Issue 1346

News

Frack Free Kimberley and supporters rallied outside the inaugural AGM of Texan fracking company Black Mountain. Alex Salmon reports.

The federal election result shows that through grassroots community activism and outreach, socialist and progressive ideas can win popular support.Alex Salmon ԻSue Boltonǰ.

Hands off GlebeԻAction for Public Housing organised a rally to demand the NSW government stop selling off public housing. Isaac Nellist reports.

You may have helped Socialist Alliance gain federal registration last yearand recently seen us on the ballot. Can you now help us in New South Wales, Kathy Fairfax asks?

Pip Hinman spoke to members of the National Tertiary Education Unionon the picket line at the University of Sydney.

Activists gathered at Sydney Town Hallto condemn the intimidation of opposition candidates in the Colombian presidential elections. Victor Hugo Munoz reports.

After 50 years of advocacy and polls consistently showing up to 80% support, Voluntary Assisted Dying is finally to become law in NSW. Suzanne James reports.

On election eve, more than 50 people gathered on Rundle Mall for a snap protest against the Coalitiongovernment's inaction on climate change. Renfrey Clarke reports.

Renee Lees, who is standing for Socialist Alliance in the Queensland Senate, said neither major party has put forward real solutions to the housing unaffordability crisis. Kerry Smith reports.

Kuku Yalanji woman Pat O’Shanehas slammed the reported failure to find staff for polling booths in Cape York communities. Kerry Smith reports.

Tamils in Melbourne marked the 2009 Mullivaikkal massacreand demanded an end to the military occupation of Tamil land. Chris Slee reports.

On International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia day, protestersaffirmedtheywould not let politicians promote bigotry. Kerry Smith reports.

Protesters commemorate Nakba in Melbourne

Respected Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh was remembered at free Palestine rallies to commemorate the Nakba in Sydney and Melbourne. Kerry Smith reports.

Dying with Dignity campaigners

The NSW Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill is heading back into the NSW Legislative Council this week, Իadvocates are urging MPs not to give ground to hostile amendments.Suzanne Jamesreports.

On the march

Palestine solidarity activists commemorated the Nakba in Brisbane. Photos by Alex Bainbridge.

Analysis

Expectations are high that climate action will be on the agenda, now the climate-denialist Coalition has been booted out. But, as Alex Bainbridge argues, Labor's support for big fossil fuel projects must be challenged by building powerfulgrassroots action.

No one predicted Labor candidate Kristina Keneally could lose the Western Sydney seat of Fowler. Federico Fuentes looksbehind the crumbling of Labor’s ‘red wall’.

The proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers at the University of Sydney has not grown for a decade and is a key reason the NTEU took strike action.Awabakal man Jeremy Heathcote and Nick Riemer report.

New PM Anthony Albanesepledged his unswerving loyalty to the United States and its anti-China push at the Quad meeting in Japan, writes William Briggs.

The cashed-up United Australia Party ran in every seatbut only won 4.12% of the vote. Peter Boyle argues that it is the rise of the climatemovement that holds the real promise to prevent right-populism from rising to US levels of support.

Australianparliamentarians can and do use their position toprotect their thin skins. It is welcome news that Shane Bazziwon an appeal overturning a ruling that he defamedPeter Dutton. Binoy Kampmark reports.

Defying predictions, the Greens look set to win 2 seats in Brisbane and are in the running for another. Liam Flenady, the Australian Greens’ campaign manager for the seat of Griffith, reflects on three reasons why the campaign was so successful.

You probably noticed thatthere was nothingin the federal election attack ads by either major party which mentioned over-the-moon home prices, spiralling rents, and a rise in homelessness. Renfrey Clarke explains why.

The recent ASEANsummit, hosted by USPresident Joe Biden, was designed to bring the 10-country association closer to the US’ anti-China orbit. William Briggs reports.

The defeat of the right-wing Scott Morrison government indicates people want change and that there is a strong mood to act on the climate crisis and inequality, argueSarah Hathway, Jacob Andrewartha and Sam Wainwright.

Socialist Alliance national co-convenor Sam Wainwright spoketo the 鶹ý Show about the federalelection result, what it means and what happens next.

Matthew Alexander explains why the leadership debate about how to address cost-of-living rises and housing affordability is cynical, at best.

Scott Morrison's namingof Port Kemblaas one of three locations being considered for the new submarine baseprompted activists in Wollongong to spring into action. Alexander Brown reports.

The approach of thoseseeking to be elected to the Murray-Darling Basin and itswater distribution plan needs to weighed up because too much water is still being allocated to irrigators. Tracey Carpenter reports.

TheWorld Health Organization has offered a revised assessment of the COVID-19 death toll, saying the mortality figure is closerto 14.9 million.Binoy Kampmark reports.

Socialist Alliance Senate candidate Niko Leka believes the election will be a pivotal time for climate action and said his PhD in Public Health would see him prioritise preventative healthcare nationally.Maia O’Connor reports.

If Labor wins government on May 21unionists must press for the right to strike, argues Chris White.

World

The following resolution was passed at the National Political Committee of the Anti-Capitalist Left, Italy on May 7.

Amuay refinery in Venezuela

Andreína Chávez Alava reports that United States President Joe Biden's administration has authorised Chevron to negotiate its licence and “the terms of potential future activities in Venezuela” with Venezuelan state oil company, PDVSA.

Free Palestine, Sydney

Israel’s announcement that it will not pursue an investigation into the killing of famed Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh was not surprising, writes Miko Peled.

Indigenous protest in Colombia

Paramilitary violence continues to take lives and wreak havoc in Colombia, reports Peoples' Dispatch.

Banner

West Papuans continue to protest the creation of new provinces, for a referendum on self-determination and against Indonesia’s plan to grant “special autonomy” status to the territory, reports Susan Price.

Abortion rights protest in the US

Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets across 600 cities and towns in the United States on May 14 in defence of abortion rights, reports Barry Sheppard.

Gustavo Petro and Francia Marquez

The leftist Historic Pact presidential ticket, headed by Gustavo Petro and Francia Márquez, is favoured to win Colombia's presidential elections on May 29. However, the candidates face ongoing threats, reports Tanya Wadhwa.

Thecause of the Buffalo killings is the deep racism endemic in the US, rooted in slavery and the white justification of a false view of inferiority of Black people, writesMalik Miah.

Social Movement delegation at RGA conference

Dick Nichols reports on the May 13-15 Danish Red Green Alliance conference.

Culture

Light Shining in Buckinghamshire

Ben Radford reviews Light Shining in Buckinghamshire, Caryl Churchill’s 1976 play co-directed by Hannah Goodwin and Helpmann Award-winning Eamon Flack.

Ecosocialist Bookshelf May

Climate & Capitalism editor Ian Angus presents six new books for understanding and changing the world.

Bill Onus

Barry Healy previews a new documentary celebrating the life of Bill Onus, Australia’s first Indigenous filmmaker and a little-known but significant cultural and political figure.