Feb 23, 2010
AUDIO A Brief History of Haiti
Feb 22, 2010
Change the system, not the climate — the case for rebellion and revolution--- and more from the latest GLW...
In This Issue...Change the system, not the climate — the case for rebellion and revolution
Feeling powerless is common in today's world.
Abolish anti-gay laws: marriage rights for all
Queer rights activists across Australia are gearing up for an important year of action on equal marriage rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people.
Pro-Palestinian activist: arrested for standing up for justice
Bridget Chappell, an Australian solidarity activist, was arrested along with Spanish activist Ariadna Jove Marti in a pre-dawn raid on February 7 in Ramallah, Palestine.
Roofs are burning: Garrett's green loans fiasco
The ALP government's environmental credentials have suffered a second meltdown in as many weeks.
'It's about racism and human rights'
Alyawarr elder Richard Downs spoke at the Prescribed Area People's Alliance (PAPA) meeting in Alice Springs on February 12. Downs is a leader of the walkoff protest against the NT intervention at Ampilatwatja.
Gov't reps evicted from protest camp
The article below is by Richard Downs, who is the spokesperson the Ampilatwatja walk-off against the Northern Territory intervention.
Venezuela's revolution faces crucial battles
Decisive battles between the forces of revolution and counter-revolution loom on the horizon in Venezuela.
Climate science and the IPCC: Time to change the model?
The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is an organisation whose time has passed. It needs to be dismantled.
Report urges expanded public transport
The Sydney Morning Herald-sponsored "Independent Public Inquiry" into Sydney's public transport released its preliminary report on February 13. The report outlined a 30-year strategy to massively improve Sydney's public transport infrastructure.
Socialist Alliance: Put real change on the agenda
Green Left Weekly spoke to Socialist Alliance national convener Peter Boyle about the political dynamics of the coming federal election and asked him what sort of campaign the Alliance was intending to run.
Green Left Weekly fighting fund: Confronting the right wing
You may have seen the photo in last week's Green Left Weekly of the right-wing "Tea Party" movement supporter in Washington DC. The placard he was holding said, in reference to President Barack Obama, "Impeach the Muslim Marxist". The article discussed the rise of right-wing politics in the US.
Afghanistan: Bloody war drags on
On February 13, 15,000 occupying troops from the US, Canada, Britain, Denmark, Estonia and the Afghan puppet state launched the Operation Moshtarak military offensive on Helmand province.
The corporatisation of Mardi Gras
The modern queer rights movement was born on June 28, 1969 in New York City.
Noam Chomsky: The US corporate takeover
January 21, 2010, will go down as a dark day in the history of US democracy, and its decline.
Venezuela: Mass student protest for Chavez
Tens of thousands of students rallied on February 12 in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, in a show of support for President Hugo Chavez and the Bolivarian revolution.
Canada: Thousands protest Olympics opening
Five thousand people took to the streets of Vancouver on February 12 to protest the opening of the corporate spectacle known as the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.
Greece: Crisis, resistance and challenges for the left
"Got any thoughts on the bomb?" I asked breathlessly down the phone to a veteran Athens politics-watcher.
Should unions leave Labor?
Congratulations to Victorian Electrical Trades Union secretary Dean Mighell for his frank comment in the February 11 Age ("Unions must leave Labor").
'Be proud and don't let anyone take that away'
Elaine Peckham is a Central Arrernte woman who lives on homelands in the West MacDonnell Ranges. She spoke at the Prescribed Area People's Alliance meeting in Alice Springs on February 12. The speech below is abridged from text prepared by the Intervention Rollback Action Group rollbacktheintervention.wordpress.com.
Haiti: Thousands protest Sarkozy, for Aristide
Thousands of supporters of ousted Haitian president Jean-Bertrand Aristide took to the streets on February 17 as French President Nicolas Sarkozy toured the earthquake-ravaged capital of Port au Prince.
Bolivia: 'People's Summit' to challenge rich nations on climate
Bolivia's foreign minister David Choquehuanca said on February 8 that Bolivia is very concerned about the inadequacy of the greenhouse gas reduction commitments made by developed countries in the Copenhagen Accord at the United Nations climate summit in December, PWCCC.wordpress.com said.
Colombia solidarity activists harassed
The following is abridged from an article by Peace and Justice for Colombia.
Appeal: help get GLW out bush
Green Left Weekly has a long and proud tradition of covering the many struggles for justice waged by Aboriginal people and their supporters.
Buyer beware?
A report issued by the Clean Energy Council (CEC) said up to 2000 households who took advantage of the government's solar rebate scheme may be at risk of electrical fires due to poorly installed rooftop panels.
Climate action summit to meet in Canberra
Hundreds of grassroots climate activists will meet in Canberra from March 13-15 to attend the second Climate Action Summit. It will build on the success of the first summit, which occurred in January 2009 and attracted more than 500 people, representing about 150 climate action groups.
Five jailed for thought-crimes
On February 15, five men — Mohamed Ali Elomar, Khaled Cheikho, Moustafa Cheikho, Abdul Rakib Hasan and Mohammed Omar Jamal — who were convicted in October under "anti-terror" laws, were each sentenced in Parramatta court to between 23 and 28 years in jail. The shortest non-parole period was set at 17 years and three months.
Germany: Protesters stop neo-Nazi march
On February 13, a neo-Nazi march through the German city of Dresden was prevented when more than 15,000 locals braved freezing temperatures to oppose them.
Hundreds celebrate Alistair Hulett's life
A memorial for left-wing musician Alistair Hulett was held on February 14 at Sydney's Gaelic Club.
Letter to minister against interrogation of Colombian solidarity activist
The following letter was sent to federal home affairs minister Brendan O'Connor.
Palestine: Anti-wall protesters score win
On February 12, residents of the Palestinian village of Bilin attracted global attention by protesting dressed as blue, pointy-eared and tailed Na'vi from the blockbuster movie Avatar. Like the fictional Na'vi, the Bilin villagers are resisting occupation by a brutal military machine in the pay of corporate interests.
