Racism — 'the burning issue'
BRISBANE — A benefit gig titled "Racism — the burning issue" was held at Che's Lounge, Fortitude Valley, on September 18, to raise funds for repairs to the Resistance Centre.
On August 24, the centre was damaged by fire. Resistance members, who have been at the forefront of the anti-racism campaign, believe the fire was started by far-right groups to intimidate Resistance.
The concert celebrated activists' determination to resist intimidation. Bands Oh Neat a Sweater, Pug Butterfly and Shutterspeed donated their talents. An art auction was organised by artists who used space at the centre to raise money to replace equipment lost in the fire.
Residents against benzene dump
MELBOURNE — Despite rain, about 500 people rallied on September 13 at Ampol's proposed benzene storage site in Spotswood, in the city's west.
Protesters included the Australian Education Union, local schools and the Greek community. They object to the storage of dangerous chemicals in suburban areas. Benzene is carcinogenic and highly flammable. Speakers included the mayor of Hobson's Bay Council and a representative of the Hazardous Materials Action Group.
Meet the candidates
MELBOURNE — A meet the candidates public forum has been organised by the Reclaim the Night collective for Thursday, September 24 at 6.30pm. Those attending will have a chance to quiz candidates about their policies on women.
The evening will also raise funds for the annual Reclaim the Night march and rally, which will be on October 30. The meeting will be held in the Supper Room at the Royal Women's Hospital, cnr Grattan and Swanston Sts, Carlton. Phone Sarah on 9575 7741.
George Petersen's book launched
WOLLONGONG — On September 5, 70 people attended the launch of the autobiography George Petersen Remembers — the Contradictions, Problems and Betrayals of Labor in Government in NSW. Petersen, a former ALP state parliamentarian and unrepentant socialist, was expelled from the ALP for refusing to support the Unsworth government's unfair workers' compensation legislation.
The book describes Petersen's life as an activist, mostly in the Wollongong area, and his analysis of the NSW Labor Party, its internal machinations and deficiencies. He concludes that there is a need for a mass socialist party which is not controlled from the top.
Only 200 copies of the unabridged version are available. To order, send $30 to 51 Bullwarroo Parade, Shellharbour, NSW.
Timorese leader speaks
MELBOURNE — More than 500 people gathered at the Collingwood Town Hall on September 12 to celebrate the 23rd anniversary of the founding of the Timorese liberation army, Falintil. Mahudu, a Timorese ex-guerilla leader currently visiting Australia, addressed the gathering and stressed the importance of unity for the Timorese community. A written message from Xanana Gusmao was also distributed.
In a meeting with solidarity activists on September 11, Mahudu spoke of the unilateral moratorium the independence movement had placed on public demonstrations in East Timor until it becomes clear whether Indonesia is prepared to negotiate over the status of the territory.
Planned motorway opposed
BRISBANE — More than 70 people attended a "Black Sunday" rally in Victoria Park on September 13. The event was organised by the Inner Northern Coalition to protest Lord Mayor Jim Soorley's proposed city/valley bypass.
The bypass would be the biggest motorway built in Brisbane in decades. It will add an estimated 100,000 cars to the city's roads daily, pumping out 16,000 tonnes of air pollution per year. It will cost $2.3 billion and, to add injury to insult, the particle pollution outside the Royal Brisbane Hospital will breach national daily air quality standards.
Activists from the local area, the Greens and the Democratic Socialists voiced their opposition to the proposal at the rally.
Reynolds calls for grassroots action
HOBART — Henry Reynolds, respected writer on Aboriginal history, addressed an audience of 300 at the University of Tasmania on September 16. He said he supports the movements defending native title but added it was important to be concerned about more than just native title.
Reynolds pointed to the effectiveness of the mass land rights and Aboriginal movements of the 1960s and '70s and called for grassroots action to defend native title and rediscover Aboriginal history. Reynolds opposes the current proposal for statehood in the NT because, he said, it would lead to greater divisions in society.