDirected by Nadine HelmiWith Jason Dean, Karren Lewis, Veronica Whelan and Heath WardSurf 'n' Theatre CompanyBondi Pavilion Theatre Review by Brendan Doyle The Surf 'n' Theatre Company, based in Bondi,
-
Barrie, meet David Mourning Becomes Electra By Eugene O'Neill Directed by Barrie Kosky Sydney Theatre Company Wharf Theatre, Sydney until June 27 Barrie Kosky, the one-man avant-garde of
-
SYDNEY — Wild Spaces, an environmental film festival, is about to open here. The festival will present a collection of films dealing with environmental and social issues. It features documentaries and animations from around the
-
Drama in black and white Welcome to BroomeBy Richard MellickDirected by Michael GowCompany B and Black Swan Theatre Belvoir Street Theatre, Surry Hills, SydneyUntil July 12 Review by Helen Jarvis In 1997 Belvoir Street Theatre put on an
-
Baffled by the shift Blinded by the SunBy Stephen PoliakoffDirected by Sandra BatesWith Peter Kowitz, Lorraine Bayly, Andrew McFarlane, Tammy MacIntosh, Norman Kaye, Tina Bursill, Kate Fischer, Ron GrahamEnsemble TheatreThe Playhouse, Sydney Opera
-
The Last Ship John Tognolini ventures onto the high seas for the third in a series of radio features about working life in Australia. After painting vivid aural portraits of volunteer firefighters and scaffolder/riggers, "Togs" returns to his
-
Free East TimorEdited by Jim AubreyContributors include Noam Chomsky, John Pilger, Jose Ramos Horta, Ken Fry and Justice Marcus EinfeldVintage Books, 1998 Review by Jon Land This book examines Australia's aiding and abetting of the Indonesian