Kathy Newnan">
SYDNEY — People imprisoned in Villawood detention centre responded generously to the tsunami crisis, despite many having little money. Some have cash from their working days before they were detained. Together they raised $1650 for the relief funds.
Vietnamese asylum seekers held on Christmas Island for more than 18 months have raised the equivalent of $100 to help tsunami victims. Some of the 39 Vietnamese asylum seekers still detained on the island asked a compatriot in Melbourne, released on a temporary protection visa, to donate an amount equal to that gained in points though chores such as cleaning bathrooms.
Sarah Stephen & Frank Marrinan
Uncertainty for One Mile Dam community
DARWIN — The special purpose lease covering the One Mile Dam Community, an Aboriginal camp just outside the Darwin CBD, was relinquished in late 2004 by the Aboriginal Development Foundation, which has held the lease since it was granted in 1979.
This has been welcomed by residents at One Mile Dam due to the ADF's history of neglecting the community. In October 2004, the community's Kumbutjil Association passed a resolution of no confidence in the ADF and its executive director, Bernie Valadian.
The future of the lease, however, remains uncertain. Residents fear that the Northern Territory government may attempt to move the camp to make way for development in the area, once the nearby tank farm is relocated.
The government has failed to consult the Kumbutjil Association about the future of the special purpose lease they reside on.
According to community leader David Timber, the lease should be granted to the Kumbutjil Association. "We're the ones who are here, we know what we need", he told Green Left Weekly.
[For more information, or to lend your support, phone the Kumbutjil Association on (08) 8981 0587 or visit <http://www.onemiledam.org>.]
Kathy Newnam
Forest protesters arrested
MELBOURNE — On January 12, seven environmental activists were arrested after they blocked logging trucks in the Ellery Creek Forest in East Gippsland.
Protesters erected a structure on the access road and attached a 30-metre-high platform to logging machinery to halt logging work. The previous day, 60 conservationists blocked old-growth logging work.
"These actions draw attention to the fact that the current government is still not listening to the people", Billy Dain, spokesperson for the Goongerah Environment Centre said on January 12. "It's time for Premier Steve Bracks to end all old-growth logging immediately."
Ellery contains wet old-growth forest and rainforest. While the Bracks Labor government announced a 43% reduction in saw log allocations, nothing has been done to permanently protect the remaining old-growth forest.
Selena Black
From Green Left Weekly, January 19, 2005.
Visit the Green Left Weekly home page.