Action updates

Action update

Hemp rally

BRISBANE — More than 200 people met in the Botanic Gardens on October 20 for a hemp "tea party" as part of the ongoing campaign to legalise marijuana in Queensland. Tony Kneipp and John Jiggens from HEMP (Help End Marijuana Prohibition) spoke before leading a march to Parliament House where the illegal act of planting the noxious weed was carried out.

PSA staff strike

ADELAIDE — Industrial organisers and other employees of the Public Service Association (PSA), one of the largest unions in the state, held a 24-hour strike on October 21. Following a major reduction of staff 18 months ago, the union had been operating on a growing number of temporary employees. PSA staff claimed that consultation had not occurred and demanded that more staff be employed. Subsequent meetings of the PSA executive indicated that most of the demands are likely to be met.

Lesbians and gays protest against violence

SYDNEY — About 200 gays, lesbians, tranys and their supporters protested on October 22 against the homosexual "panic defence" after a jury refused to convict a man of murder because his victim was dressed as a woman. The rally, organised by the Transgender Liberation Coalition, also addressed other issues of violence against lesbians and gay men.