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Loose cannons

Money's the answer "We recognise that AIDS is a major problem, but weakening intellectual property rights is not the solution." — Alan Holmer, president of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers Association of America, opposing regulations

WEST TIMOR: Militia terror continues

The 100,000 East Timorese refugees in camps in West Timor face daily hardship and terror from the pro-integration militia gangs which control or are active in many of the 200 camps. The repatriation of refugees to East Timor has slowed considerably.

Life of Riley: Nothing but air

Nothing but air Psst! There's money to be made between us. Big money. Betwixt wherever thou art and me is air. It's colourless, normally odourless, weighs hardly anything and comes in such quantities that there's more than enough to go around

Canberra fiddles with more than the accounts

Canberra fiddles with more than the accounts BY JONATHAN SINGER In the days before the federal budget was presented on May 9, media commentators expressed concern that the federal government's 2000-01 budget surplus projection of $500 million —

Rebels in the unions: A unionism that won't buckle

BY MELANIE SJOBERG Manufacturing bosses, politicians of both Labor and Liberal stripes and right-wing media commentators are watching closely the current election inside the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU), which ends on May 19. And

Tax office workers strike

Tax office workers strike BY CHRIS SLEE MELBOURNE — Unionists at the Australian Taxation Office struck and picketed their offices on May 11 in support of a demand for a better agency agreement. The workers, mostly members of the Community and

Australia stalls anti-pollutants treaty

Few Australians heard about the March meeting in Bonn, Germany, at which a handful of delegates, led by those from the United States and Australia, brought negotiation of an international treaty to eliminate persistent organic pollutants (POPs) to a

Bondi protests Olympics impact

Bondi protests Olympics impact BY MARINA CARMAN AND ALISTAIR DICKINSON SYDNEY — Despite being described as a "sad turnout" of "rabble" in a vicious editorial in the Australian, a 200-strong action succeeded in delaying construction of the

Write on: Letters to the editor

Write on: Letters to the editor Johnny Coward John Howard is to be applauded for his stance on reconciliation. Not because an apology is not in order, nor because reconciliation with the traditional owners of this country is not an important

Let off for minister over Yanner affair

Let off for minister over Yanner affair BY BILL MASON BRISBANE — Queensland Premier Peter Beattie said on May 8 that he was taking no further action against mines and energy minister Tony McGrady for a letter the minister forwarded to the judge

Song for Reconciliation

Song for Reconciliation SYDNEY — "Songs get through to people's soul", Aboriginal singer Betty Little said, explaining why her music is a powerful tool for building bridges of understanding between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians.

Shiftworkers to gain on penalty rates

Shiftworkers to gain on penalty rates BY BILL MASON BRISBANE — Up to 200,000 Queensland shiftworkers stand to gain a wage rise following a historic union claim for afternoon and night penalties to override an "outdated" flat rate. At the end of