Protesters blockade Timbarra road
TENTERFIELD — More than 100 protesters opposed to Ross Mining's Timbarra goldmine have set up three blockades on the access road between Tenterfield and the mine site.
The blockade is a combined effort by Friends of the Earth, the National Union of Students, Southern Cross University students, the Timbarra Direct Action Group, the Jabiluka Peace Bus and local conservationists and residents.
Shamus Moore from Timbarra Direct Action, said the blockade marks "a new phase in the fight to save the Timbarra Plateau from further destruction."
Students take VSU fight to Tierney
NEWCASTLE — On May 12, more than 100 Newcastle University students marched on Senator John Tierney's office to protest against the federal government's proposed voluntary student unionism legislation. Tierney is chairperson of the Senate select committee on VSU legislation.
Carrying flags, posters, placards and papier mache images of Howard government ministers and others, including Rupert Murdoch, the rally wound its way through the main shopping mall yelling, "VSU is no choice, it denies the student voice".
Jabiluka opponents march
MACKAY — The May Day march here, for the first time in many years, included a group representing the Mackay Conservation Group. About 25 members and supporters marched to oppose uranium mining and send a message of solidarity to the Mirrar people in their campaign to stop the Jabiluka uranium mine. For more information about the anti-Jabiluka campaign, phone or fax the MCG at (07) 4951 3524.
Chauvinism at anti-NATO rally
MELBOURNE — A rally against NATO's bombing of Serbia was held outside the US consulate on May 8. At least 2000 people attended, mainly Serbs. Serb chauvinist, religious and anti-Semitic views were mixed into the speeches against the bombing, with two speakers claiming "Kosovo is Serbian and always will be".
The few references to the Kosovar Albanians were hostile or patronising. One speaker correctly pointed out that NATO has done nothing to help the Kurds, the East Timorese or the Palestinians, while the US oppresses its own native America and African American populations.
The people reply
CANBERRA — An ACT Trades and Labor Council protest held outside Parliament House as the Treasurer read the budget on May 11 chanted "Education for all, not just the rich", "Tax the rich, not the rest, no GST" and "No GST slug for corporate tax cuts".
Rio Tinto exposed
Rio Tinto: Behind the Facade, launched in London to coincide with the UK annual general meeting of Rio Tinto on May 12, chronicles Rio Tinto's record of human rights abuses, workers' health and safety failures and its large-scale pollution of the environment. The report, published by the International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers Unions, was released in Australia at a meeting in Sydney on May 13.
It explains Rio Tinto's role in drafting the federal Workplace Relations Act, as well as its manoeuvres to restart the Gordonstone coalmine in central Queensland using non-union labour. Further information can be obtained from Paddy Gorman or Peter Colley on (02) 9262 1011.