Editorial

M1: Demand money for jobs, not war

Since the September 11 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, First World governments have exploited the fear that was generated to justify the diversion of government funds from programs that benefit working people and the poor to the

Woomera and beyond

Woomera and beyond The Easter protest at the Woomera immigration detention centre successfully highlighted the brutality of the Australian government's policy of mandatory detention of asylum seekers. It has added momentum to the

ALP trickle will become a flood

ALP trickle will become a flood The response of rank-and-file unionists to Victorian Electrical Trades Union leader Dean Mighell's resignation from the Labor Party was predictable: “Good on yer mate, it's about time!” They don't want

Build the refugees' rights movement

Since the Australian government's refusal last year to allow asylum seekers rescued by the Norwegian freighter Tampa to land in Australia, a significant protest movement in support of refugees' rights has developed across Australia. The movement has

Sacrificed on the altar of imperialism

Sacrificed on the altar of imperialism “It is more dangerous, but at the end of the day ... the sure way to work against the enemy is to put people on the ground”, General Tommy Franks, the commander of Washington's war in Afghanistan,

The solution to airline crisis

The solution to airline crisis The February 27 collapse of the Tesna bid from millionaires Lindsay Fox and Solomon Lew for Ansett will almost certainly mark the final end of that airline. As a result, Australians can look forward to

Howard must go!

Howard must go! By February 22, it appeared that former defence minister Peter Reith had finally decided to hang on to the hot potato of blame in the “children overboard” scandal. Admitting that he knew the federal Coalition

Mass pressure needed to change Labor policy

According to a Melbourne Age poll, conducted by AC Nielson last August and September, Prime Minister John Howard's government enjoyed 71% support for its policy of mandatory detention of asylum seekers who arrive without permission. However, a

Anti-refugee policy can be abolished

Anti-refugee policy can be abolished Prime Minister John Howard and immigration minister Philip Ruddock stood firm throughout the two-week hunger strike by asylum seekers in the Woomera detention centre. Some said this was proof that

Let all the refugees out!

In his Australia Day address on January 26, Labor opposition leader Simon Crean argued that women and children asylum seekers should be released from refugee detention centres. He called for a "solution that is lasting, bi-partisan and firm, but

Onto the streets to free the refugees!

The Coalition government is facing a serious political crisis. The desperate and heroic actions of more than 300 hunger strikers at Woomera and Maribyrnong detention centres have again focused the spotlight on the inhumanity and illegality of the

Build global solidarity

It is one year into the 21st century, but you could be forgiven for thinking we were back in the 19th century. In the imperialist capitals there is ominous talk of the "clash of civilisations" and the need for the "enlightened" West to lend a firm