RFAs opposed
CANBERRA — On July 18, about 30 people protested outside Liberal Senator Margaret Reid's Office. The action, organised by the Wilderness Society, was to protest against regional forest agreements, which a TWS spokesperson said had proved to be a disaster for conservation. He called on Senator Reid to use her influence to ensure that the federal government protect conservation areas and "restore some public confidence in [the government's] willingness to protect our forest heritage."
Holsworthy meeting
WOLLONGONG — Around 60 people attended an information night on July 16 about the effects of the proposed airport at Holsworthy on southern residents. Presentations by members of the Illawarra Against Holsworthy Airport group outlined the noise, air and water pollution which would result from the Holsworthy option.
People from all areas threatened by an airport will gather at Hammondville Oval, Heathcote Road for a family rally on July 27 at 12noon.
Fascism in France
BRISBANE — "In a period of the rise of a far right, racist movement, we can learn a lot from the experience of France and the development of the fascist National Front [FN]", Sam Wainwright told a public forum at the Resistance Centre here on July 16.
Wainwright recently returned from France, where he was a correspondent for Green Left Weekly for a year. He pointed out that the FN has moved a stage further toward genuine fascism than the Hanson movement. It is not only a parliamentary organisation, but carries out violence against migrants and has established a visible street presence.
The main task now is not only to reject the racist policies which victimise migrants, but also to "develop a political alternative to mainstream politics which ... opens the way for a socialist Europe of the future", Wainwright concluded.