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Detention of asylum seekers 'inhuman and degrading'

BY SARAH STEPHEN "Offensive to human dignity — With these four words the UN human rights envoy, Justice Bhagwati, has encapsulated the moral vacuum at the heart of Australia's mandatory detention of refugees", wrote Howard Dick, an associate

No war on Iraq!

US President George Bush is preparing for a new war on Iraq using the pretext that Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein is threatening the world with “weapons of mass destruction”. Pentagon papers leaked on July 4 reveal plans for an assault on

Museworthy: The Birds' Necks

Museworthy: The Birds' Necks The birds' necks are as fatas a baby's thighsI know, I wring themWhen the birds are deadthey look very eternallying with their headsat the spirit's angleI place my lips to their feathersand feel their speechTheir

Mootwingee

Among the ancient rocks I pace,Scattered through the friendlyStringybarks, and gaping waterhole,Which feeds the parched red clay. And gazing on antipodean stone,I shield my eyes from glaringWinter, solstice sun. Then in a flash I am

Seafarers fight to save jobs

BY SHANE BENTLEY SYDNEY — Members of the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) are again protesting against shipping company attempts to reflag Australian crewed and flagged ships as "flag of convenience" vessels with exploited Third World crews.

Socialists launch Bankstown branch

BY NICK EVERETT SYDNEY — The branch of the Democratic Socialist Party previously located in Burwood has relocated to Sydney's south-west. A new Bankstown office was opened on July 26 with a toast to the Cuban revolution and a celebration of the

Turning our backs on Labor

BY CHRIS CAIN Many rank-and-file trade unionists, officials and others are now turning their backs on Labor, because they see that much of that party is no better than the Liberals. And I have to say quite honestly that they wouldn't be far wrong.

BRITAIN: Summer of discontent

BY NATASHA IZATT LONDON — On July 17, 750,000 local government workers across England, Wales and Northern Ireland went on strike in support of a pay increase. Between 70% and 80% of union members participated. Teachers aides, caretakers,

Loach exposes privatisation's pitfalls

The NavigatorsDirected by Ken LoachWritten by Rob DawberScreening in most major cities from August 8 REVIEW BY JANET BURSTALL Ken Loach's latest film, The Navigators, depicts the impact of privatisation on a group of former British Rail workers.