Pauline Hanson to become a migrant
When the anti-immigration politician Pauline Hanson was asked if she was a xenophobe in a 1996 interview on Sixty Minutes, she famously responded: "please explain". Now, with the news that she intends to become an immigrant herself, it seems she doesn't understand the word "hypocrite" either.
Refugees blamed for navy errors
Three Afghan refugees in Australia face possible charges over the explosion onboard a fishing boat off Ashmore Reef last April. Five were killed in the explosion and many more injured.
Royal Commission needed into TJ's death
"The law is an ass", said Mr Bumble, in Charles Dickens' classic, Oliver Twist. And over 300 people agreed as they rallied yesterday on the same site, six years to the day, where 17-year old Aboriginal boy, TJ Hickey, was impaled on fence in Waterloo.
Ruby Hunter 1955-2010
Aboriginal singer-song writer Ruby Hunter passed away on February 17. Her music dealt with her personal history, Indigenous struggles, and social and women's issues.
Star City workers struggle continues
The struggle for wage justice by workers at the Star City Casino in Sydney continued with strikes on February 11 and Chinese New Year (February 14).
Tahmoor picket over safety and job security continues
The picket line outside Xstrata Coal's Tahmoor colliery is continuing. It marks a continuation of the Construction Forestry Mining Energy Union's (CFMEU) 17-month struggle to negotiate an Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA) with Xstrata.
Teacher activists elected to union council
On February 13, NSW Teachers Federation (NSWTF) councillors elected two new left candidates to the executive of the union at the first NSWTF Council of the year.
Transition Decade launched
More than 1200 people attended a mass public meeting at Melbourne Town Hall on February 14 to launch the Transition Decade (T10)
US soldier charged over protest song
US soldier charged over protest song
Marc Hall — a US soldier at Fort Stewart and hip hop artist — is to be whisked off to Iraq for a military court martial, out of reach of the public eye and his own civilian defence lawyers.
US student strike planned against cuts
The following call for a national strike and day of action in defence of public education was released by the California Coordinating Committee.
Venezuela: Nationalised supermarkets guarantee fair prices
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has inaugurated new government-run hypermarkets (large supermarkets), which replace of the recently nationalised Exito hypermarket chain.
We kid you not
Activists protest Afghanistan occupation
MELBOURNE — On February 16 a group of peace activists held a vigil outside the Melbourne office of federal finance minister Lindsay Tanner. The protest was the first in a series of monthly vigils aimed at drawing attention to the worsening situation in Afghanistan and to call for the Australian government to bring the troops home.
Gaza Freedom March activists speak
SYDNEY — Six Gaza Freedom March activists presented a moving account of their experiences of trying to get into Gaza late last year at a Stop the War Coalition public meeting on February 15.
Haiti solidarity in Newcastle
NEWCASTLE – Forty-five people attended a fundraiser for the Haitian Emergency Fund on February 10. The Haitian Emergency Fund is a grassroots organisation in Haiti made up of unions, women's groups, and human rights activists. The lively crowd heard Caribbean music and a presentation by Stuart Munckton, an editor of Green Left Weekly.
Rally marks Redfern death
MELBOURNE — Eighty people rallied on the morning of February 14 to commemorate the 2004 death of Redfern teenager TJ Hickey and demand an end to Aboriginal deaths in custody. The crowd observed a minute's silence in memory of TJ, who was killed while being chased by police. It also expressed its support for TJ's mother, Gail Hickey, who has lodged a complaint with the United Nations Human Rights Committee.
Resistance in 'sign war' with MP
Newcastle Resistance branch has entered a "sign war" against federal Labor MP Sharon Grierson.
Why I joined Resistance
Why internet censorship is wrong
The internet protest group Anonymous launched a cyber-attack to protest the Australian government's proposed "clean-feed" internet filter on February 10. A number of government websites temporarily became host to pornographic images.
Young people can stop the climate crisis
Resistance activist Melanie Barnes is standing as a candidate in the upcoming Tasmanian state elections for the Socialist Alliance. She isn't running to improve her career prospects or income, but because she wants to get an important message out.
Lillian Roxon: The mother — and more — of rock
Mother of Rock: The Lillian Roxon StoryBy Robert MillikenBlack Inc., 2010360 pp., $27.95 pb.
Power, anger, humour — Fiona Foley confronts racism
Fiona Foley: Forbidden University of Queensland Art Museum, Brisbane. Showing February 19-May 2
Scream against the Armenian genocide
ScreamersDirected by Carla Garapedian, featuring music by System of a DownVia Vision Entertainment, DVD95 minutes, $24.95
Second assassination of Trotsky
Trotsky: A Biography By Robert Service, Pan Macmillan, 2009 624 pages, $59.95 hb
Feb 19, 2010
Abbott's 'green' fraud: a gift to polluters--- and more from the latest GLW...
Green Left Weekly is Australia's largest circulating progressive newspaper and is the best place to get all the latest news and views on important issues and struggles here and around the world. Make sure you don't miss out - take out an esubscription now and get the index delivered straight to your inbox each week, or you can have the hard copy sent to your home. For details visit GLW on line or phone 1800 634 206. Support the independent media - subscribe or donate today! www.greenleft.org.auIn This Issue...
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Abbott's 'green' fraud: a gift to polluters
How to sum up the Liberal Party's "direct action" scheme to tackle global warming? Well, how about: a fraud wrapped in demagogy inside a delusion?
NT protest house: union solidarity with Aboriginal struggle
From February 1-14, in a remote part of the Northern Territory, a group of trade unionists and Aboriginal rights activists from Victoria, New South Wales and the NT joined forces with the Alyawarr people from Ampilatwatja community to help make history.
Afghanistan's secret jails
It was November 19, 2009, at 3:15am.
Haiti's misery: good news for big business
There has been much ink spilled in the corporate press about the number of dollars and soldiers being committed to Haiti by "the international community", but as a January 20 US ABC News headline bluntly put it: "In rebuilding Haiti, opportunity knocks and companies profit."
