ADELAIDE — Resistance activists kicked off an anti-Liberal government campaign at Mitchem Girls High School on May 12. The first stage of the campaign involves organising a high school student strike to coincide with industrial action by teachers on May 24. Those who wish to be involved can contact Emma, Anthony or Tully on 231 6982.
BRISBANE — Around 100 people attended a "victory party" at the Resistance Centre here on May 14, to celebrate the African National Congress win in the recent South African elections. "The lies and distortions being spread in the big business media in Australia about the situation in South Africa underline the need for the truth to be broadcast in alternative media such as Green Left Weekly", former GLW overseas correspondent Ana Kailis said. Proceeds were directed to the fund drive to keep GLW journalist Norm Dixon based in Johannesburg.
- Three representatives of the Dayak people of North Borneo addressed a public meeting here on May 8 as part of an Australian east coast tour. Anja Light, a local rainforest campaigner, introduced the speakers, who described the disastrous impact of agricultural development and a money economy imposed upon them by the Malaysian government. The meeting launched a Malaysian tourism boycott campaign by members of the Rainforest Action Group. World Environment Day committee member Lynda Hansen stated that "indigenous people's rights will be a major theme in activities planned for World Environment Day on June 5".
MELBOURNE — 500 shop stewards and union delegates rallied at Trades Hall on May 12 to defend public holidays. State government legislation cutting several public holidays is being challenged in the Industrial Relations Commission by asking for public holidays to be inserted into (federal) awards. Before marching to the IRC from Trades Hall, the delegates heard VTHC secretary John Halfpenny advise them to "start the ball rolling on the job to have holidays guaranteed by the employer".
- More than a thousand people rallied on May 8, for the third time in as many weeks, to protest against the Serbian war against Bosnia and the hypocrisy and complicity of world leaders. Comprising Bosnians, Croats, Macedonians, Albanians, Slovenians, a significant number of Serbs and a range of other opponents of the war, the rally demanded an immediate end to the arms embargo that has held the communities of multi-ethnic Bosnia defenceless in the face of Serbian expansionism and "ethnic cleansing".
SEYMOUR, Vic — While many Australians celebrated "our" military past, on April 23-25, some 40 dedicated activists from Brisbane, Port Macquarie, Newcastle, Wollongong, Melbourne, rural Victoria, southern Tasmania and Adelaide gathered for the Australian Non-violence Network (ANN) annual conference at "Common Ground" here. Even after 13-14 hour days formulating strategies and planning activities, participants left the conference feeling positive and invigorated.