ADELAIDE — An exhibition mounted by the Coalition For Women's Right to Choose at the Old Parliament House opened on September 11 to a packed audience. It was addressed by Diana Laidlaw, minister for the status of women, and the Anne Levy from the Labor opposition, among others. Both stressed the need to protect what rights women do have over their own fertility.
- Public transport workers went on strike on September 14 to protest against the state Liberal government's planned "reforms" to the public transport system. A Public Transport Union mass meeting was told that after an initial hearing of the PTU's proposals, transport minister Diana Laidlaw had refused even to answer correspondence. The PTU believes that the government is planning to privatise 100% of bus, tram and train services.
MELBOURNE — Around 1000 building workers and their supporters rallied against the Kennett government's proposed changes to Victoria's already draconian health and safety legislation on September 16. The rally assembled at City Square and marched to Parliament House and then to the Master Builders Association. The proposed changes would enable individual officers from the Department of Industrial Relations to determine the level of safety on each building site. The rally was organised by the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union.
- Students from Salesian College and Sydenham Catholic Regional College staged a protest at Parliament House on September 15 against human rights abuses and the Indonesian occupation of East Timor. Karen Sullivan, from Sydenham Catholic Regional College, condemned the repression carried out by the Suharto regime. Jo Brown, from Resistance, highlighted the complicity of the Australian government. She called on the students to support the October 15 National Day of Action against oil exploration in the Timor Gap.
SYDNEY — The Australia Cuba Friendship Society has joined forces with other Cuba solidarity organisations and activists to call for a national day of action demanding an end to the US blockade of Cuba and condemning US aggression against the island. The day of action, on October 8, also marks the anniversary of the death of a leader of the Cuban revolution, Che Guevara. The day will begin with a rally at Town Hall at 10.30am, marching to the US Consulate. A dance that evening will raise funds to support the campaign "A glass of milk for a Cuban child". Further "Hands off Cuba" campaign activities being planned include a public meeting on October 15.
- An emergency demonstration in defence of Haiti's right to self-determination was held outside the US Consulate here on September 16. The protest, called by the Sydney Committee in Solidarity with Latin America and the Caribbean, condemned President Clinton's announcement earlier that day that the US intends to invade the island. A further demonstration will take place 4.30pm-6pm outside the US Consulate on the day of the invasion. For more information call (02) 690 1977.