A brilliant showcase of solidarity
In October, when Ampilatwatja walk-off spokesperson Richard Downs toured the eastern states with Yuendumu elder Uncle Harry Nelson, they explained how their protest camp would demonstrate that Aboriginal people running their own affairs could build the type of sustainable community that the Northern Territory intervention, like past assimilationist and paternalistic policies, had failed to deliver.
Major parties' empty climate rhetoric
A Nielsen poll published in the February 8 Sydney Morning Herald showed a sharp drop of support for Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's key climate change policy, the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS).
US report targets Venezuela
US National Director of Intelligence Admiral Dennis Blair presented the "annual threat assessment" before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence on February 2
Green Left Weekly fighting fund: Spend money on people's needs not war
United States President — and Nobel Peace Laureate — Barack Obama will spend nearly US$1 trillion on war this year.
United States: Obama forgets Black community
What I found most striking about President Barack Obama's first "State of the Union" address before Congress on January 27 was what he didn't say.
Change needed in Tasmania
The spectre of the locally powerful woodchipping corporation Gunns and its relationship with the government hangs over the impending state election like a murky cloud. This is despite construction of Gunns' proposed pulp mill remaining stalled, due to public pressure and its inability to raise finance.
Refugees under stress at Christmas Island, Merak boat
The stress on Afghan and Tamil refugees waiting for their asylum claims to be processed in the Christmas Island Detention Centre is taking its toll.
New migration policy for bosses, not people
The federal government has announced a major overhaul of the permanent residency skilled migration program and scrapped the current eligibility list of more than 100 occupations.
The Venezuelan people: masters of revolution
Inside the Revolution: A Journey into the Heart of Venezuela Directed by Pablo Navarrete
Socialist councillor: stop attacks on public sector
Socialist councillor Sam Wainwright has called on Fremantle residents to support a March 11 rally against the state government's attacks on the public sector.
Firefighters warn of climate risk
February 7, 2009, Black Saturday: you're glued to your TV watching an inferno devour Victoria's bushland, terrified that in a country like Australia, such a fire could have happened anywhere.
Obama visit sparks protest organising
Anti-war and democratic rights activists are organising protests for US President Barack Obama's upcoming visit
United States: Super Bowl ad hypocrisy
In our 5000-channel, Tweeting, shouting culture of constant distraction, there are precious few annual events that unite the US national gaze. In fact, there is really only one: the Super Bowl.
Shock expose: socialists oppose climate change
Andrew Bolt of Melbourne's Herald Sun published a mind-blowing scoop on his blog on February 6: there are socialists in the movement against climate change.
Australia breaches Burma arms embargo
The statement published below was released by Burma Campaign Australia on February 9.
Burma: Regional left support for workers' struggles
The statement published below has been signed by the Working People's Association (Indonesia); Confederation Congress of Indonesia Union Alliance; the Singapore Democratic Party; the Socialist Party of Malaysia; Socialist Alternative (Australia); Socialist Alliance (Australia); and Socialist Worker New Zealand. If your organisation wants to sign this joint statement, email international@prp-indonesia.org.
Chile: Voters disillusioned as right takes power
After holding power in Chile since the end of Pinochet's military dictatorship in 1988, the social democratic coalition Concertacion lost power to the right wing Alianza coalition in the December and January elections.
Gaza one year on: look into my eyes
On the January 18, 2009, Israel pulled its troops out of the Gaza Strip leaving many Palestinians with tremendous losses. Israel's war on Gaza, known as Operation Cast Lead had begun on December 27. The vicious attack killed 1417 people, wounding 5303 and leaving many thousands homeless, widowed and orphaned. To add pain to misery, many women who were pregnant at the time gave birth to defected children due to inhaling white phosphorous. One year after the attack, after its was confirmed by the United Nations Goldstone report, the Israeli government finally admitted that white phosphorous was used during its war on Gaza.
Iran: More US nuclear scaremongering
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton engaged in some fearmongering on Iran on the February 7 edition of CNN's State of the Union.
Pakistani students organise for democracy
During the 1960s, radical student movements broke out in countries across the world. Unlike in Europe, North America or Australia, Pakistan's student movement proved strong enough to overthrow a government.
Unemployment falls, underemployment grows
New figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics said unemployment had fallen in January by 22,300 to 612,000 — a drop of 0.2% to 5.3%. The ABS, which released its unemployment figures on February 11, estimated that 52,700 jobs were created in January.
Belgium: Brewery workers take on bosses
For two weeks in January, Belgian brewery workers blocked roads, set fire to beer crates, kidnapped managers and handed out free beer in protest against job cuts proposed by Anheuser-Busch InBev, the world's largest brewer.
Copenhagen: was China the problem?
The December 7-18 United Nations climate conference in Copenhagen was supposed to "seal a global deal" to tackle climate change. It failed miserably.
Forum defends abortion rights
Forty-five people attended a Womens Action Abortion Coalition (WAAC) forum on February 6. They discussed the need to reanimate the campaign for women's right to control their own fertility, in the wake of the charging of a Cairns couple in April 2009 for using the abortifacient, RU486.
Macklin's cynical Aboriginal policy
Minister for Aboriginal affairs Jenny Macklin will move in March to restore the Racial Discrimination Act (RDA) in the Northern Territory. But the move has been described by Aboriginal advocates as a cynical ploy.
Oppose Barnett's stop and search powers
Western Australia Liberal premier Colin Barnett wants to introduce draconian legislation which will give police more power. A wide spectrum of critics agree the proposed new powers are unprecedented in most of the Western world, would be grossly intrusive and would disproportionately penalise the most marginalised groups.
Sri Lankan regime targets opponents
Further evidence of the authoritarianism of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa's regime came with the February 8 arrest of former general Sarath Fonseka, who had stood against Rajapaksa in the January 26 presidential elections.
TAFE teachers fight for quality education
More than 2500 TAFE teachers filled Sydney Town Hall on February 11 during a 24-hour strike. The action was in response to New South Wales government attacks on TAFE teachers and the delivery of quality education.
