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By Stephen Robson The National Assembly of Vietnam in the first week of August elected Vo Van Kiet prime minister. Kiet takes over the position from Do Muoi, elected general secretary of the Communist Party at the Seventh National Congress at the
Democrat referendum Further moves towards a merger between some greens and the Australian Democrats seem likely following a report in the August 17-18 Australian that Democrat senators are preparing a referendum on the question, and comments by
By Will Firth BERLIN — Debate has flared in the German media about compulsory military service. The weekly Der Spiegel reported last month that the Ministry of Defence was planning to abolish conscription. This was promptly denied by a ministry
Profits in pollution Pork bellies, soybeans, wheat futures — and now sulphur dioxide allowances. The Chicago Board of Trade voted on July 16 to add sulphur dioxide emission allowances to the list of commodities in which it trades. Under 1990
By Pat Brewer SYDNEY — The repeatedly postponed national gathering to discuss a national green party took place on August 18-19. On the agenda were structure and proscription of membership in other political parties. Agreement to some form of
Working people in paint SYDNEY — A unique exhibition of 35 painters who either identified with working people or depicted their living and working conditions is showing at the Campbelltown City Art Gallery until August 25. The exhibition
By Steve Painter Humour-lock Gridlock By Ben Elton Macdonald. $29.95 (hb) Reviewed by Steve Painter At its best, Gridlock is a very funny novel about the ultimate traffic jam, which ties up London for three days, creating the political
By Peter Boyle The latest national account figures confirm that Australia is still deep in recession. Gross domestic product over the 12 months to June contracted by 0.9%, and unemployment is set to continue at around 10% well into next year. Yet
By Nick Carroll MELBOURNE — The Rainforest Action Group and the Forest Lands Action Group will stage an action against a ship entering Corio Quay South to pick up a supply of woodchips from the Midway woodchipping company. Supporters are urged
Privatising the pension As wage rises have proven very difficult to get under the Accord, the union movement has been offered something of an alternative in superannuation. The proportion of the workforce covered by super has probably doubled
ADELAIDE — Eight progressive clubs at Adelaide University joined forces for Social Justice Week, August 3-10. The ecumenical Student Christian Movement initiated the project, which was taken up by the ANC Solidarity Group, Amnesty International,
TAFE teachers denounce award By Nina Murka SYDNEY — Mass meetings of TAFE Teachers Association members were held on August 14 across NSW in response to an Industrial Relations Commission award handed down a week earlier. The award, which has