LL:REM: meeting: Che Guevara today
Wednesday 13th March 6.30 pm David Deutschmann, founder of Ocean Press and editor of numerous books on Guevara and Cuba, speaks on the relevance of Che to today's struggles for social change. New International Books Trades Hall Cnr Victoria and Lygon Sts, Carlton Sth ph 9662 3744 for more information . -- -- Leftlink - Australia's Broad Left Mailing List mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Archived at http://www.cat.org.au/lists/leftlink/ Sponsored by Melbourne's New International Bookshop Subscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=subscribe%20leftlink Unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=unsubscribe%20leftlink
LL:DDV: Forum: Climate, Australia and the Pacific 14th March
Climate change: Australia's policy and its regional implications FoE presents a climate justice forum. Featuring: Dr Jon Barnett, Lecturer, Dept of Anthropology, Geography & Environmental Sciences, Melbourne University; Nic Maclellan, Journalist & researcher specialising in South Pacific issues; Tristy Fairfield, FoE Australia spokesperson Thursday 14 March, 6.30pm in the FoE bookshop 312 Smith st, Collingwood. Ph 9419 8700 Donation: $5. Finger food provided, drinks available - help keep FoE active - give a tax-free donation - Friends of the Earth Melbourne (Australia) PO Box 222 Fitzroy 3065 312 Smith St Collingwood Phone: (03) 9419 8700 Fax: (03) 9416 2081 (International: tel. +61 (3) 9419 8700; fax +61 (3) 9416 2081) www.melbourne.foe.org.au . -- -- Leftlink - Australia's Broad Left Mailing List mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Archived at http://www.cat.org.au/lists/leftlink/ Sponsored by Melbourne's New International Bookshop Subscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=subscribe%20leftlink Unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=unsubscribe%20leftlink
LL:REM: "Building Effective Social Movements" Workshop
MICHAEL ALBERT, co-founder of Boston-based Z Magazine and ZNet, will present a one-off practical workshop for Melbourne activists. "Building Effective Social Movements " will be held on Monday 25 March, from 6.00-9.00pm, at RMIT University's City Campus (MultiFunction Room, Level 4, Building 8). Registration is just $10 full or $4 concession. This three-hour workshop is aimed at activists and all those interested in building more effective social movements. The workshop will be informal and interactive and will touch on the following: - strategic thinking and vision development - unity with difference: how different political groupings and tendencies can work together effectively - contemporary perspectives: lessons from recent mobilisations around the world - historical perspectives: lessons from earlier struggles and movements Michael Albert,co-founder of Boston-based Z Magazine and ZNet. has been an activist for over 30 years and has written extensively on movement building and on alternatives to capitalism and globalisation, including his most recent book, "Moving Forward: Program for a Participatory Economy". For further information/registration contact: Gillian Davy, Community Advocacy Unit Telephone 03 9925 2910 OR Email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cam Walker, Friends of the Earth Telephone 03 9419 8700 OR Email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Gillian Davy Co-ordinator, Community Advocacy Unit School of Social Science and Planning RMIT University GPO Box 2476V Melbourne VIC 3001 http://advocacy.tce.rmit.edu.au Tel: +61 3 9925 2910 Fax: +61 3 9925 1855 . -- -- Leftlink - Australia's Broad Left Mailing List mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Archived at http://www.cat.org.au/lists/leftlink/ Sponsored by Melbourne's New International Bookshop Subscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=subscribe%20leftlink Unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=unsubscribe%20leftlink
LL:PR: Community Legal Centres to oppose anti-terrorism laws
Media Release : For Immediate Release Tuesday, March 12, 2002 Community Legal Centres to oppose anti-terrorism laws The Federation of Community Legal Centres has expressed strong concern regarding new anti-terrorism laws introduced into Federal Parliament today. The new measures include changes: allowing ASIO to detain non-suspects for 48 hours incommunicado, with no right to legal representation or the right to silence. Other measures include new offences, which are broad in scope and could criminalise a range of legitimate political activity. The Federation says the existing criminal law and processes should be used to investigate and prosecute terrorism. Damien Lawson, spokesperson for the Federation of Community Legal Centres said today, "ASIO will move from spy agency to secret police." "These laws violate fundamental rights which we have had for hundreds of years. The right not to be detained unless there is a reasonable suspicion you have committed a crime, the right to legal representation, the right to silence are democratic rights we should vigorously defend." "We hope the Australian Labor Party will take a principled stand on these issues and use their ability to block or significantly amend the laws in the Senate." For more information and comment: Damien Lawson Federation of Community Legal Centres: 03 9391 2244 or 0418 140 387 Damien Lawson -- Western Suburbs Legal Service Inc. 30 Hall St, Newport 3015 VIC 03 9391 2244 (Tel) 03 9399 1686 (Fax) 0418 140 387 (Mobile) [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.vicnet.net.au/~wsls . -- -- Leftlink - Australia's Broad Left Mailing List mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Archived at http://www.cat.org.au/lists/leftlink/ Sponsored by Melbourne's New International Bookshop Subscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=subscribe%20leftlink Unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=unsubscribe%20leftlink