The art of injustice
In a hot, leaky, corrugated tin shed behind Redfern's disused railway yards lie the embers of a smouldering story of injustice. As an Aboriginal artist, 69 year-old Gordon Syron knows about injustice. He's seen systemic apartheid, legal bias and abuse of Aboriginal people all his life.
Unions want wage rise for low-paid
When minimum wage negotiations begin in March, the Australian Council of Trade Unions will push for a rise of $30-$40 a week. The current minimum wage is $543.78 a week, or $14.31 an hour.
United States: Band protests military use of song
US rock group the White Stripes has protested at what it says is the unauthorised use of an instrumental version of its song "Fell in Love With a Girl" in a recruiting ad for the US military, the New York Times said on February 9.
United States: Is the right on the rise?
In a rambling 40-minute speech crafted to appeal to every Fox News devotee in the room, former Alaska governor and 2008 Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin told the February 6 National Tea Party convention held in Nashville, Tennessee that the US was "ready for another revolution".
Venezuela: Mass march celebrates revolution
Dwarfing recent opposition protests, more than 100,000 supporters of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez marched in Caracas on February 4 in defence of the government and to celebrate 18 years since Chavez led a failed civilian-military uprising against a corrupt government in 1992.
Winners and losers in transport pork barrel
On February 1, NSW premier Kristina Keneally announced changes to public transport fares and ticketing at a Parramatta railway station press conference.
Xstrata locks out coalminers
More than 200 coal miners in Tahmoor, southwest of Sydney, were locked out with no pay, on February
Anti-intervention book launched
On February 9, around 70 people attended the book launch of Will They be Heard.
'Stop the intervention' protests
Union demands workers' safety
The Construction Forestry Mining Energy Union has criticised the federal government's cavalier disregard for workplace safety in the operation of its home insulation scheme, calling for it to be tightly regulated. It also hit out at the Coalition for "posturing", saying it did nothing for workers' safety when it was in power.
WA government undermines eco-festival
PERTH — The Sun Fair, an annual sustainability festival and information exchange, has been hit with a huge budget blow from the WA state government. The fair, which attracted 15,000 people last year and expects 17,000 on March 28, has been denied funding by the WA Office of Energy (OOE).
Write on: Letter to the editor
Young people under attack
"Governments making new laws all of the time Try to tell 'em that being young's not a crime" — Area 7
A polemic against lipstick feminism
One Dimensional Woman By Nina Power, Zero Books, 2009, 81 pp., $22.95
How to sum up the Liberal Party's "direct action" scheme to tackle global warming? Well, how about: a fraud wrapped in demagogy inside a delusion?
NT protest house: union solidarity with Aboriginal struggle
From February 1-14, in a remote part of the Northern Territory, a group of trade unionists and Aboriginal rights activists from Victoria, New South Wales and the NT joined forces with the Alyawarr people from Ampilatwatja community to help make history.
Afghanistan's secret jails
It was November 19, 2009, at 3:15am.
Haiti's misery: good news for big business
There has been much ink spilled in the corporate press about the number of dollars and soldiers being committed to Haiti by "the international community", but as a January 20 US ABC News headline bluntly put it: "In rebuilding Haiti, opportunity knocks and companies profit."
A brilliant showcase of solidarity
In October, when Ampilatwatja walk-off spokesperson Richard Downs toured the eastern states with Yuendumu elder Uncle Harry Nelson, they explained how their protest camp would demonstrate that Aboriginal people running their own affairs could build the type of sustainable community that the Northern Territory intervention, like past assimilationist and paternalistic policies, had failed to deliver.
Major parties' empty climate rhetoric
A Nielsen poll published in the February 8 Sydney Morning Herald showed a sharp drop of support for Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's key climate change policy, the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS).
US report targets Venezuela
US National Director of Intelligence Admiral Dennis Blair presented the "annual threat assessment" before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence on February 2
Green Left Weekly fighting fund: Spend money on people's needs not war
United States President — and Nobel Peace Laureate — Barack Obama will spend nearly US$1 trillion on war this year.
United States: Obama forgets Black community
What I found most striking about President Barack Obama's first "State of the Union" address before Congress on January 27 was what he didn't say.
Change needed in Tasmania
The spectre of the locally powerful woodchipping corporation Gunns and its relationship with the government hangs over the impending state election like a murky cloud. This is despite construction of Gunns' proposed pulp mill remaining stalled, due to public pressure and its inability to raise finance.
Refugees under stress at Christmas Island, Merak boat
The stress on Afghan and Tamil refugees waiting for their asylum claims to be processed in the Christmas Island Detention Centre is taking its toll.
New migration policy for bosses, not people
The federal government has announced a major overhaul of the permanent residency skilled migration program and scrapped the current eligibility list of more than 100 occupations.
The Venezuelan people: masters of revolution
Inside the Revolution: A Journey into the Heart of Venezuela Directed by Pablo Navarrete
Socialist councillor: stop attacks on public sector
Socialist councillor Sam Wainwright has called on Fremantle residents to support a March 11 rally against the state government's attacks on the public sector.
Firefighters warn of climate risk
February 7, 2009, Black Saturday: you're glued to your TV watching an inferno devour Victoria's bushland, terrified that in a country like Australia, such a fire could have happened anywhere.
Obama visit sparks protest organising
Anti-war and democratic rights activists are organising protests for US President Barack Obama's upcoming visit
United States: Super Bowl ad hypocrisy
In our 5000-channel, Tweeting, shouting culture of constant distraction, there are precious few annual events that unite the US national gaze. In fact, there is really only one: the Super Bowl.
Shock expose: socialists oppose climate change
Andrew Bolt of Melbourne's Herald Sun published a mind-blowing scoop on his blog on February 6: there are socialists in the movement against climate change.
Australia breaches Burma arms embargo
The statement published below was released by Burma Campaign Australia on February 9.
Burma: Regional left support for workers' struggles
The statement published below has been signed by the Working People's Association (Indonesia); Confederation Congress of Indonesia Union Alliance; the Singapore Democratic Party; the Socialist Party of Malaysia; Socialist Alternative (Australia); Socialist Alliance (Australia); and Socialist Worker New Zealand. If your organisation wants to sign this joint statement, email international@prp-indonesia.org.
