News

Optimistic plans set by DSP congress

Optimistic plans set by DSP congress By Margaret Allum SYDNEY — Indonesian political prisoners Budiman Sujatmiko and Dita Sari from the People's Democratic Party (PRD) were honorary members of the presidium of the 18th congress of the

Emergency call centre cuts

Emergency call centre cuts By Bill Mason BRISBANE — Telstra has been widely criticised over moves to close its 000 emergency call centre at Ipswich and divert all crisis calls to Sydney and Melbourne. The closure, planned for April, will cost

Casino workers continue campaign

Casino workers continue campaign By Bronwen Beechey ADELAIDE — Workers at the Adelaide Casino are continuing their campaign for a collective workplace agreement, despite harassment and intimidation from management. The workers, members of the

Gas commission highlights safety problems

Gas commission highlights safety problems By Chris Spindler MELBOURNE — Witnesses at the royal commission to investigate the Longford gas disaster, in which two workers were killed and eight injured, have reported maintenance delays, poor

Brisbane River 'a sewer pipe'

Brisbane River 'a sewer pipe' By Bill Mason BRISBANE — The Brisbane River, and the Bremer River flowing into it from Ipswich, have become "sewer pipes", funnelling pollution, effluent and sediment into Moreton Bay, a report has revealed. The

SA Liberal government embarrassed into getting tough

By Melanie Sjoberg ADELAIDE — Premier John Olsen and the state Liberal government are squirming with embarrassment over their handling of state public sector workers' wages and conditions in recent weeks. Prior to the end of the 1998 school year,

Resistance condemns racist jailings

Resistance condemns racist jailings By Andy Gianniotis BRISBANE — Resistance, the socialist youth group, has spoken out against the jailing of a 14-year-old Aboriginal woman in the Mackay watch-house. The woman is the sister of an 11-year-old

Activists create 'JAILS'

Activists create 'JAILS' By Jim Green In 1998, about 500 people were arrested at the Jabiluka uranium mine blockade in the Northern Territory. Many are to face court in coming months. JAILS (Jabiluka Arrestees Information and Legal Support) has

Hotel approved despite protests

Hotel approved despite protests By Justin Randell WOLLONGONG — The controversial $25 million Cliff Road hotel is one step closer to reality after Wollongong Council voted to approve the development application on November 30. The application

ERA denies Jabiluka postponement rumours

ERA denies Jabiluka postponement rumours By Justin Randell Rumours that the Jabiluka mine has been postponed have been denied by Energy Resources of Australia. The rumours originated from a press conference for resource journalists in which ERA

Australia asked to 'please explain'

Australia asked to 'please explain' By Kim Bullimore Australia will be the first western country asked to "please explain" its policies on race to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD). Australia, a

Mass picket supports locked-out workers

Mass picket supports locked-out workers By Michael Bull MELBOURNE — More than 600 people heeded a call to attend the picket line at the Australian Dyeing Company (ADC) on January 13. The ranks of the picket again swelled by more than 50 people