Jabiluka forum at Tas Uni
HOBART — In support of the national campaign to stop the Jabiluka uranium mine, the Resistance Club at the University of Tasmania held a forum on uranium mining on March 24.
Hugh Lockwood spoke about the threats posed to humans and the environment at every stage of the uranium cycle, from its excavation to its use in weapons of mass destruction. Participants also pointed out the links between the campaigns against Jabiluka and logging in Kooparoona Niara (see article above).
Werribee toxic dump protest
MELBOURNE — The Kennett government's decision to consider locating the CSR toxic waste dump in suburban Werribee has angered residents. On March 24, thousands of protesters staged a blockade of the CSR site, spilling onto the Geelong-Melbourne freeway.
Campaign spokesperson Harry Van Moorst declared that "CSR is no longer welcome in Werribee. Its record of environmental vandalism and community abuse makes it unacceptable ... We will escalate our opposition, both in Werribee and other areas where CSR continues to abuse the environment."
Wollongong Sea of Hands
WOLLONGONG — Just after dawn on March 22 the Botanic Gardens here were ablaze with colour and activity as the Sea of Hands — a visual statement of opposition to PM John Howard's attacks on native title — was installed.
Around 1000 people came to see or help with the exhibition of 100,000 hands in six colours planted in a huge Aboriginal design over several thousand square metres. The Sea of Hands is reputed to be the largest movable artwork in the southern hemisphere.
The event, organised by the Illawarra Residents for Native Title, was addressed by Olga Havnen from the National Indigenous Working Party; civil rights activist Tim Anderson; long-time fighter for social justice and workers' rights Fred Moore; and Nicole Hilder from Resistance and the Democratic Socialist Party
Conductors prepare to fight
MELBOURNE — Tram conductors are staging a last ditch campaign to reverse their removal from the city's public transport system. Five of the eight tram depots have refused to sack all their conductors after the introduction of the "onelink" automatic ticketing system.
Some 750 conductors have been sacked. This is despite widespread public dissatisfaction with the new system. Daily tickets are now only available from shops and ticket machines on trams do not give change.
A group of conductors is campaigning for reinstatement and against large fines imposed on them for not collecting fares. The conductors are not being supported by the Public Transport Union leaders.
Reconciliation in Berry
BERRY — On March 21, 50 people participated in the Berry Reconciliation Committee's first public action, featuring a performance by Nowra Aboriginal group, the Doonooch Dancers.
BRC convener Gavin Mooney told Green Left Weekly: "The committee has been going since last October. I placed a notice in the local paper for a public meeting to gauge the sentiment of local residents and 15 people attended. Since then, the committee has grown to around 25."
Sharon Bloxsome, the group's Aboriginal spokesperson, told Green Left: "We began because we felt there was an opportunity to change the misconceptions many people have about native title — which are mostly the result of the government's scaremongering. By Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people taking united action around reconciliation, the process will be made broader and stronger." The BRC can be contacted on (02) 4464 2650.
Reclaim the Streets
MELBOURNE — More than 1000 people rallied, then marched, then danced their way through the first Reclaim the Streets — from Carlton Gardens to near the RMIT — on March 28.
Jacqui Katona, representing the Mirrar people, spoke on the struggle of her people to stop the Jabiluka mine and reclaim their land. Other speakers addressed the need for public transport, the weak role of the EPA in protecting the environment and the impact of pollution on people's health and the environment.