BRISBANE — Some 200 men and women attended the "Men can stop Rape" rally in King George Square on September 5, organised by Men Against Sexual Assault as part of a national day of action. "This rally is to highlight the need for men in particular along with the community to challenge the rape mentality existing in our society that limits women's actions and who women are", said Adam Hughes, chairing the rally. Other speakers included Ron Frey, lecturer at QUT, and Gay Sheldon, women's crisis counselor. Entertainment was provided by One Step Forward and Chris Anderson.
- Community groups have launched an appeal to collect basic, practical tools to be shipped to Mozambique. The campaign, which is being coordinated by Community Aid Abroad and Brisbane Friends for Peace, needs everything from handles to hammers, screwdrivers to picks and shovels, rakes to hand ploughs and tractors. Sewing machines, wheelchairs, typewriters, school materials of all kinds and photocopying paper are also especially required. Donations need to be delivered before September 18 to allow sorting and repairs before shipment. If you can help, or would like to find out your nearest point, phone Shirley or Brent on (07) 289 8237.
MELBOURNE — Legislation to amend the state Equal Opportunity Act, to include protection for gay men and lesbians by adding sexuality to the grounds of unlawful discrimination, has lapsed with the dissolution of parliament for the state elections. A Gay and Lesbian Electoral Lobby has been established and will survey all candidates before the October 3 election.
PERTH — The 500 Years of Indigenous Black and Popular Resistance Campaign is planning activities for Saturday, October 25. A march is to be held through Fremantle followed by a rally and artistic celebration of struggle at the Fremantle Esplanade. Also celebrating the struggles of indigenous peoples will be the Environmental Youth Alliance state activists meeting, to be held in Fremantle on October 10.
- State health minister Keith Wilson has again come under attack by community groups for his inaction on AIDS education. At a meeting of the WA Council of State School Organisations here on August 30, the minister was called upon to allow compulsory primary and secondary AIDS education in schools. WACSSO, which represents thousands of parents, also supported the presence of condom vending machines in schools.
SYDNEY — The Greenpeace Merchandise Catalogue for spring/summer 1992-93 is available by ringing the toll free number 008 804 184, or Sydney 899 6725. Products listed have to meet four criteria: helping to conserve resources; exhibiting an environmental improvement over similar products; benefiting the planet as well as the individual; being independently tested to verify claims and quality.
WOLLONGONG — A spirited group of students and ortunity to protest against the 1992 budget when federal Treasurer John Dawkins visited here last week for a Labor Party fundraising dinner. The protest was organised by Wollongong University SRC, Resistance Club and Wollongong Out of Workers Union. They objected to Austudy and dole payments being well below the poverty line, and called for real job creation with real wages and a scrapping of the new student loans scheme. Most dinner guests expressed support for the demands, except the local Labour Council secretary, Paul Matters, who accused the protesters of being "anti-union" and "supporting Hewson".