Packer protest trial
I have serious doubts about the results of the Packer protest trial ("Charges against Packer protesters dismissed", GLW #707). While I appreciate the support of the NSW Council of Civil Liberties (CCL), and the lawyers who represented us, to advise four of the seven defendants to "pleading guilty to something we didn't do" (Diane Fields) suggests that the government/courts/police are succeeding in intimidating not only people from protesting, but also civil-liberties lawyers from challenging the new anti-terror laws.
While the "misapplication of police resources and effort" (lawyers' report on the results on the trial), and"the injustice of suffering further expense and inconvenience in court" (Diane Fields), are pertinent concerns, both the charges, and the prosecution's pursuing of them, remain serious attack on civil liberties, free speech and the right to protest (Stephen Langford, Alex Bainbridge).
The CCL had initially saw the Packer trial as significant for the right to protest, believing such arrests "were unjustified, and a breach of the protester's implied constitutional right of freedom of political communication".
What a contrast with the Pine Gap Four, on trial soon for their "citizen's inspection" of that US military spy-base, who, in pleading "not guilty", say, "Our goal is not to stay out of prison. Our goal is to stay human".
One can only hope the CCL's recently formed right to protest subcommittee will address such issues as soon as possible. Otherwise, the police-state intimidation we saw at the (Sydney) Cheney protests may be even worse in September when Bush comes to Sydney for APEC.
Peter McGregor
Newcastle, NSW
Tactical misrepresentation?
I believe that Simon Cunich's article in GLW #709 regarding tactics for the APEC protests misrepresented the open letter put out by the group Mutiny. The sections quoted in the article made it seem as though Mutiny was opposed to any "peaceful" demonstration taking place. Here are some quotes from the letter which I think better represent their position.
"It's important to encourage large-scale defiance in which people can feel safe and brave whatever their level of involvement… However, insisting on the image of 'peaceful protest' only amplifies the wedge politics of the police and media..… [It plays] into media hysteria about 'violence' and false and dangerous dichotomies between 'good' and 'bad' protesters…
"[It] seems likely that, whatever the desire of the organisers, people will choose to attend the protest prepared for self-defence or other disobedient actions… If any groups were planning confrontational actions, it would of course be essential that they worked with respect alongside others so that those who did not want to be involved wouldn't be drawn in against their will…
"It's important to continue to improve communication, not shut it down… Our fear is … that a small group will attempt to define what is 'legitimate' for the entire protest rather than working to ensure mutual autonomy, safety and effectiveness."
Benjamen Standing
via email
Reforms and Labor
The federal government is trying to portray Rudd Labor as opposed to economic reform. However, voting or speaking against particular government initiatives does not make the ALP anti-reform. Most Coalition legislation passes parliament with Labor support. The ALP generally rejects those government proposals it regards as unfair. Often it is right. Opposing undesirable reforms is admirable.
First under Kim Beazley, and now under Kevin Rudd, Labor has issued several policy statements. Topics covered include education, training, productivity, health, industrial relations, infrastructure, broadband internet, the environment and energy.
Labor does have a reform agenda. And it can plausibly argue it is one that shows more concern for vulnerable Australians and long-term sustainability than the government's reform agenda.
Brent Howard
Rydalmere, NSW
Bullying
The PM in this election year says he's very concerned about violence at schools. The states and territories have been put on notice to crack down on bullying students or lose out during the next four-year funding deal. Meanwhile, the PM himself participates generously in the gentle art of bullying on the bigger stage.
A suitable target for bullying is Australia's Muslim cleric Sheik Taj Aldin Al Hilali. It simply won't do for him to call for moral support among the world's Muslimsy for Iran — an understandable call really in consideration of threats against it that reek of shameless double standards and hypocrisy from the world's biggest military bully, the US.
First, the PM led the bully gang chorus against him with a bit of choice verbal belittling and then the federal police were set on to him for a bit of intimidatory grilling under the 2005 tightened sedition laws.
It doesn't hurt either to hop into Zimbabwe's President Mugabe, whose excesses at least go no further than his own country's borders. And while you're at it, dictatorially cancel the national cricket tour there. Much better if the US played cricket and the team could tour there.
In such a scenario, the PM would probably tag along himself for part of the tour and arrange to meet up with his great friend. That his friend's massive military machine is set in motion around the world, bullying sovereign states and causing ruinous misery and mayhem where ever it imagines its interests are at risk, is acceptable bullying. Indeed the PM likes to help out if his friend asks him.
At home it doesn't hurt to get stuck into workers. And so employers are given licence through new industrial relations laws to bully Australian workers into accepting unfair work conditions.
As with his friendship with Bush, it always make sense to keep the servility going with other bullies who possess a bit of useful clout. So hats off to 2GB's Alan Jones, for example — inciter of ethnic hatred who encourager violence and brutality (as deemed by the Australian Communications and Media Authority).
On the heels of this finding, flatter him nonetheless and call him an outstanding broadcaster as the PM did. This way you can be sure of an easy time when you trot into his studio on the campaign trail. After all, it's an election year and Jones will be sure to agree that school bullying is simply not on.
Nigel Rogers
Mt Nelson, Tas
Heffernan
Many commentators have been unkind to Bill Heffernan for his out-of-date remarks. While that may appear on the surface to be justified, a closer examination reveals a side of Australian culture that actually promotes such outbursts. Bill is, after all, the end result of a mutually inclusive misogynist "holy" upbringing. He has merely put into words indoctrinatory messages of "procreate or join the priesthood" implanted in youth.
Many religious adherents cocooned by rural isolation or who live in an enclave social setting think along similar lines, even though not many tend to enunciate it publicly.
The fault of this faux pas lies at the feet of patriarchal religion not with those who are victims of its well-honed methods of brainwashing.
There is a message in this sorry saga if we would but accept it. Children should be taught about the historical relevance of religion, its divisive nature, its un-evidenced status, its harms and dangers. Specific religious childhood indoctrination with the threat of hell or the promise of heaven is mental child abuse.
The start of this re-education should be disbanding religious instruction and chaplaincy programs in state schools and cancelling government funding to private faith driven education.
David Nicholls
Maitland, SA