ADELAIDE — The latest figures from the Public Sector Union national election indicate that the PSU National Challenge group will pick up about 30% of the local vote. This is a resounding success given its resource and financial limitations.
ADELAIDE — An Advertiser news poll has found that support for the Liberal state government's proposed cuts to the public sector is below 50%. The poll also found 74% opposed any further cuts to teachers in public schools.
Jan McMahon, secretary of the Public Service Association, said, "If you ask people about the public service, they'll tell you it is made up of tea-drinking people who sit at desks all day. But if you then ask them if they want their services cut, the answer will be 'no'." The South Australian Institute of Teachers described the poll as a "significant blow to the government".
BRISBANE — Potentially dangerous levels of mercury vapour were detected at the Royal Brisbane hospital in June, a worker in the air-conditioned block 7 told Green Left Weekly.
A workplace health and safety inspector found spills of the highly toxic metal mercury, the result of hundreds of thermometers per year broken by nursing staff. Staff are not informed about mercury's toxic properties, nor are they instructed as to how to clean up the spills. The issue is of particular importance to expectant mothers. Inhaled mercury vapours can cause birth defects by crossing the placenta.
MELBOURNE — Eight campaigners arrested on the Richmond Secondary College picket line last December go to trial on June 28. The eight defendants are Jesse Buck, Jeremy Dixon, Dave Gordon, Yvette Meyer, Ruben Montero, Jeanette Purkis, Geoff Spencer and Jo Whelton. Charges range from besetting premises to hinder (a law introduced in 1971 at the height of the anti-Vietnam War campaign), obstruction and resisting arrest.
Despite government and police statements at the time, none of the activists were arrested for violent offences. The only violence came from the police, who baton-charged the peaceful picket line.