BRISBANE — Thousands of injured Queensland workers are being denied a fair hearing because there is no right of appeal in the workers compensation system in this state, the Electoral and Administrative Review Commission says. EARC has recommended a major overhaul, including a right of appeal. Workers compensation self-help group coordinator Linda Ford commented that about 15,000 injured workers had complained about the medical tribunal system since 1987. Many injured workers felt they had been thrown on the scrap heap by the tribunals, did not have the capacity to work again and were without adequate compensation.
PERTH — After a very successful lunchtime speak-out in Forrest Place on September 18, Resistance will hold a public meeting on the 25th at which young people can turn up and say whatever they think about education, unemployment and any other issue affecting them. In the evening, a cultural dissent event is planned. For more information, ring 227 7367.
- About 100 people attended a function of the Democratic Movement of the Allende Left to commemorate the anniversary of the September 11, 1973, military coup in Chile. The night of cultural activity was to support Father Eugenio Pizarro, representing the Chilean Left as a candidate in the presidential elections in December.
- Five hundred university students rallied at Parliament House on September 16 to protest against Liberal MP Norman Moore's Voluntary Student Unionism (VSU) legislation. VSU will end automatic guild membership and force many guild services to close. Speakers included the guild presidents from Murdoch and Curtin, as well as WA Green MLC Jim Scott.