Chile: Voters disillusioned as right takes power
After holding power in Chile since the end of Pinochet's military dictatorship in 1988, the social democratic coalition Concertacion lost power to the right wing Alianza coalition in the December and January elections.
Gaza one year on: look into my eyes
On the January 18, 2009, Israel pulled its troops out of the Gaza Strip leaving many Palestinians with tremendous losses. Israel's war on Gaza, known as Operation Cast Lead had begun on December 27. The vicious attack killed 1417 people, wounding 5303 and leaving many thousands homeless, widowed and orphaned. To add pain to misery, many women who were pregnant at the time gave birth to defected children due to inhaling white phosphorous. One year after the attack, after its was confirmed by the United Nations Goldstone report, the Israeli government finally admitted that white phosphorous was used during its war on Gaza.
Iran: More US nuclear scaremongering
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton engaged in some fearmongering on Iran on the February 7 edition of CNN's State of the Union.
Pakistani students organise for democracy
During the 1960s, radical student movements broke out in countries across the world. Unlike in Europe, North America or Australia, Pakistan's student movement proved strong enough to overthrow a government.
Unemployment falls, underemployment grows
New figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics said unemployment had fallen in January by 22,300 to 612,000 — a drop of 0.2% to 5.3%. The ABS, which released its unemployment figures on February 11, estimated that 52,700 jobs were created in January.
Belgium: Brewery workers take on bosses
For two weeks in January, Belgian brewery workers blocked roads, set fire to beer crates, kidnapped managers and handed out free beer in protest against job cuts proposed by Anheuser-Busch InBev, the world's largest brewer.
Copenhagen: was China the problem?
The December 7-18 United Nations climate conference in Copenhagen was supposed to "seal a global deal" to tackle climate change. It failed miserably.
Forum defends abortion rights
Forty-five people attended a Womens Action Abortion Coalition (WAAC) forum on February 6. They discussed the need to reanimate the campaign for women's right to control their own fertility, in the wake of the charging of a Cairns couple in April 2009 for using the abortifacient, RU486.
Macklin's cynical Aboriginal policy
Minister for Aboriginal affairs Jenny Macklin will move in March to restore the Racial Discrimination Act (RDA) in the Northern Territory. But the move has been described by Aboriginal advocates as a cynical ploy.
Oppose Barnett's stop and search powers
Western Australia Liberal premier Colin Barnett wants to introduce draconian legislation which will give police more power. A wide spectrum of critics agree the proposed new powers are unprecedented in most of the Western world, would be grossly intrusive and would disproportionately penalise the most marginalised groups.
Sri Lankan regime targets opponents
Further evidence of the authoritarianism of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa's regime came with the February 8 arrest of former general Sarath Fonseka, who had stood against Rajapaksa in the January 26 presidential elections.
TAFE teachers fight for quality education
More than 2500 TAFE teachers filled Sydney Town Hall on February 11 during a 24-hour strike. The action was in response to New South Wales government attacks on TAFE teachers and the delivery of quality education.
The art of injustice
In a hot, leaky, corrugated tin shed behind Redfern's disused railway yards lie the embers of a smouldering story of injustice. As an Aboriginal artist, 69 year-old Gordon Syron knows about injustice. He's seen systemic apartheid, legal bias and abuse of Aboriginal people all his life.
Unions want wage rise for low-paid
When minimum wage negotiations begin in March, the Australian Council of Trade Unions will push for a rise of $30-$40 a week. The current minimum wage is $543.78 a week, or $14.31 an hour.
United States: Band protests military use of song
US rock group the White Stripes has protested at what it says is the unauthorised use of an instrumental version of its song "Fell in Love With a Girl" in a recruiting ad for the US military, the New York Times said on February 9.
United States: Is the right on the rise?
In a rambling 40-minute speech crafted to appeal to every Fox News devotee in the room, former Alaska governor and 2008 Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin told the February 6 National Tea Party convention held in Nashville, Tennessee that the US was "ready for another revolution".
Venezuela: Mass march celebrates revolution
Dwarfing recent opposition protests, more than 100,000 supporters of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez marched in Caracas on February 4 in defence of the government and to celebrate 18 years since Chavez led a failed civilian-military uprising against a corrupt government in 1992.
Winners and losers in transport pork barrel
On February 1, NSW premier Kristina Keneally announced changes to public transport fares and ticketing at a Parramatta railway station press conference.
Xstrata locks out coalminers
More than 200 coal miners in Tahmoor, southwest of Sydney, were locked out with no pay, on February
Anti-intervention book launched
On February 9, around 70 people attended the book launch of Will They be Heard.
'Stop the intervention' protests
Union demands workers' safety
The Construction Forestry Mining Energy Union has criticised the federal government's cavalier disregard for workplace safety in the operation of its home insulation scheme, calling for it to be tightly regulated. It also hit out at the Coalition for "posturing", saying it did nothing for workers' safety when it was in power.
WA government undermines eco-festival
PERTH — The Sun Fair, an annual sustainability festival and information exchange, has been hit with a huge budget blow from the WA state government. The fair, which attracted 15,000 people last year and expects 17,000 on March 28, has been denied funding by the WA Office of Energy (OOE).
Write on: Letter to the editor
Young people under attack
"Governments making new laws all of the time Try to tell 'em that being young's not a crime" — Area 7
A polemic against lipstick feminism
One Dimensional Woman By Nina Power, Zero Books, 2009, 81 pp., $22.95
Feb 14, 2010
SLIDESHOW Sydney and Perth NT Solidarity Actions
Feb 13, 2010: The Sydney component of the national day of action against the racist Northern Territory Intervention, organised by the Stop The Intervention Collective Sydney <http://www.
Feb 12, 2010
Socialist Alliance tribute to Alistair Hulett
It is with a great deal of sadness that we in the Socialist Alliance mourn Alistair Hulett’s recent death from cancer in his beloved Glasgow. It was much too soon for this comrade to die—he had so much ahead of him. Some of us remember Alistair performing in the 1980s at the “Sando”, Newtown’s famous Sandringham Hotel in King Street before it was gentrified. He became famous for the political songs he wrote and then performed with Roaring Jack—songs such “Lads of the BLF”, “Yuppietown” and “Cat Amongst the Pigeons”.
