Rio Tinto campaign
SYDNEY ... A national campaign to force mining giant Rio Tinto to respect human, environmental and workers' rights was given a boost when representatives from AidWatch, Amnesty International, Community Aid Abroad, Friends of the Earth, Green Left Weekly, the West Papua Support Group, the Wilderness Society and the Minerals Policy Institute met with John Maitland, general secretary of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union on March 2.
The network is part of an international campaign, launched on February 7 by the International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers Union. The CFMEU has produced a documentary exposing the international union-busting activities of Rio Tinto. Naked in the Jungle: Rio Tinto Revealed will be launched on March 15 in the Metcalfe Auditorium, NSW State Library at 11am.
Internet feminism
CANBERRA — An enthusiastic audience of around 300, mainly women, attended the 10th annual Pamela Denoon lecture featuring cyperspace "gura" Kathy Bail on March 5.
In a witty, light-hearted account of the virtues of the internet for feminists, Bail ably illustrated her thesis that new feminisms must target infotainment to reach younger women.
Bail's message, that technology is a tool for doing radical politics, emphasises the democracy of the net and its potential for broader participation in information exchange. She pointed to how electronic mail lists were used to correct media errors and evasions about the attacks on abortion access in WA.
Citizen participation in the new technology provides the opportunity to counter the control of media technology, and to overcome media stereotypes of feminists and reach out to young women, she said. The audience responded enthusiastically to this theme.
Chain of hands
CANBERRA — More than 1500 people participated in a "chain of hands" around Parliament House on March 4. The event was organised by Defenders of Native Title Victoria and Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation to draw attention to opposition to the government's 10-point plan.
Participants walked backwards around Parliament House (to symbolise the backward step that the plan represents) after security guards disallowed them to link hands on the grounds that it would set a precedent for the encirclement of parliament!
Participants were also prevented from holding placards, banners and flags during the protest. Labor Senate president Margaret Reid said that the placards were "contrary to what I understood had been agreed would take place".
Forest blockade
HOBART — A non-violent blockade has been established at a logging coupe near Mother Cummings Peak in the Great Western Tiers, where North Forest Products began logging on March 3.
Five blockaders have been arrested, including the deputy mayor of Meander Valley, Kim Booth. For more information, phone 6369 5102, 0419 628729 or 6234 9366.
More miners sacked
NEWCASTLE — Rio Tinto has announced a further 192 retrenchments at the Hunter Valley No. 1 mine. This follows its decision to close the mine at Vickery, and the recent sacking of 230 workers from Mt Thorley mine.
The CFMEU said that it would reserve its decision about taking action until it had more information about the nature of the sackings. The union leaders will, however, recommend to members that they strike for 24 hours on March 12 in support of Newcastle maritime workers who will be striking in solidarity with the Webb Dock workers in Melbourne.
Jabiluka campaign
DARWIN — Thirty people attended a special meeting of the Anti-Uranium Coalition to hear reports on the planned blockade of the proposed Jabiluka uranium mine.
A fundraising concert will be held on March 20, along with a festival at the blockade site over the Easter weekend. To get involved, phone the NT Environment Centre on 898 11984.
Bludgers launch
HOBART — Twenty people attended the Hobart launch of Bludgers in Grass Castles on March 3. Kamala Emanuel told the crowd that the pamphlet has an important role in building support for Aboriginal rights.
Women's Room
BRISBANE — Feminists at Griffith University are angry that the Student Representative Council, dominated by ALP right students, has been allowing men into the Women's Room. The SRC has also abolished the women's edition of the student newspaper Gravity.
In response to the anger, the SRC has put posters around campus which slur both the socialist youth group Resistance and the feminist movement. A forum has been organised for March 16 at 12 noon at the Casbar to organise a campaign against the SRC's sexist attacks. The forum will discuss the myth of
reverse discrimination and be addressed by a range of feminists. For information, phone 3254 0565.