Protests over Bougainville
Around 30 protesters picketed the AMP building, home of the mining giant CRA, in Brisbane on February 10. The protest, organised by the Bougainville Freedom Movement as part of a national day of action, aimed to highlight the role of CRA as an exploiter of Bougainville's environment and people.
CRA owns the Panguna copper mine in Bougainville. The mine was closed down by the Panguna landowners in 1989 because the PNG government and CRA refused to provide compensation for the environmental damage caused by the mine.
Another action is planned for February 14, when PNG Prime Minister Paias Wingti will be in Brisbane to meet with state cabinet ministers.
A loud and lively protest was held outside Parliament House in Canberra on February 9 for Wingti's arrival. Chanting "Shame, Australia, shame", the demonstrators emphasised Australian government support for Wingti's war against the people of Bougainville. Sean Kennan, an organiser of the protest, commented, "Gareth Evans said in relation to Bosnia that there's a special place in hell for those who kill women and children. Well, he has earned that place."
Faye Campbell, vice-president of the South Coast Labour Council, which recently placed bans on shipments to PNG, said, "There are people in this house [of parliament] who espouse to be left, but where are they? Shame on those people for not standing up for Bougainville."
Of all members of parliament, only WA Greens Senators Christabel Chamarette and Dee Margetts appeared at the rally. Both spoke briefly.
The rally also heard Moses Havini, international representative of the Bougainville Interim Government, human rights lawyer Rosemarie Gillespie and speakers from the ACT Trades and Labour Council, Democratic Socialist Party, International Socialist Organisation and other groups.
More than 50 people gathered outside Sydney's Regent Hotel on February 11 to protest against Wingti and the brutal war being waged against the people of Bougainville. Chanting "No blood for copper, no blood for profits", the spirited protest drew considerable attention from the PNG press and passers-by. Wingti was in Sydney to address a dinner organised by the Australian-PNG business council. Photo of the Sydney protest by Frank Enright.