Egyptian trade unionists have called for demonstrations on January 25, the one year anniversary of the overthrow of Hosni Mubarak. The demands of workers and protestors have not been met by the ruling military regime.
More than a million people have taken to the streets around the globe as part of the Occupy movement. From Seoul to Santa Fe, in so many different languages, the protests expressed the anger felt by millions at the economic crisis and a political class that doesn’t represent their interests.
There is no real freedom of speech in our society, argues James Supple
Amy Thomas analyses the The Greens’ role in left politics since the federal election
On October 15, more than a million people took to the streets around the globe. From Seoul to Santa Fe, in so many different languages, the protests expressed the anger felt by millions at the economic crisis and a political class that doesn’t represent their interests.
Just two months after taking office, Barry O’Farrell and the NSW Liberals have shown their real face, launching a savage attack on public sector workers, something they never mentioned before the election.
The Environmental Protection Agency is set to decide in mid-April if a proposed HRL coal-fired power station in the Latrobe Valley can go ahead. HRL wants to burn a mix of gasified coal and natural gas for power. If approved, it would increase Victoria’s emissions by over 3 per cent a year. State and federal governments have promised the project $150 million in subsidies—money that could go to renewable energy.
As the academic year begins, the Sydney University Student Representative Council (SRC) is under attack from the Liberals. The SRC is the student union on campus at Sydney University.
On January 17, Immigration Minister Chris Bowen announced that a Memorandum of Understanding allowing the Australian government to forcibly return asylum seekers had been signed by Afghanistan, Australia and shamefully, by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees.
A new wave of protests erupted in Tunisia in early February, following the revolution that brought down Ben Ali on January 14. Despite the downfall of the brutal 23-year dictatorship, the old ruling elite is trying to hang onto power.
All welcome, for more info or to register, call Chris on 0403 013 183 or email melbourne [at] solidarity.net.au
11.30am: The economic crisis: over or just beginning?
Australia has so far appeared immune from the economic crisis. But the debt crisis engulfing Europe and the slowing down of “recovery” in the US suggests it isn’t over yet. Shannon Price will take a look at the state of the world economy and what it means for us.
12.30 -1.30pm lunch (note two sessions run simultaneous after lunch at 1.30pm)
1.30pm: Why does racism still exist?
Tony Abbott has sought to win votes in the election by stirring up racism against refugees, and Julia Gillard has followed suit. Both are also agreed on continuing the racist NT Intervention. Jasmine Ali will look at why so many people accept the myths about refugees and Aboriginal people, and how such racism was unknown just a few centuries ago.
1.30pm: Is the working class still a force for change?
The continued relevance of class has been widely attacked in recent decades. The erosion of traditional blue-collar jobs and the strength of trade unions over recent decades has also led to claims that workers no longer had the potential power they once did. Yet inequality in Australia is on the rise and the union Rights at Work campaign to unseat Howard showed that unions still have potential strength. Lucy Honan analyses the working class today and why it retains immense potential power to change society.
3.00 pm Debate: Does there have to be a price on carbon?
From Gillard to the Greens the demand for a ‘price on carbon’ is widespread. Would it make the polluters pay or would it hurt living standards? What would the effect be on emissions? What about regulation and public investment in renewable energy? Can we support both?
4.30pm After the election: Labor, The Greens and the balance of power
In the aftermath of the election, Adam Bandt (newly elected Greens MP) & James Supple (Solidarity) will discuss the result and what it means. If Julia Gillard hangs on what will she be like as prime minister? What difference will it make if the Greens win the balance of power in the Senate? And how can the left rebuild itself and pose and alternative to the neo-liberal politics of Labor in power?
Rudd’s tears at his parting press conference will be the only tears shed for the end of his prime ministership. Arrogant to the end, still believing he was God’s gift to Australian politics, he continued to claim his right to the job due to his election by the Australian people, despite their abandonment of him.
The mining companies’ hysterics are about maintaining their massive profits. This is an issue of class—with the rich defending their wealth from being taken to fund public spending.
The federal government revealed the first projects shortlisted for funding under its Solar Flagships scheme back in May.
Solidarity was saddened to hear of the sudden death of activist and human rights campaigner, Waratah Rose on 22 June. Many people knew Waratah most recently as a passionate supporter of Aboriginal rights. She was planning to join the July anti-Intervention protest in Alice Springs. But her activism spans 40 years.
The Alice Springs Based Intervention Rollback Action group (IRAG) and STICS (Stop the
Intervention Collective Sydney) have condemned the Social Security and Other Legislation
Amendment (Welfare Reform and Reinstatement of Racial Discrimination Act) Bill, expected to pass
through the Senate this week.
Melbourne Anti-Intervention collective forum
Jobs with Justice
With guest speaker Peter Inverway from Kalkarinji, Northern Territory
Friday 11th of June, 6:30pm, Trades Hall, corner Victoria Parade and Lygon Street
The Greens’ Proposal
The Greens have proposed an interim 2 year carbon tax, as a transition to
carbon trading. Starting at $23 per tonne this year, rising to $24 the
following year.
There is a new popular power sweeping Iran. In one of the biggest mass demonstrations since the toppling of the US-backed Shah in 1979, some one million people descended onto the streets of the capital Tehran to protest at an election widely seen as rigged.