He supported the Builders Labourers Federation (BLF), the union deregistered and outlawed by Bob Hawke’s Labor federal government, the first Thatcherite Labor government in the world. This attack led to the hated Australian Building Construction Commission being created by John Howard’s conservative Liberal-National government and now kept and refined by Kevin Rudd’s conservative Labor government.
Alistair and Roaring Jack played benefits for many causes -- whether it was for the Aboriginal Deaths in Custody Campaign, the BLF Christmas picnic or during the three and half month strike/occupation at Cockatoo Island Dockyard in 1989. Alistair and Roaring Jack were playing outside Sydney’s Long Bay Goal in 42 degree heat for Tim Anderson, when he was framed for the Hilton Bombing. They performed Alistair’s song “Framed” on Australia’s MTV show. We won that fight and after the Royal Commission into Police Corruption came out, Tim’s three convictions of murder were overturned and quashed.
Alistair and Roaring Jack performed on the first Green Left Weekly Sydney Harbour cruise, which was interrupted by a visit from the Water Police. Later, we had to stop the boat for more beer! Alistair went on from those roaring days in the “Sando” to write a whole host of other cutting-edge political songs.
The Sydney Resistance Centre hosted another performance by Alistair Hulett and David Rovics in December 2008 brought back memories of many similar performances that same space in earlier times.
We join the many who knew, loved and respected Alistair -- his family, his many friends, his comrades in Socialist Alternative and in the broader left -- in a salute to a wonderful comrade. The famous last words of Joe Hill are appropriate: “Don’t mourn for me, organise!”
Socialist Alliance
SLIDESHOW Ampilatwatja Aboriginal Walkoff brigade
Made with Slideshow Embed ToolUnionists and Aboriginal rights activists have done what the government wouldn't in building a house for the remote Aboriginal community of Ampilatwatja.
Over a dozen people have participated in the building of the "protest house"
in a community that, under government legislation, was to receive no new
housing despite massive overcrowding.
People will see some Socialist Alliance members there, as well as Paddy
Gibson from Solidarity, but there were also members from Unions NT, the
CFMEU, the AMWU and many others.
Here's media release on it:
Richard Downs and Alyawarr elders would like to invite Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people to the opening of our protest house at lunchtime, February 14 at Honeymoon bore near Ampilatwatja community.
This is a stand against the federal government Intervention.
The protest house has been build with support of Northern Territory and national trade unions and the general public to show the governments it does
not take over 2 years to build one house.
This is also an opportunity for people of all races to come together in unity against racism and discrimination,
to unite for:
Human rightsMother EarthLand rights and not native titleCompensation for the Stolen Generation and return of stolen wages
And against:
Incarceration of our peopleDeaths in custodyClimate change.
We want support to stay on our homelands, we do not want to move to the town hubs being created.
We say no to lease agreement- our lands are not for sale, lease or to be given away.
We are now joining together as one to stand against the racism and discrimination.
Our people will be having a special opening ceremony to show the governments and public we are still here.
http://www.stoptheintervention.org/ for events in their city.
Unions must leave Labor
BY DEAN MIGHELL
The Age
February 11, 2010
The Age
February 11, 2010
There's a great unspoken truth in Australia's labor movement now and if it is not tackled soon the future of this country's unions as the effective political voice of the workers is in serious jeopardy.
Everyone will remember Tracey, the highly stressed working mother who featured in the ACTU ''Your Rights at Work'' TV ads. Well, Tracey, if you still work in a workplace with fewer than 15 employees you can still be sacked unfairly and, worse, your basic award conditions have been reduced under Julia Gillard's ''modernisation'' program.
A new relationship between the ALP and unions that is based on mutual respect is desperately needed. In Scandinavia, unions and the Social Democrats have an alliance, not affiliation.
In the United States, unions largely support the Democrats and their campaigning and finance are critical, though they have no affiliation mechanism. They effectively lobby Republican politicians on many issues and some unions actively support Republican candidates if they believe it is in their members' interests.
Our system differs but the principle remains. The union/Labor relationship has its history in the British model and if that's utopia for workers, I'll give it a miss.
Too often, despite the theatre, both Labor and the Liberals now look to the polls rather than their party conferences for policymaking. There can be no more glowing example than that of industrial relations policy. Labor has effectively adopted most of the Howard government's IR policy, and rebadged it, and refers to it as ''Fair Work''. But in reality, big business and their representatives have had unprecedented access to Labor and are delighted with the results. Even Howard's Building Industry Taskforce has been retained, to the delight of multimillionaire builders and developers.
I well remember when John Howard ushered in the 1996 Workplace Relations Act. Peter Reith was industrial relations minister and the ACTU denounced the legislation as the ultimate, anti-worker evil. Union anger was at boiling point and Reith was demonised at every turn. Now there is a deafening silence from the ACTU as Labor governs and workers' rights and conditions are attacked.
The truth is that Howard's laws at the time, as bad as they were, gave workers and their unions a much better go than Rudd and Gillard's Fair Work Act. When Howard controlled the Senate, he then took it too far and paid the ultimate political price.
During the recent Senate inquiry into the Fair Work Bill, the ACTU refused to buy into the debate that the bill contained many breaches of human rights as defined by Australia's international obligations under International Labour Organisation conventions. If the ACTU is so severely compromised by the ALP relationship that it can't stand up and fight for basic workers rights, then something is seriously wrong.
Belatedly, after the Fair Work Bill had become legislation, the ACTU has identified 15 serious breaches of human rights and has said that, ''on balance'', the Fair Work Act met Australia's ILO obligations. Australian workers have every right to feel let down.
Membership numbers have declined and so too has the influence of the ACTU, which has refused to adopt a policy that is at odds with the ALP and this strategy simply hasn't delivered.
