BRISBANE — Students Against Cuts occupied the Student Union building at the University of Queensland on October 8 and 9 to protest against irregularities in last month's union elections. There are reports of completed ballots going missing, scrutineers filling in blank ballots and biased electoral officials.
- More than 350 people from environmental and community groups gathered in front of Parliament House on October 9 to protest against the Goss government's decision to proceed with the Gurumundi toxic waste dump, Esk radioactive dump, the Rochedale and Pine rivers "super" dumps, and the Sunshine Coast toll road.
MELBOURNE — More than 5000 Croats and supporters demonstrated in City Square on October 10, demanding an end to Belgrade's war against Croatia and calling on the Australian government to recognise the independent republic of Croatia. Representatives from the Slovenian and Macedonian communities and an Albanian from Kosovo also addressed the rally.
- "We're overcrowded, pissed off and spilling into the streets", was the sentiment of 4000 RMIT students at a street rally on October 8. Federal funds of $10.3 million were withdrawn when RMIT pulled out of a proposed amalgamation with two other tertiary institutes. RMIT has a space shortfall of more than 41,016 square metres and has not received federal capital funding since 1976. The institution's library only has 5.1 seats per 100 students.
NEWCASTLE — Early on the morning of October 10, the Environmental Youth Alliance staged a banner drop in protest against the Hawke government's resource security legislation. The banner, proclaiming "Resource Security — a Lie" was hung on the pedestrian footbridge over Scott Street in the centre of the city. Future planned actions include pickets of the regional office of the NSW Forestry Commission and a rally on October 19 to coincide with the debate on the resource security legislation in federal parliament.
PERTH — October is Pride Month for WA gays and lesbians. Activities include an October 26 street march, a "coming out day" picnic, art shows and the annual gay and lesbian games. Activists here have been encouraged by the state ALP conference passing a motion calling on justice minister David Smith to direct the Equal Opportunity Commission to prepare a report examining sexuality as grounds for discrimination.
- About 60 women from Perth campuses met on September 29 for a day of speakers and workshops at the second annual Intercampus Women's Conference. Speakers considered the relation of women to such issues as the current education crisis, racism, safe sex, health and part-time work.
SYDNEY — A broad committee has formed to protest against the visit by US president George Bush in late November. Mobilisation Opposing Bush will conduct a trial of Bush at a public gathering in mid-November. A demonstration is also being planned to coincide with the visit. For more info contact Jenny or Dave (02) 690
- Three hundred demonstrators protested against Fred Nile's "Jericho" march on October 7. Jeers, whistles and chants largely drowned out Nile's calls for sinners to repent. Despite confrontations involving demonstrators from both sides, the only demonstrators arrested were anti-Nile. Police used considerable violence in making arrests.
- "Go home you filthy racist", demonstrators organised by the Anti-Apartheid movement chanted at South African foreign minister Pik Botha when he arrived here on October 7. Botha's press conference also proved difficult. He could only reply "I don't know any background to the questions you've put" when 2SER journalist John Tognolini asked him, "Will you be meeting Kerry Packer during your visit in regard to Inkatha funding?".