LL:PR: WILPF media release re Nuclear Posture Review
WOMEN'S INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE FOR PEACE AND FREEDOM (AUSTRALIA) MEDIA RELEASE - 11/3/02 A classified Pentagon briefing paper recently leaked to the US media calls for marked changes in US nuclear posture. Until now, US nuclear policy (to use nuclear weapons as a last resort) has been based around the use of nuclear weapons as deterrents. A secret "Nuclear Posture Review" would expand the kinds of situations in which the US would be prepared to countenance the use of nuclear weapons by its military. The Review states that nuclear weapons could be used by the US in three types of situations: against targets able to withstand non-nuclear attack; in retaliation for attack with nuclear, biological or chemical weapons; or "in the event of surprising military developments." The report also identifies seven countries against which the US would be prepared to use its nuclear armoury. Consistent with recent changes in foreign policy, this Nuclear Posture Review, if adopted, would see yet another sharp move towards increased US unilateralism. Refusal to participate in the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty; an announced intention to withdraw from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty; and commitment to the National Missile Defence system have all signalled a renewed unilateralist inclination in the US. "These suggested changes to US policy on the use of nuclear weapons are provocative in the extreme and, if adopted, could only be regarded as irresponsible," says Mary Ziesak of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF). "If this review is adopted, the US would be giving itself carte blanche to use nuclear weapons even against nation states which possess only conventional weapons. Despite US denials, this new policy review would amount to nuclear weapons being regarded as conventional battlefield weapons. "These are moves which would make the use of nuclear weapons more likely and could only result in increased international tensions. "We need to be reducing political and military tensions not increasing them," says Ms Ziesak. "This new nuclear posture would diminish the safety of all, including the safety of Australian citizens. At Pine Gap, Australia hosts a base which plays its part in the US nuclear war fighting strategy. There is ample room for a middle ranking power on the international stage such as Australia to stand up against these belligerent and provocative moves on the part of the US. WILPF believes that the Australian Government now needs to take a firm stand against the changes proposed in this policy review." Contact: Cathy Picone 08 8296 4357 -- . -- -- Leftlink - Australia's Broad Left Mailing List mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Archived at http://www.cat.org.au/lists/leftlink/ Sponsored by Melbourne's New International Bookshop Subscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=subscribe%20leftlink Unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=unsubscribe%20leftlink
LL:URL: Refugee deportation plans
Project SafeCom Members Newsletter All other refugee lists refugee groups News update - Saturday March 9, 21:00 Taipei ST News has just come through that the Minister for Immigration has ordered the deportation of 700 asylum seekers from Woomera Detention Centre, Cocos Island and Christmas Island within weeks. He says out of the 1,700 detainees, there are now 700 people awaiting deportation because their asylum claims were rejected, and that another 700 detainees are appealing against adverse decisions. The story is first reported on ABC online: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2002/03/item20020309235832_1.htm This news fills me with disgust, especially because in terms of deportation, this Ministry can and is acting swiftly, while in terms of assessment and acceptance the process for many drags out for months and years. Today, on the day that Amnesty International's Secretary-General, Irene Khan, departs Australia after a formal visit because of AI's concerns with the detention policies, this Minister was of the opinion 'that she did not know the background' - but in the light of renewed protest action by 170 detainees in Woomera, this Minister responds with the "send them back" strategy. This government, faced with more embarrassment, is quite happy to place asylum seekers in further danger, rather than have a heart that speaks with and for refugees. Australia