The challenge for unions is simple - create unions that workers want to join. The financial membership of the Victorian branch of the Electrical Trades Union has grown every year since 1995 despite the huge job losses through electricity privatisation, manufacturing decline and bad IR laws. Unions such as the Nurses Federation and Police Association have had large growth too; neither are affiliated with the ALP in Victoria. Significantly, we have close to 2000 apprentices under the age of 25 as members.
Many workers are sceptical that ALP affiliation is too often a mechanism to ensure pre-selection to a safe Labor seat for a few union leaders and they rightly ask, to what end? I've seen too many union leaders who think the ALP is the ''main game'' and spend most of their time wheeling and dealing in the ugly factional process. I'll admit, I've done my bit too, but I've always known that a union's mission is looking after workers, not preselection.
Unions must act strategically. That may include backing independents and parties that care about the interests of ordinary working people.
Collectively, unions represent close to 2 million Australian's directly as members; we act to protect millions more. We proved with the ''Your Rights at Work'' campaign that we can be Australia's most powerful lobby group.
By remaining affiliated with the ALP, unions are automatically the enemy of the Liberals and National Party and I seriously question if their stance on trade unions would be as severe if unions were not an intrinsic part of their political rival.
I'm not anti-Labor, far from it. It is my hope that unions and the ALP always have a good working relationship in the continued interests of Australia and working people. However, relationships change, evolve, collapse and rearrange, it's part of life and so too must the relationship change between Labor and unions for the betterment of both.
Dean Mighell is Victorian branch secretary of the Electrical Trades Union.
Feb 7, 2010
VIDEO Stop Barnett's attacks on the public sector | Sam's Freo Report
The latest commentary from Sam Wainwright, Socialist Alliance councillor in Fremantle
more about "Stop Barnett's attacks on the public ...", posted with vodpod
more about "Stop Barnett's attacks on the public ...", posted with vodpod
Feb 3, 2010
A historic gathering of workers and peasants in Pakistan
By: Farooq Tariq
On 29th January an historic gathering took place at Faisalabad, the third largest city in Pakistan. The event was jointly organized by the Labour Qaumi (National) Movement and the Anjuman Mozareen Punjab (Punjab Tenants Association), two movements of workers and peasants that, by their defiant activities in several Punjabi districts, have caught the imagination of thousands. For the first time, these two important movements of workers and peasants in Punjab shared a common platform.
The famous Dhobi Ghat parade ground was a sea of red flags that caught the attention of the incoming crowd. Several bookstalls by left-wing organizations and publishers reminded me of the 1960s. Many hundreds visited the book stalls.
The high point of the conference must have been the arrival of peasants from areas including Lahore, Okara, Depalpur, Renala Khurd, and Kulyana Military Estate. After travelling from different areas of the country, over 3,000 peasants joined one procession. They wore their traditional dress and carried Dhool Damaka (drums).
Earlier on 27-28 January, 140 delegates from Labour Party Pakistan held their 5th congress in the same city and leaders of the two movements participated in the congress as delegates.
For two weeks prior to the conference, the city was decorated with the red flags of the Labour Party Pakistan and of the LQM. LQM activists worked day and night for two weeks in order to cover all the roads with signs. Normally only the parties of the rich are able to muster resources enough to color the city. In this case, however, activists’ sheer determination to reach as many as possible got out the message of a new labour-peasant movement. Banners, posters and wall chalking signaled the message.
During a time of daily suicide attacks and bomb blasts, holding the workers-peasant conference was a significant development, uniting the under-privileged class under their own leadership. Aside from religious gatherings and rallies, it had been a long time since that many workers and peasants had gathered together in Punjab.
The conference took place in a tense atmosphere, so only committed activists and workers of the two movements participated. Altogether there were over 10,000 participated. Local city officials prepared for any unwanted incident by installing security doors and placing ambulances and fire brigade buses on the site. (We had hoped to mobilize 30,000 but in this atmosphere many local sympathizers stayed home.)
Following the end of the conference, a young worker from Faisalabad told me, “I have come here to see what a labour and peasant conference is. Now I have a telephone number of Mian Abdul Qayum, the LQM leader; I am going to organize workers in my factory”. At present, there is no union at his textile factory in Faisalabad.
Several social organizations including South Asia Partnership (SAP), Pakistan Institute for Research and Education (PILER), Patan Taraqiyati Tanzeem, Women Workers Help Line and others mobilized the women for the event alongside with AMP and LQM. Over 1000 women participated: peasant women from Okara Military Farms and other areas as well as women workers from different factories.
The two main conference slogans were the issuing of social security cards to all industrial workers and land ownership rights to the Mozareen of Military Farms. But solidaritistic and revolutionary slogans were very prominent: “Workers of the world unite,” “One’s sorrow is everyone’s sorrow,” “Long live working-class solidarity,” “Those who cultivate should sow,” “Asia is red,” “Give one more push to demolishing walls,” Socialism is the only answer,” “Revolution is our path,” “Struggle is our strategy,” “Ownership of land or death,” “Trade union rights, our human right,” “Issue social security cards,” “Down with capitalism and feudalism,” “No to the IMF and World Bank,” “Down with American imperialism,” “No to drone attacks and religious fundamentalism,” “For a peaceful democratic Pakistan,” “Equal rights for women,” “No to discriminatory laws,” “Stop violence,” “Give peace a chance.”
The conference was chaired by Mian Abdul Qayum and the proceedings were conducted by Aslam Meraj, LQM’s secretary. Speakers stressed the need for worker and peasant unity to defeat the politics of the rich and feudal. They demanded that all agriculture land occupied by the Military Farms administration must be given to the tenants working on these lands for over 100 years. They called for implementation of the minimum wage in all factories and for a 15,000 rupees ($160) monthly wage. They announced their intention to participate in the coming local government elections at Faisalabad and other cities. They condemned the atrocities by the military in Baluchistan and announced full solidarity with Baluch people in fighting exploitation and injustice. And they demanded the recovery of the missing persons.
