Community radio rally
ADELAIDE — On June 21, local bands, students, political activists, migrant groups and many others made up a 400-strong crowd on the steps of Parliament House to show their support for community radio. Annual funding of $132,000 to community radio had been abolished in the state budget, to be replaced by a one-off grant of $100,000. Although no Adelaide station is likely to close, all are under pressure to increase commercial sponsorship.
Stonewall march
BRISBANE — One thousand people marched here to commemorate the 26th anniversary of the Stonewall riots on July 1. The rally was part of Brisbane's sixth annual Lesbian and Gay Pride Festival. Michael Carden spoke of the significance of the Stonewall riots, considered the birth of the modern lesbian and gay rights movement. Gay Lemon described the hypocrisy of the United Nations International Year of Tolerance. The rally was followed by a loud and vocal march to Musgrave Park for a festival.
A joint Lesbian and Gay Pride and Green Left fundraiser was held as part of the Pride Festival at the Shamrock Hotel on June 29. Performers included Isis, Chris Maver, Evelyn Hartogh and jazz duo Stacey and Jamie.
Abattoirs set for strike
Five Queensland abattoirs face a week-long strike from July 3 in protest at the exclusion of meat union officials from an enterprise bargaining meeting at the Australia Meat Holdings abattoir at Rockhampton on June 28. The strike by about 2000 workers at AMH plants would shut down about 60% of the state's meat processing industry, closing abattoirs at Dinmore, Townsville, Toowoomba, Beaudesert and Rockhampton.
Anti-nuclear forum
BRISBANE — On June 28, 50 people attended a public meeting opposing French nuclear testing organised by the Democratic Socialist Party. Jim McIlroy, secretary of the DSP Brisbane branch, discussed the history of anti-nuclear activism. He concluded that the unanimity of current opposition to testing at Moruroa is a result of decades of campaigning by the peace movement. Zanny Begg, Democratic Socialist candidate for Brisbane Central in the state elections, spoke of the ALP's betrayal on uranium mining.
Freedom Charter celebration
PERTH — More than 300 people attended a dinner dance on July 1 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the African National Congress Freedom Charter. The evening was organised by West Australian South African Solidarity (WASAS), with all proceeds going to their 1995 work and study brigade, which leaves at the end of the year. Speakers included Sheila Suttner from Campaign Against Racial Exploitation, Segun Olowoyo on behalf of the WA African community and Aboriginal activist Clarrie Isaacs.
Anti-privatisation groups spread
Locally based anti-privatisation groups are being established across Victoria as part of the anti-privatisation campaign group called "Public First". Groups have so far been established in Essendon, Frankston/Mornington Peninsula, Geelong, Mitcham, Mordialloc, Warragul/Morwell, Footscray and Brunswick/Coburg. The most recent local group, covering the inner suburbs of Melbourne, was launched on June 22. To get involved in your local group, contact the office of Public First on (03) 9662 9688.
UNSW staff bans
SYDNEY — University of NSW academic staff on June 27 banned reporting of final results in response to Vice-Chancellor John Niland's failure to agree to fund a 2% salary increase awarded to them 18 months ago. Staff do not accept the administration's claim that it cannot afford to pay, given recent expenditure on senior administrative staff salaries, refurbishment of the campus and the underwriting of private universities in Indonesia and China.
Campbelltown anti-nuclear rally
Around 60 people marched in the centre of Campbelltown in Sydney's south-west on July 1 to demand no French nuclear tests and an end to uranium mining. The rally and march were organised by a group of concerned residents so that people unable to get into the city for central protest actions could express their anger "on their own turf".
Blue Mountains 'no' to McDonald's
Residents are opposing a development application by McDonald's for a 24-hour restaurant in Wentworth Falls. Public meetings, protests and a letter-writing campaign are being organised. Residents and tourists are being encouraged to write to the Blue Mountains City Council, before July 12, expressing concern that the restaurant would destroy the beauty of this popular tourist destination. For additional information, ring (047) 573 339 or write to PO Box 103, Wentworth Falls 2782.