Protest against new secret police powers
ADELAIDE A "journalist", a "minor" and a "neighbour" symbolically detained in a cage on the steps of Parliament House on June 25 were among 70 people protesting the new anti-terrorism law, under which any person over the age of 16 can be jailed for five years without charges or trial for failing to adequately answer questions put to them by the ASIO secret police agency.
Speakers included Mike Khizam from the NOWAR committee, lawyers acting for Guantanamo Bay prisoner David Hicks, and local Greens MP Kris Hanna. Hanna condemned the ALP for not opposing the legislation.
Crown Equipment picketed
SYDNEY A six-week work-to-rule campaign in support of a new enterprise agreement by members of the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union employed at the Smithfield premises of the Crown Equipment forklift manufacturing and servicing company became a one-week picketed strike on June 16.
On the first day of the picket, the company threatened to take the AMWU to court for violating the workplace relations act in particular, for blocking access to the work site and disrupting business. This is despite the fact that the picket line was on the side of driveways and the picketers were mainly handing out leaflets to truck drivers entering the site.
Greens pressure government on Burma
CANBERRA On the Greens' initiative, a motion in support of democracy in Burma was passed by the Senate on June 19. The motion urged the Howard government to pressure the Burmese military regime to reinstitute official dialogue with opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi as a first step towards restoring democracy.
It urged that any Australian government projects, including a proposed three-year "humanitarian assistance" and training programs, with the Burmese regime be suspended until a "democratic parliament" is convened.
Greens senator Kerry Nettle said the massacre on May 30 of Burmese National League for Democracy supporters made it imperative that the Australian government end its "record of appeasement of the junta".
For more information on the campaign for democracy in Burma, phone Maung Maung Than on 0411 337 816 or write to PO Box 504, Auburn, NSW 1835.
ACTU Save Medicare campaign launch
CANBERRA The ACTU launched the ACT Save Medicare campaign on June 25. Held at the Canberra Hospital, the launch was attended by 30 people.
Federal Labor MP Bob McMullan said that as a result of the Howard government's undermining of Medicare, across the country people are spending $123 million more on doctors than in 1996.
Greens senator Kerry Nettle called for Medicare to be expanded to include dental and mental health services, and provide for universal bulk billing.
July 4 anti-war protest
SYDNEY A protest against the US occupation of Iraq will be held on July 4 American independence day. Protesters will assemble at 5.30pm and then march to the US consulate.
The protest is being supported by several local peace groups, the Sawiyan Coalition for Palestine, the Books Not Bombs student anti-war network, Socialist Alliance and the NSW Greens.
From Green Left Weekly, July 2, 2003.
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