Issue 1372

News

Sydney's Kurdish community held a peaceful outside the French Consulate to call for justice for Kurdish activists assassinated in Paris by the Turkish state. Ismet Tashtan and Peter Boyle report.

Protesters resist logging in Bulga State Forest

Police arrested two activists peacefully protesting the NSW Forestry Corporation’s logging of Bulga State Forest. Ben Radford reports.

A camp has been set up to support protesters trying to stop native forests being logged in Bulga State Forest. Kerry Smith reports.

The Australian Unemployed Workers Union says it is “time for DJ Albo to stop spinning and start acting on the anti-poverty rhetoric he conveniently spouted from opposition,” reports Nova Sobieralski.

The Australian Anti-Bases Campaign Coalition is asking you to help its short campaign to oppose the federal government’s preparations for war against China. Denis Doherty and Hannah Middleton report.          

Byron Bay rallies for local housing

More than 200 people rallied in Byron Bay to call for a 90-day limit on using residential houses for short stay holiday accommodation, like AirBnB. Alex Bainbridge reports.

Protesters rallied outside the Peruvian Consulate in Sydney to demand an end to the killings in Peru following Pedro Castillo's arrest. Jim McIlroy reports.

Placing United States B-52 bombers at Tindal in the Northern Territory was just one of several dangerous moves to further integrate Australia into US’ war plans against China, a forum heard. Peter Boyle reports.

 

Gas and coal are killing us

The federal government's energy price cap will clip the industry's wings but prices will still rise, writes Alex Bainbridge.

An emergency rally at Sydney Town Hall Square called for the immediate end to the cruel and illegal isolation of Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan. Video by Peter Boyle.

Independent MP David Pocock agreed to Labor’s new industrial relations bill only after it promised to set up an “independent” Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee. Nova Sobieralski reports on its limitations.

Merri-bek Council has decided to accept its First Nations Advisory Committee’s recommendation to stop holding citizenship ceremonies on January 26. Darren Saffin reports.

Labor Mayor Darcy Byrne has told Greens and Independent councillors to develop their own business case for demerger if they do not like what is on offer. Peter Boyle reports.

The holiday season is meant to be a joyous time, but for the nearly 3 million poor Australians it is nothing but embarrassment, isolation and hunger. Nova Sobieralski reports.

Anti-coal activists sang adapted Christmas carols outside the head office of National Australia Bank as part of the campaign to demand it end funding to all fossil fuel projects. Jim McIlroy reports.

The Mackay Conservation Group is celebrating after it was announced that Urannah Dam had been withdrawn from the environmental assessment process. Kerry Smith reports.

Nilofar told a forum by video link from Indonesia that refugees stranded there are not allowed to work or study, which has led some to suicide. Chris Slee reports.

Kurdish Iranian journalist Behrouz Boochani launched his new book at UNSW, telling a packed-out audience that thousands of refugees are still in limbo. Niko Leka reports.

Community members gathered to raise the West Papuan flag in the lobby of weapons company Thales’ Brisbane office. Kerry Smith reports.

Amnesty International Australia and Amnesty International Indonesia have criticised Australia's decision to award Indonesian military chief, General Andika Perkasa. Kerry Smith reports.

Six environment activists, who stopped a trainload of coal from Adani’s Carmichael mine and climbed machinery at Abbot Point coal terminal two weeks ago faced court today. Kerry Smith reports.

Judge Timothy Gartelmann released climate activist Violet CoCo, on bail, pending her appeal on March 2, 2023. Rachel Evans reports.

Gifts of love and solidarity for Violet CoCo were placed under a Christmas tree, while lumps of coal were addressed to the Queensland and NSW premiers. Kerry Smith reports.

Analysis

Ngiyampaa elder Dr Beryl Carmichael says record flooding on the Darling River was caused by bad policies, including the privatisation of water. Tracey Carpenter reports. 

Labor promised to end the cruel practice of imposing temporary protection visas. Alex Bainbridge argues its announcement concerning 19,000 refugees is welcome, but does not go far enough. 

Campaigners for the 1967 referendum on Aboriginal rights

Frances Peters-Little, director of Vote Yes For Aboriginies, a film about the 1967 referendum, discusses the political context of the vote and the upcoming referendum on the Voice to Parliament with Isaac Nellist.

History shows that governments have consistently resisted any proposals from First Nations advisory bodies to deliver real justice. Peter Boyle argues that the Voice to Parliament could end up as another token gesture, unless there is a strong and independent movement for First Nations justice.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced that her government will enact laws to crack down ever harder on youth offenders. Paul Gregoire reports.

For refugees, people seeking asylum and their supporters, 2022 was a difficult year. But progress has been made, reports Jonathan Strauss.

Raymond “Bubbly” Weatherall, who has been fighting the oil and gas giant for many years, says the fight for culture, land and water is far from over. Pip Hinman reports.

Arcade games

The NSW Premier's pre-election promises of cashless gaming has been challenged by the NSW Greens Pull the Pin on Pokies campaign. Suzanne James investigates.

Enterprise bargaining negotiations have come to a grinding halt since the state-wide strike where nurses and midwives laid out their position on wages and safe ratios. Chris Jenkins reports.