may well be said to "refoul" asylum seekers within its own territories - one of the clearest UN Convention Criteria - but now, with this speedy removal, I fear that hundreds of those who will be deported, in addition to having undergo trauma at the hand of this government and its detention policies, face that refoulement again in the countries where they will arrive. I ask from Amnesty International, the UN Association of Australia, the reporting officers of UNHCR, and all other agencies charged or working with the care for refugee and human rights standards, as well as from all refugee support, lobby and action groups, AS WELL AS all politicians who put a heart and a conscience before their career, the following - in addition to their previously agreed pro-refugee mandate: 1. to declare the strongest possible protest against these recent actions of the Minister for Immigration and the Howard Government; 2. - for politicians: to refuse to cooperate with the actions of this government, to move a motion of no confidence in this government, to cross the floor in any decisions as appropriate, and to announce the blocking of supplies to this government in the Senate, thus forcing a double dissolution; 3. to - if this deportation happens - start on a conscious program of closely monitoring all asylum seekers individually after their deportation, of course in the first place for their welfare and enabling further support strategies, but also in order to collect evidence for the future Royal Commission into the treatment of refugees by the Howard government - which has been called for recently and has now attracted about 10,000 signatures on-line at: http://www.PetitionOnline.com/ausrefug/petition.html Jack H. Smit Project Coordinator Project SafeCom Inc. http://www.safecom.org/refugees.htm . . . . . . . . . HAVE YOU SIGNED OUR FREEDOM VISA YET??? . . . . . . . . . http://www.safecom.org/people-visa.htm . -- -- Leftlink - Australia's Broad Left Mailing List mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Archived at http://www.cat.org.au/lists/leftlink/ Sponsored by Melbourne's New International Bookshop Subscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=subscribe%20leftlink Unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=unsubscribe%20leftlink
LL:INFO: Royal Commission into Building Industry
Dear Comrades, Here is some information about the Royal Commission into the Building and Construction Industry. Make no mistake about it, this is a Patricks style attack upon building unions. The Federal Government has allocated $60 million to the building industry Royal Commission compared to only $29.9 million for the HIH inquiry. Shadow Attorney-General Robert McCelland said, "It is astonishing that the government is spending twice as much on its politically motivated inquiry into the building industry than it is on the royal commission into one of the biggest and most serious corporate collapses in Australia's history." The Age reported that "The revelation sparked accusations from Labor that the government was using tax dollars to attack unions at the expense of the HIH commission." The following is a summary of the main points raised at the Senate Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee on 18/2/02. 1. $60 million is to be spent on the building industry inquiry as opposed to $29.9 million for the HIH version. 2. $28 million is to be spent in 2001-02 and $25 million in 2002-03. 3. The Commission has 4 teams of investigators each headed by a Counsel Assisting. The teams include investigators, solicitors and analysts. 4. There are 16 investigators in total. Eight of which are seconded from the Australian Federal Police (AFP). Of the others, one is from the Western Australian police, 1 is from the Victorian police, 2 are from the National Crime Authority (NCA) and the others are from the Australian Tax Office, Australia Post, Australian Stock Exchange and BHP. 5. No AFP or NCA investigators are being used by the HIH inquiry despite allegations about corporate crime. 6. Colin Thatcher was asked whether the Commission had been tapping phones. He stated that the Commission does not have the ?authority? to tap phones. However he did not say that it was not being done ie. Does the Commission have the "authority" to ask the AFP to tap phones on their behalf? 7. Senators Carr and Cooney criticised the fact that if a member of the public has a complaint about the conduct of an investigator, all they can do is approach the Commission about it. Hence there is little accountability. There is an allegation from Mr Noonan of the CFMEU Victorian Branch that phones are being tapped. There is also an allegation that investigators had been looking into union official's private lives. Cooney stated that there had been a report that an investigator was asking union official's neighbours about whether they had heard of any domestic violence perpetrated by the official. 8. Thatcher is required to advise the Committee as to Cole's salary as well as the fees of Counsel Assisting. Thatcher claimed that barrister fees were confidential in order to protect their commercial reputation. He will look into the matter more closely. 