Doctors stop work
Rolling stoppages of doctors in public hospitals across NSW began on November 13. The stoppages are part of a campaign to oppose the government's restriction on Medicare provider numbers. The restriction will mean that about a third of new doctors each year will be denied provider numbers. Their patients outside of public hospitals won't be able to get Medicare rebates or be bulk-billed.
Transport strike
ADELAIDE — Buses and trams were stalled on November 14 as a result of lightning work bans by maintenance staff protesting the failure of the government to negotiate adequate conditions under enterprise bargaining. Transport minister Di Laidlaw tried to win public sympathy by walking to work and apologising to commuters stranded at bus stops.
Indonesian solidarity
ADELAIDE — The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union Women's Committee, meeting on November 5, endorsed a motion condemning the Suharto government and expressing solidarity with struggling workers and students in Indonesia. The committee also requested that the AMWU nationally extend solidarity and take all possible steps to seek an end to the repression of the pro-democracy organisations.
Delegates at the Community and Public Sector Union branch conference on November 12 also passed a motion of solidarity with the Indonesian activists jailed by Suharto.
Support for Ogani
HOBART — Twenty people attended an international day of protest on November 10 in support of 19 Nigerian Ogani activists who are facing death for demanding environmental and social justice for the Ogani people. The action took the form of a letter-writing day, organised by the Body Shop, and held at the Wilderness Society shop. In 1995, despite international outcry, Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other Ogani activists were hanged by the Nigerian military dictatorship.
Members of the Greens, Action in Solidarity with Indonesia and East Timor and the Hobart East Timor Committee were in attendance. Australian Greens Senator Bob Brown spoke of the struggle of the Ogani people and the destructive role the Shell corporation plays in aiding the Nigerian military.
University of SA staff fight
ADELAIDE — A stop-work meeting of more than 500 workers from the University of South Australia on November 13 voted to impose ongoing industrial action over a pay offer. Members of the National Tertiary Education and Industry Union, the Community and Public Sector Union/Public Services Association and the Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers Union voted for a united campaign.
Management offered only a 1.3% pay rise as part of a bonus scheme for staff, while proposing that any savings or productivity improvements above the safety net adjustments be split between the university and employees. Industrial action includes a ban on the processing and transmission of examination and end of year results; all general staff to work to rule; withdrawal from all university committees; and grounds staff to refuse administrative duties.
Anti-racism forum
NEWCASTLE — One hundred and fifty people attended an anti-racism forum on November 14 organised by the Community Arts Centre and the Ethnic Affairs Commission. Participants heard from speakers representing a range of community, legal, church and political organisations.
Workshop groups discussed people's experiences of racism, what message people wanted to relay to the community and where to take the debate from here. The forum produced a statement affirming commitment to and pride in multiculturalism, and calling for effective leadership in the face of growing racism in the community. Following the forum, a Dance against Racism was held in Civic Park.
Protest mining awards
BRISBANE — Supporters of conservation organisations rallied outside state parliament here on November 13 to protest the Queensland premier's "awards for environmental excellence in mining". The protesters entered the Parliamentary Annex and poured a bag of sand onto the floor to condemn Consolidated Rutile Ltd's sand mining operations on North Stradbroke Island.
Mines minister Tom Gilmore told parliament on November 12 that he had issued a show-cause notice to CRL as to why one of its leases should not be cancelled after it broke environmental conditions at its Gordon mine on the island. Uncontrolled seepage has been occurring from the mine's dredge pond into surrounding bush.