CPSU protest
CANBERRA — Members of the Community and Public Sector Union protested against the Liberal government's cuts and privatisation of the public service outside the "Innovations in Public Service" conference on February 25. Industrial relations minister Peter Reith, arriving at the front entrance alone, was greeted with a barrage of boos and calls to abolish the Workplace Relations Act. The conference showcased Liberal "innovations" such as the privatisation of the CES and the Department of Administrative Services.
The protest action provided an opportunity for CPSU activists from various departments to discuss how to push their union leadership to campaign seriously against the government's attacks.
IWD fundraiser
CANBERRA — Around 100 people attended a performance night to raise funds for International Women's Day on February 27. A range of women singers, poets, dancers and comedy acts donated their talent and time to the event, which raised $400 for the IWD march and rally on March 8.
Landmines forum
GRANVILLE — Landmines were discussed at a forum organised by the Parramatta Peace Group on February 26. Speakers included Gabriella Gresz from the Institute of Sisters of Mercy and Moses Havini, Australian representative of the Bougainville Interim Government.
Gresz explained that more than 20 countries are facing a severe crisis due to landmine "infestation". Havini said that the PNG Defence Force is improvising landmines from Australian-supplied grenades and ammunition. The meeting demanded that the Australian government take a tougher stand against landmines, including destroying its stockpile, and endorsed a national day of action against landmines on May 26.
New Labour launched
SYDNEY — Twelve Sydneysiders launched the Sydney branch of the New Labour Party on the evening of February 22, encouraged by six New Labour members from other cities. Bob Leach, interim secretary of the NLP, said that New Labour aims to do what the NewLabour Party in New Zealand and other electoral alliances in Italy and Mexico did. Another, more public, launch of the Sydney New Labour Party will be held on April 3 at the Annandale Community Centre.
Guatemalan film night
PERTH — On February 21, the Committee in Solidarity with Latin America and the Caribbean, in conjunction with Friends of Guatemala, screened La hija del puma (Daughter of the Puma). After the film, Leonor Orellana addressed the gathering about the hopes of the Guatemalan people and a recent peace agreement between the Guatemalan National Revolutionary Unity and the government.
Tas Uni gets women's room
HOBART — After years of campaigning, the Sandy Bay campus of the University of Tasmania has a women's room. It is the second last campus in Australia to have a women's room. The room will offer free coffee and tea, and information about feminism, contraception, safe sex and support services.
Susan O'Leary, the SRC women's officer, said: "Most places around uni are male dominated. Sexual harassment, abuse, gender-exclusive language and inadequate safety on campus are just a few reasons why women need a safe space."
Education network formed
BRISBANE — On February 24, the Queensland Education Action Network was formed to organise the campaign against education cuts. The initial focus will be organising a rally on the national day of action against the cuts, March 26.
The meeting decided that the demands of the rally should be for Austudy as a livable income; lowering the independent age for Austudy; no common youth allowance; increased education funding; and free education. Campus groups will be formed to build the campaign.
New DSP office opened
PENRITH — The new office of the Penrith-/Blue Mountains branch of the Democratic Socialist Party opened on February 28. Thirty supporters of the DSP and Green Left Weekly celebrated what branch spokesperson Rupen Savoulian described as an "important expansion of the influence of the left" in Sydney.
The office will be the western suburbs base of the DSP, the socialist youth group Resistance and Green Left Weekly. Green Left and a range of socialist literature will be on sale there. The Penrith Resistance Centre is at 16/513-519 High Street, Penrith (across the hall from the Penrith Press office) and is open on Thursdays 7pm-9pm and Saturdays. Phone (047) 222 214.
Multiculturalism
BRISBANE — "Shaping multicultural Australia: your vision" was the theme of a public meeting held in the Town Hall on February 24.
A panel of speakers from academia, the Catholic Church, government bodies and the Council for Civil Liberties addressed reconciliation and social justice in the context of the racism debate sparked by Pauline Hanson's outbursts last year. A major theme was that racism must be combated by unity between all the disadvantaged sectors suffering under the economic crisis.
Queer Collaborations
SYDNEY — The first conference of the recently formed Queer Collaborations NSW network was held at the University of Technology on February 15. About 60 queer activists discussed theories of sexuality, the history and achievements of the gay and lesbian movement, issues facing non-metropolitan queers and community activism.
QC NSW's entry in the March 1 Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade was a huge Amanda Vanstone figure pulled by her nipple rings — designed to protest the government's funding cuts to tertiary education. QC NSW plans to hold more conferences and concentrate on local activism. For more information, contact Nassim on (02) 9267 4462.