9. Thatcher would not comment as to whether union officials were under surveillance. 10. Thatcher was criticised for the fact that no action seems to have been taken against Tony Abbott for contempt over his letter to Multiplex. Thatcher is on notice to investigate whether action has or will be taken. 11. Thatcher was asked what level of industrial relations experience Commissioner Cole has. Thatcher said his CV is on the website. He also said Cole has a good understanding of IR. 12. The Royal Commission has a "Media Relations Area" comprising of a Media Adviser, Media Coordinator and at least one other person. The budget for this section is $700,000. This is compared with a media budget of $140,000 for the HIH inquiry. Senator Carr asked whether this implies that one is meant to be more public than the other. 13. The Commission employs a Mr Gillespe in what Thatcher says is an administrative role. He is formerly of the DEWRSB and the Department of Finance and Administration. He had a role in the Patrick's dispute. Thatcher was asked whether Gillespe was a member of the "Workplace Reform Unit". Thatcher made no comment. Gillespe is paid under an SES 1 rate which is substantial for someone doing purely administrative work. $60 million is; * More than what the Federal Government allocated in their Budget last year (that is for the year 2001-02 - all the following figures are based upon this period) to improving after hours medical care * Over half what the Federal Government allocated in their Budget last year for more practice nurses in rural and regional Australia * Just under half what the Federal Government allocated in their Budget last year for rural and regional telecommunications and internet services * More that what the Federal Government allocated in their Budget last year for primary health care for indigenous people. * Over 5 times more than what the Federal Government allocated in their Budget last year to helping people find jobs * More than 9 times more than what the Federal Government allocated in their Budget
LL:DDS: Woomera tour
RALLY FOR REFUGEE FREEDOM AT THE WOOMERA CONCENTRATION CAMP EASTER - THURSDAY 28/3 TO TUESDAY 2/4 This Easter, a demonstration will be held at the Woomera Detention Center in South Australia. Hundreds if not thousands of people disgusted at the Howard government's racist policies will be travelling to Woomera for a weekend of protest. If you are angry that desparate refugees are being locked up in concentration camps in the desert, like the infamous Woomera, in appauling conditions, then GET ON THE BUS! Socialist Alternative will be organising a 'Red Bloc'. We will be working with other groups to make the trip as worthwhile as possible by being organised, discussing all the political issues regularly, holding workshops both before and during the trip, and making every effort to show the detainees that we are determined, angry and defiant in support of their struggle for justice. Some quick facts about Woomera and refugees: - The Howard government pays Australian Correctional Management (the company that runs the refugee centers) $135 per refugee per day. This amounts to $49275 per refugee per year to persecute them. In contrast, welfare, english classes and assistance in job placement would cost less than $15000 per year. - More than 80% of detainees are found to be genuine refugees, even by the government's ultra-harsh criteria. - Most refugees are fleeing from problems largely caused or aided by the Australian government. The majority of refugees have fled war or persecution in Afghanistan (which still continues today under the Northern Alliance.), or the bombing and economic sanctions on Iraq which still kill more than 5000 people every month. In Iraq, diahorrea is the leading cause of death for children under 5 - because the Australian-led blockade of the country does not allow most medicines into Iraq. If you are angry about this barbarous treatment and want to come to Woomera with us, then GET ON THE BUS! At the moment, the trip will cost $100 for students, $160 for wage earners, but we are fundraising to try to reduce this. To get involved either: Come to our planning meeting: 2:30pm, Saturday 16 March This meeting is at the New International Bookshop, Trades Hall, cnr. Victora and Lygon St, City. If you want to book for the trip, please bring a deposit of $50 (we need this to book the buses). To get there: Get to Melbourne Central Station (cnr. Swanston and LaTrobe St, City), then travel one block along Swanston St (passing RMIT), then turn right just before the city baths. Continue walking around RMIT - when you come to a major intersection (not the first one). Trades Hall is the old stone building directly opposite you. Cross over to it, and enter via Victoria st. Head up a few stairs, and the Bookshop is on your left. OR: Call 9348 0766 and speak to Sandra or Mick. . -- -- Leftlink - Australia's Broad Left Mailing List mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Archived at http://www.cat.org.au/lists/leftlink/ Sponsored by Melbourne's New International Bookshop Subscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=subscribe%20leftlink Unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=unsubscribe%20leftlink
