927

Uncertainty and confusion now surround the Apex/Ormil coal seam gas (CSG) project in the Illawarra. The project includes 16 CSG wells scattered across two Petroleum Exploration Licences (PELs). But according to the project’s conditions, drilling and operation of the wells must take place within three years and before the expiry of one of two relevant licences, unless the director-general of the planning department steps in.
Newman to axe 20,000 public servants Queensland Premier Campbell Newman said on June 20 that the state had 20,000 public sector staff it could not afford, based on a report by former federal treasurer Peter Costello. In this year’s election campaign, Newman promised there would be no public sector forced redundancies if he was elected.
The Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre released the statement below on June 21. * * * Michael Mansell today said the forest Bill introduced into the Tasmanian Parliament “is a straight betrayal of Aboriginal people”. Mansell said: “The Bill represents a rejection by the government and the Greens of the proposal put by Aborigines for ownership and management of the reserved areas. The Government talks of land rights, but talk is cheap.
Socialist Alternative members Vashti Kenway and Corey Oakley released the open letter below to Victorian Trades Hall on June 21. * * * Letter to Victorian Trades Hall re: cancellation of our room booking for Racism and Police Violence. We are writing to object in the strongest terms to the arbitrary cancellation of our room booking for a public meeting on the issue of “racism and police violence” on Thursday 21 June.
You can sign an online petition to the government of Ecuadorian president Rafael Correa in support of Julian Assange's extradition request. * * * To: Rafael Vicente Correa Delgado President of the Republic of Ecuador Ricardo Armando Patiño Aroca Minister of Foreign Relations, Republic of Ecuador CC: Raúl Gangotena Ambassador of the Republic of Ecuador in Australia Luis Felipe Valencia Consul General of the Republic of Ecuador in Australia
The Darwin Aboriginal Rights Coalition released the statement below on June 21. * * * Aboriginal people across the Northern Territory have spoken out against the Stronger Futures laws, which they say continue the discriminatory and racist laws launched with the NT intervention 5 years ago today.
The Australian Council of Trade Unions released the statement below on June 21. * * * Fairfax Media has breached its legal obligation to consult its workers, and failed to explain why it plans to sack thousands of workers, unions will tell a hearing in Fair Work Australia today.

The first Green Left Report features: Austin Mackell (independent journo in Egypt); Cassie Findlay (Support Assange & WikiLeaks Coalition); David Hicks; Carlo Sands; the Christmas Carol Crims; WikiLeaks advert + more!

About 1000 Queensland teachers rallied outside state parliament on June 20 to protest the Campbell Newman Liberal National Party government's "unacceptable" offer on pay and conditions in current enterprise bargaining talks. The government is proposing a 2.7% annual pay rise in return for cuts in rights and conditions.
The Socialist Alliance released the statement below on June 19. * * * Message of solidarity to anti-war and progressive movements opposing the Philippine-Australia Status of the Visiting Forces Agreement