Protest against French test
MELBOURNE — The No More Hiroshimas Coalition organised an emergency protest at City Square on January 28 in response to the latest French nuclear test. Around 50 people listened to speakers point out the dangers of nuclear testing. Ray Fulcher from the coalition spoke of the ALP government's uranium exports, which continue to prop up the nuclear industry worldwide, and of the opportunity to protest against this policy at the federal election. He drew attention to the candidates who express clear opposition to nuclear testing, such as the Democratic Socialist candidate for Melbourne, Di Quin.
Democratic Socialists' challenge
ADELAIDE — Melanie Sjoberg, candidate for the seat of Hindmarsh, called for a serious break with the two-party sham at the Democratic Socialists election campaign launch on February 4. Supporters heard policies which clearly pose the needs of people ahead of the profits of corporate business. Sjoberg pointed out that women in particular have been seriously attacked by the economic rationalist agenda of the major parties. "The industrial relations system, which prefers enterprise bargaining as a model, has been shown to erode the wages and conditions of women workers even further. Cutbacks in the public sector, especially health and education, also impact on women, who are expected to pick up the pieces through their role as carers. This is the worst form of privatisation", she said.
Women's Party launched
ADELAIDE — "Sharing the Power" is the theme of the Australian Women's Party, launched here on February 3. Thirty women heard speakers on policy issues and were introduced to the Senate team of Deborah McCullough, Marg McHugh and Denise Tzumli. The party intends to focus on constitutional change in order to gain the right of equal representation in parliament for women.
Protest against security treaty
ADELAIDE — A protest of 50 people was held on February 3 outside the Indonesian consulate, in opposition to the Indonesia-Australia Agreement on Maintaining Security. The action was organised by ASIET (Action in Solidarity with Indonesia and East Timor) and the socialist youth organisation Resistance. Speakers highlighted the fact that this treaty has little to do with maintaining "security" in the region, but rather is intended to ensure greater stability for investment by Australian companies in Indonesia and East Timor. The action concluded with an appeal for all who attended to support an August 18 national day of action which has been proposed by CNRM (National Council of Maubere Resistance), Fretilin, Timorese Democratic Union and a range of East Timor and Indonesian solidarity groups.
Watson speaks on black deaths
BRISBANE — Sam Watson, former head of the Aboriginal Legal Service here and currently director of a new film on black deaths in custody, told a 40-strong Democratic Socialist Party forum on January 31 that nothing has changed since the royal commission into Aboriginal deaths in police and prison custody several years ago. Four Aborigines had died in custody in Queensland in the past month, he said. The recommendations of the royal commission were not being carried out.
Tax Office bans
MELBOURNE — On January 29, members of the Tax Office Division of the Community and Public Sector Union began imposing bans affecting revenue collection, statistical reporting and public contact outside the hours of 10am to 2pm. Key issues in the dispute include job security and forced transfers. Management has announced plans to transfer 200 workers from Casselden Place in Melbourne's CBD to outer suburban Box Hill and Moonee Ponds, causing greatly increased travel time and other inconvenience for many workers. The Industrial Relations Commission will hold a hearing on the dispute on February 6.