Indonesian forum
SYDNEY — About 100 people attended a forum presented by the Indonesian Welfare Association here on October 16. Speakers from the NSW Rape Crisis Centre spoke of their visit to meet with volunteers working with the ethnic Chinese women survivors of rape in Indonesia.
Susan Pinkham, an indigenous woman, spoke of the similarities between the experiences of indigenous women in Australia and those of Chinese women in Indonesia. A short but very disturbing video was shown of the volunteer worker who was recently murdered.
A heated discussion ensued, most of the audience raising the genocidal nature of the attacks on Chinese women and the fact that the attacks were carried out by members of the armed forces.
Monash students suspended
Forty students were summarily suspended for two months and fined $300 each on October 21 for occupying the Monash University administration building.
The occupation was part of a campaign against cuts to the Monash arts faculty. Suspension at this time of year means that the students cannot sit their exams and may fail the semester. The students will be appealing the suspension.
Please send messages of support via Anna Barrett, NUS Victoria education officer, 2nd floor, 102 Victoria St, Carlton 3053. Letters of protest can be sent to David Robinson, vice-chancellor of Monash University, Wellington Rd, Clayton Vic 3168.
Kennett tries to sack another council
MELBOURNE — The Kennett government is attempting to sack the Nillumbark Shire Council after complaints from the council's unelected chief executive officer that "infighting" was hampering the council's effectiveness.
The government earlier this year sacked the Darebin council. It has drastically reduced the number of local councils and the powers they can exercise since 1994.
Councils are seen as a force for opposition to unpopular development projects.
MUA thanks supporters
BRISBANE — Around 180 people gathered at the Paddington Workers Club here on October 17 for A reception called by the MUA for national secretary John Coombs.
The gathering was held to express thanks to other unions, MUA families and the community for their support for the MUA struggle earlier this year.
Coombs acknowledged that many people criticised the deal between the MUA and Patrick on waterfront reform, saying that it was up to "each individual" to work out who had won.
In thanking the Labor Party and the ACTU's Greg Combet, Jennie George and Bill Kelty, Coombs said there was "A mountain of evidence to be used in a forthcoming parliamentary attack on the Coalition's conspiracy against the MUA".
Video exposes police violence
MELBOURNE — A magistrate on October 14 ordered the release of a damning video of a police attack on inmates at the Melbourne Custody Centre. Police had attempted to suppress the video.
The video revealed a violent police attack on Aboriginal and Islander inmates. Wearing rubber gloves and armed with batons, 12 cops attacked and seriously injured five inmates. More than 60 baton blows were shown to have been made in the space of a minute, including to inmates crawling on the ground attempting to escape the onslaught.
Legal and prisoners' rights organisations have argued that the excessive force shown in the video is evidence of the need for changes to the Melbourne Custody Centre.
Jabiluka fundraiser
MELBOURNE — Hundreds boogied at the Esplanade Hotel, St Kilda, on October 17 at a fundraiser for the campaign against the Jabiluka uranium mine. More than 30 bands performed at the all-day, until-midnight concert. The large crowd showed that, despite the end of the mine blockade, support for the campaign remains strong.