News briefs

Attack by Neo-Nazis

MELBOURNE — The house and car of anti-Nazi activists David Glanz and Judy McVey were attacked in the early hours of January 27. Swastikas were sprayed on the house and swastika and SS symbols on the car, which also had its windscreen and side window smashed. Glanz and McVey, leading members of the International Socialist Organisation, told Green Left that the attack was "clearly political". Glanz said that he had received a tip that his address and car registration had appeared in a National Action newsletter prior to Christmas. Glanz and McVey had also received unsolicited mail from National Action, including material supporting Australians Against Further immigration. On the same night, Barricade Bookshop suffered a graffiti attack. Members of the Barricade Bookshop collective are active in the Anti-Fascist Alliance (AFA), set up last year to monitor and counter racist and neo-nazi activity. A rally to oppose these attacks was held at Brunswick Town Hall on February 3. To contact AFA, write to PO Box 266, West Brunswick 3055.

Concern over police powers

BRISBANE — Both the Queensland Civil Liberties Council and the Criminal Justice Commission have expressed concerns about the lack of safeguards in the state government's package of increased police powers, rushed through cabinet on January 29. The changes include police power to: arrest without warrant for indictable offences; issue on-the-spot "notices to appear in court" without arrest or summons; demand name and address of suspected offenders or witnesses; order people to "move on". The last power has been used widely at Brisbane's South Bank to harass young Aborigines.