Speakers came from all over Pakistan as well as from France and Australia. They included Rasul Buksh Paleejo, leader Awami Tehreek, Pierre Rousset of France’s NPA, Simon Butler of the Socialist Alliance Australia, Mehr Abdul Sattar, secretary Anjuman Mozareen Punjab, Bushra Khaliq, secretary of the Women Workers Help Line, Asim Sajad Akhtar organizer Peoples Rights Movement, Younas Rahu, secretary Labour Party Pakistan, Sindh Chapter, Mohammed Yousaf Baluch, chairman National Trade Union Federation, Safdar Sindhu, secretary Pakistan Trade Union Federation, Ayub Qureshi All Pakistan Trade Union Federation, Atif Jamil Pegan of Harmony Foundation, myself and several others.
Several more on the platform included Jamil Umer of the Awami Jamhoori Forum and leader of the Coordination Committee of Progress parties, Mohmmed, Tehseen executive director of the South Asia Partnership, Sarwar Bari, executive director Patan Taraqiyati Tanzeem, Khalid Mahmud director Labour Education Foundation, Begum Sabeeha head of Khaksaar Tehreek, Nasim Bajwa, an eminent human rights lawyer from the United Kingdom, Zulfiqar Shah of PILER, Ashraf Nadeem, Mian Ashraf, Noor Nabi, Shabir Ahmad and Malik Saleem Jakar of AMP, Baba Jan LPP Gilgit Baltastan, Abdul Jalal, LPP Swat. Nasir Mansoor, LPP national labour secretary.
Speakers saw the conference as an historic beginning of today’s working-class politics in Pakistan. “It is new start and it will not be the last event in this regard, we reject the economic and political policies of the present government, which are dictated by American imperialism.” They noted that Washington stands empty-handed before the people of Pakistan.
They commented that IMF and World Bank policies are adding misery and poverty to the everyday life of the working class. They refused to accept the dictates of IMF and World Bank. They demanded that the government stop privatization and provide subsidies for agriculture’s input. At the same time they demanded that the government must end discriminatory legislation: All citizens of Pakistan must be treated equally in the eyes of the law and constitution. Finally, they noted they were sick and tired of the in-fighting of the Pakistan People’s Party and the Muslim League Nawaz. They do not battle over issues of concern to the working class but only on how to share power and status.
Speaker after speaker stressed the need for an independent politics from those parties of the rich. Many pointed to worker and peasant unity at the conference as a practical alternative. Speakers urged the government to control poverty, price hikes, unemployment and the power crisis.
Pierre Rousset, a leader of New Anti Capitalist Party France (NPA) and organizer of Europe Solidaire Sans Frontieres (ESSF), said that the French workers had secured their social security rights after years of struggle. Nonetheless, aided by the WTO, multinational companies were trying to deprive ordinary people throughout Europe from their basic rights. The response is concrete international solidarity by the workers of all countries.
Simon Butler of Socialist Alliance Australia conveyed revolutionary greetings from socialists in Australia, mentioning that Pakistan and Australia might be opponents in the cricket match but the workers of both countries will unite to fight poverty and unemployment together.
For all those attending, the conference was very positive. Most felt the power of unity: “We did this despite all the threats of security. The police kept pushing us to restrict the event inside the grounds, however, we carried out our own plan and we did well” Rana Tahir, one of the main LLQM leaders, told me.
“It was like an Eid day for the Faisalabad power looms workers. We are all happy with the outcome. It is beginning of working class politics in the city. Just, six years on, LQM did what the big parties cannot do. It was a challenge to fill the ground and we did it. “We feel the power, the power of the working class to change the society. If we can do this, we can do many more things in support of the workers. Now the administration has to listen to us and take us seriously” he commented after the rally.
The conference also passed several resolutions.
Feb 2, 2010
Vale Alistair Hulett, 1952-2010, musician, writer, activist, socialist, Comrade and friend
Alistair Hulett 1952-2010
By John Tognolini
It was with a great deal of sadness and stunned disbelief that I heard of Alistair Hulett’s death from cancer in his beloved Glasgow. It was too soon for such a man to die, with so much ahead of him. I used to share house with him in Sydney’s Inner suburb of Glebe in 1988-89, and remember meeting him in 1987 at the Sando, Newtown’s famous Sandrigham Hotel in King St.
That first time I met him in the Sando, he and the rest of Roaring Jack were playing Lads of the BLF. I didn’t know Roaring Jack was a political band and just went into the pub for a drink. I was an organiser in the Builders Labourers Federation, the union deregistered/outlawed by Bob Hawke’s ALP federal government, the first Thatcherite Labor Party government in the world. This is where the hated Australian Building Construction Commission was born and thought up by John Howard Conservative's government and kept and refined by Kevin Rudd’s ALP government.
I lost track of how many gigs I asked Alistair and the lads in Roaring Jack to play at, and they always played: whether it was for the Aboriginal Deaths in Custody campaign that ended up in the Royal Commission, the BLF Christmas picnic or during the three month strike/occupation at Cockatoo Island Dockyard occupation in 1989 or benefits for community radio’s Radio Skid Row.
And of course Alistair and Roaring Jack were playing outside Sydney’s Long Bay Goal in 42 degree heat for Tim Anderson, when he was framed for the Hilton Bombing and performing Alistair’s song Framed on Australia’s MTV show. We won that fight and the Royal Commission into Police Corruption came out of Tim’s three convictions of murder being overturned and quashed.
I had Alistair play live to air many times when I did my radio show Radio Solidarity in Radio Skid Row's studios. If there was a cause to fight Alistair would be there with a song he wrote for it. Also Alistair and Roaring Jack performed on the first Green Left Weekly Sydney Harbour cruise where we had to stop the boat for more beer.
The last time I saw Alistair was two years ago at Katoomba’s Blue Mountains Folk and Blues Festival.
To all of us that knew him, his Comrades in Socialist Alternative and all of us on the Left whether here in Australia or in Britain and his beloved Scotland, the words about Joe Hill are fitting,
Don’t Mourn Organise and Socialism Here We Go!
Feb 1, 2010
People are not pollution: Population limits are not green--- and more from the latest GLW...
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