Dili massacre commemorated
PERTH — On November 16, 300 people marched through the streets of Fremantle to commemorate the 1991 Dili massacre and protest the Australian government's continued support for the Suharto regime. They demanded that the Indonesian government free Xanana Gusmao and all other political prisoners in East Timor, and that the Australian government to cut military ties with the Indonesian dictatorship and let all the East Timorese refugees stay.
Half way through the march the crowd stopped, linked arms and held one-minutes' silence for those who died in the massacre, before marching on to the Fremantle Esplanade for a rally. Francisco Soars from Fretilin, two UDT representatives and Edwin Gozal from the banned Indonesian People's Democratic Party addressed the rally.
Otway forest blockade
Logging has commenced in Geelong's domestic water catchment (West Barwon Dam) and in the catchment of the Cumberland River. Both logging operations are only a two-hour drive south-west of Melbourne.
The Otway Ranges Environment Network intends to establish non-violent blockades of both these coups. The OREN base camp is at Curtis Clearing, 15 km along Mt. Sabine Road, south of the Erskine Falls intersection. It is just a short distance from the logging coups. For more information about how to get involved, telephone OREN at (03) 5237 7516 or email NEWCASTLE — Teachers at Hunter TAFE are taking industrial action to protest against management's budget cuts. The first of a series of protests was held on the 16 campuses on November 19, with picketers drawing the link between the cuts and the profit-driven nature of TAFE. Up to $4 million worth of cuts are proposed, including the closure of some courses and a program to enhance access by students from disadvantaged groups.
BRISBANE — Around 300 residents of inner-city West End met on November 20 to protest developments which are destroying the unique character of this socially diverse area.
Speakers condemned environmental and social problems caused by big business development, including excessive traffic in suburban streets, expensive housing developments which are replacing existing "Queenslander"-style housing, the destruction of small businesses in the West End markets by large shopping malls, and problems associated with a proposed multi-storey car park near a local kindergarten.
The meeting called for a 12-month moratorium on major developments to allow alternative plans to be developed. For more information about the Kurilpa Community Protection Society, write to PO Box 5409, West End 4101, or telephone (07) 3844 4973.
WOLLONGONG — The Russian Revolution was the topic of the annual Jim Percy memorial lecture held here on November 21. Participants at the forum and dinner discussed the gains and lessons of the 1917 uprising before drinking a toast to the revolution. The meeting was one of 10 Jim Percy memorial lectures held in cities around the country this month.
Industrial action at Hunter TAFE
Campaign to protect the West End
Jim Percy memorial