ADELAIDE — Around 200 women rallied on Sunday, November 14, to demand the repeal of all abortion laws. Barbara Baird, Lyndall Ryan and Margie Ripper spoke about the past, and present restricted access to abortion, and Melanie Sjoberg from the Democratic Socialists spoke about the need to build an independent movement to fight off attacks. Anne Levy, a local Labor MP then spoke about the Labor Party's continuing commitment to women's issues, despite the closure of the Rape Crisis Centre. The rally was organised in response to a mobilisation of anti-choice church groups, which attracted considerable publicity.
- A campaign to support the reopening of a case regarding the death of Terry Arkitidis on police property has collected 30,000 signatures on petitions. Arkitidis' body was found on police property at the base of a water tower. The disappearance of the doctor who conducted the autopsy, the disappearance of Arkitidis' clothes, the hasty removal of the tower itself and other mysteries have convinced many that this was not a case of suicide. All migrant organisations have been asked to participate in the campaign which has organised a protest march on December 4, 11 a.m., starting at Victoria Square and ending at Parliament House.
MELBOURNE — More than 100 people marched from the Museum to Parliament House steps on November 19, protesting against likely oil spills due to increased tanker traffic through Westernport Bay.
PERTH — Julian Agafonoff, a 20-year-old gay man, has taken WA's anti-homosexual laws to the United Nations. In WA, the age of consent is 21 for gay males and 16 for heterosexuals and lesbians. There is no anti-discrimination legislation in the state. Agafonoff is the second Australian to challenge state laws on homosexuality. The UN committee is expected to announce soon its decision in the appeal of Tasmanian gay activist Nick Toonan.