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How the Big Australian destroyed a river system

BHP's annual general meeting on September 26 was disrupted by protests against environmental destruction by the company's Ok Tedi mine in Papua New Guinea.

Dealing with the devil

The Last BattleBy John PilgerABC TVThursday, October 12, 8.30pm (8 SA)Previewed by Allen Myers This documentary was made for the 20th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War in April, and it contains a good dose of the real history of the war —

Bloody history behind Indonesian literary debate

By Max Lane In Indonesia during June and July, polemics raged between supporters and opponents of the country's most famous and widely read novelist, Pramoedya Ananta Toer. The polemic was sparked by the announcement that the Philippines-based

On the box

Actively Radical TV — Community television's progressive current affairs program tackles the hard issues from the activist's point of view. CTS Sydney (UHF 31), every Friday, 10.30pm, and Saturday, 2.30am. Programs of interest on Sydney

Spicy gumbo drowned in treacle

AfterglowDr JohnBlue Thumb Records through GRP/MCAReviewed by Norm Dixon Dr John, born Malcolm John Rebennack Jr in 1941, personifies the musical and cultural treasure trove that is New Orleans. The unique melting pot of disparate influences —

ACTU congress finds no answer to dwindling membership

By Sue Bolton MELBOURNE — The new president of the Australian Council of Trade Unions, Jennie George, told delegates to the congress held here September 27-29 that one of the main challenges she would be confronting would be reversing the

Eastlink vote threat

By Bill Mason BRISBANE — Protesters against the Eastlink power project vowed to launch a South-East Tollway-style campaign against the federal ALP government after talks with the state government broke down on September 19. They promised to

Gay-bashing 'epidemic' in Qld

By Bill Mason BRISBANE — An "epidemic of gay-bashing" has hit Queensland, but many homosexuals are afraid to report assaults, a crime conference was told on September 28. Nick Ward, spokesperson for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender

The origins of the CPA

By John Percy On October 30, 1920, the Communist Party of Australia was founded at a meeting in Sydney attended by 26 men and women. They represented the most radical of the small socialist groups, militant trade union activists and officials

Fight back against ACT budget cuts

By Tony Iltis and Sue Bull CANBERRA — A fightback against the ACT Carnell minority Liberal government's budget cuts is heating up. There have been several disputes, protests and rallies and public service workers may soon apply bans on the

News briefs

Bass Strait dispute continues MELBOURNE — Despite Esso's peace overtures to Bass Strait oil rig workers, agreeing to re-implement pre-dispute conditions and standards and even to pay an outstanding 8% pay rise, P&O remains adamant that the night

Victory for rope workers

By Geoff Spencer MELBOURNE — After 11 days of 24-hour picketing, workers at the Geelong factory of rope manufacturer Kinnears Pty Ltd have won a victory. Most of the 80 workers were earning $8.97 an hour, with a small bonus on top of that.