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Howard nobbles anti-discrimination body

By James Vassilopoulos A bonus for racists contained in the recent federal budget is the savaging of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, which will lose 40% of its funding over two years. The commission has been a strong

State-federal agreement threatens Tasmania's forests

By Mat Hines HOBART — In April the government's regional forest agreement (RFA) options paper was released. The agreement is to be signed on June 30, handing control of Tasmania's forests to the state government for the next 20 years. The 1992

The crimes of Shell

The Shell oil corporation has blood on its hands, and a worldwide boycott of Shell products is under way. Two recent reports on the Shell subsidiary in Nigeria have documented massive environmental destruction in the Niger River delta region, where

Construction bosses renege on agreements

Construction bosses renege on agreements By Michael Bull MELBOURNE — A mass meeting of all CFMEU construction workers on May 20 discussed the Master Builders' Association's (MBA) reneging on a deal struck between unions and employers more

EuroMarch against injustice

By François Vercammen In June, European leaders will meet in Amsterdam to amend the Maastricht Treaty, reform the institutions of the European Union, fix the details of east European membership in the EU and approve steps towards common

Perth rocks against racism

By Stuart Munckton PERTH — More than 600 people turned up at the Ozone Bar on May 16 to a "Rock against Racism" band night organised by Â鶹´«Ã½ Weekly. The gig featured some of Perth's best bands. The large and diverse crowd helped refute

Fighting up-front fees at Melbourne University

By Alison Dellit and Jo Williams MELBOURNE — The May 8-9 occupation of the Melbourne University administration building was very successful. It has drawn dozens of new activists into the campaign, energised older activists and focused media,

Transport unions unite

Transport unions unite By Bill Mason BRISBANE — Transport unions in Queensland have formed an alliance to launch an industrial campaign to fight anticipated tougher workplace laws in the state. Transport Workers Union state secretary

A plea for tolerance

Empty ShellsBy Ramez TabitDirected by Patricia CorneliusStarring Nicholas Cassim, Nadia Coreno, Carmelina Di Guglielmo, Senol Mat, Ramez TabitForward Theatre at the Universal Theatre, Melbourne, until June 7 Review by Bronwen Beechey

High school students organise

SYDNEY — On May 8, more than 700 high school students here walked out of their schools to protest against the expected 23% funding cut to the education system and cuts to Austudy. MELANIE BULL interviewed LOU PASTRO and AARON BENEDEK from the

SRC sabotages Tas Uni picket

SRC sabotages Tas Uni picket By Mathew Munro HOBART — Tasmania University students picketed a meeting of the university council on May 23 to protest against university cutbacks. Unfortunately, the ALP-dominated students representative

Teachers demand new pay offer

Teachers demand new pay offer By Bill Mason BRISBANE — Around 120 angry teachers marched on the Broadbeach office of Queensland education minister Bob Quinn on May 21, as thousands of Gold Coast teachers held a 24-hour stoppage to demand