More than $22,000 a minute is being handed over in subsidies to fossil fuel companies. Jay Larbalestier, a Fireproof Australia activist, speaks about why people are protesting. 

Climate activist Violet CoCo’s 15-month jail sentence has caused widespread outrage. But the jailing of climate protesters has been underway for several years, reports Rachel Evans.

World

Kurdish protest in Paris January 2023 cr Sarah Glynn

A large march took place in Paris, on January 7, to demand justice for three Kurdish female activists assassinated by a Turkish gunman in that city 10 years ago. Sarah Glynn participated in the march.

razem zofia malisz

Polish left-wing party Razem (Together) International Office member Zofia Malisz discusses the party’s history, Polish politics and Razem’s views on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Brazil Jan 8 2023

PSOL has condemned the invasion by former far-right president Jair Bolsonaro supporters of the country’s National Congress, arguing it “represents an attempted coup”, reports Federico Fuentes.

Irvin Jim NUMSA

The answers for South Africa will have to come from struggle, National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) leader Irvin Jim tells Vijay Prashad and Zoe Alexandra.

Afghanistan

A new report reveals United States military officials knew that an August 2021 drone strike in Kabul likely killed Afghan civilians including children, but lied about it, writes Brett Wilkins.

Israel

An underreported news development from last year is the election of Benjamin Netanyahu's new government in Israel, reports Rupen Savoulian.

Pakistan floods

While floodwaters have receded across much of Pakistan, relief efforts continue to support flood-affected communities, reports Farooq Tariq.

Camacho culpable

A Bolivian court sentenced far-right Bolivian leader Luis Fernando Camacho to four months of preventive detention in the Chonchocoro Prison while investigation is underway in the ‘Coup d’état I’ case, reports People's Dispatch.

Omali Yeshitela APSP

African People’s Socialist Party chairperson Omali Yeshitela discusses the FBI raid on his home and the continuing US government war on the movement for Black liberation and reparations.

Members and supporters of the APSP following the raids in St Louis, Missouri. Photo: APSP

Members of the African People's Socialist Party (APSP) in the United States are expecting to be indicted this month over spurious allegations, reports Don Fitz, prompting a grassroots solidarity defence campaign.

2022 Peru coup

A rapid end to the Peruvian crisis appears unlikely after the right-wing “soft coup” against President Pedro Castillo, writes Rodrigo Acuña.

Ayacucho massacre

While helicopters flew overhead, members of Peru’s national army shot down civilians with live bullets in the outskirts of the city of Ayacucho on December 15, reports Zoe Alexandra.

A homeless person looking at their shoes

After winning a referendum to expropriate from corporate landlords owning 3000 apartments or more in 2021, Berliners may actually see their demands being implemented in 2023, reports Sibylle Kaczorek.

Protests in Peru

Massive protests continue in Peru in a widespread rejection of the right-wing coup against President Pedro Castillo on December 7, reports Ana Zorita.

Ukraine war

Russia’s war against Ukraine has had devastating consequences for the country’s economy and society, writes Michael Pröbsting.

Global Ecosocialist Network coordinator John Molyneux died suddenly in Dublin in early December. Members of the GEN Steering Committee pay tribute.

A new defence cooperation agreement between Papua New Guinea and Indonesia is causing concern to West Papuans and raising question that need answers, writes Yamin Kagoya.

Iran protests

Dr Saeed Zeydabadi-Nejad discusses the significance of the revolutionary movement in Iran.

Maksym Butkevych

Maksym Butkevytch, a well-known Ukrainian journalist, human rights defender and pacifist, is being held as a prisoner of war, after the capture of his Ukrainian army platoon by Russian occupying forces in June. Isabelle Merminod and Tim Baster report.

Culture

Capital in the Anthropocene

Marxist economist Michael Roberts reviews Kohei Saito's forthcoming book.

His Name Is George Floyd book

Malik Miah reviews His Name is George Floyd, a new book that places George Perry Floyd jnr's life and death at the hands of police in the context of the racial history of the United States.

Sub imperial power book

Chris Slee reviews Clinton Fernandes’ new book examining Australia’s alliance with United States imperialism and its role in its own region.

Ric Throssell book

Maree Roberts reviews Karen Throssell’s book about her father’s persecution at the hands of Australian security services.

Inspiring socialist, feminist, lesbian, left-wing protest singer Grace Petrie spoke with Kamala Emanuel about music and politics.

Paying the Land by Joe Sacco

Acclaimed comics journalist Joe Sacco travelled to the Arctic regions of north-west Canada to learn about the Dene people and their struggles for his latest book, Paying the Land. Andrew Chuter reviews.

Maus and Berlin covers

Andrew Chuter reviews two classic graphic novels: Maus, which tells the story of Vladek Spiegelman, a Jewish survivor of the Holocaust; and Berlin, set during the German Weimar Republic prior to World War II.

Green Left is part of A Love, Art and Revolution Film Festival that will showcase progressive short films in April. Rachel Evans reports.

Ecosocialist Bookshelf

Climate and Capitalism editor Ian Angus presents six important new books on fungi, wheat, racism, building socialism and more.