ADELAIDE — A lively forum at the Resistance Centre on June 18 discussed the events of May-June 1968, when a massive movement of students and workers in France changed the face of politics. Speakers explained the events and explored the implications of such an uprising. It was inspirational to realise that it is possible to have a revolutionary situation in an imperialist country, and to see just how quickly apparent apathy can explode into a vibrant and forceful mass movement. For a few weeks, it was possible to glimpse the possibility of a society in which ordinary people were in control.
- The Australian Nurses Federation, the Australian Medical Association, the South Australian Council of Social Service and the South Australian Community Health Association have formed the Coalition for Better Health to act as a community resource group and advise the government on more appropriate health strategies. State secretary of the Nursing Federation Gail Gago said, "The establishment of the coalition is a clear signal to the government that its strategies for cuts in the provision of health services are not supported by service providers, health professionals and, most importantly, consumers".
PERTH — A discussion attended by more than 40 people at the Christian Centre for Social Action in Subiaco capped off a week long tour by Fatima Gusmao, organised by the Friends of East Timor. Gusmao, now living in Darwin, personally suffered greatly at the hands of the Indonesian military, documented in the Michelle Turner's Telling East-Timor — Personal Testimonies 1942-1992. Gusmao also spoke at the forum "War Crimes — Women, Rape and Ethnic Cleansing" at Murdoch University on June 8, as well as two functions organised by the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom.
SYDNEY — Four hundred people gathered at Glebe Town Hall on June 18 to protest against the continued prohibition of marijuana. Speakers, including independent MLA from the ACT Mike Moore, addressed the medical and recreational uses of cannabis and the urgency to campaign for law reform now. The convener of the meeting, Andrew Kirk, proposed the formation of a working group for the campaign, and 15 people were elected from the meeting.