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Unionists discuss political ties

BY SEAN MARTIN-IVERSON PERTH — On July 6, 90 people at a Socialist Alliance seminar discussed issues facing unionists today, including refugees, internationalism and fighting anti-worker attacks. The highlight of the event was a session

'True freedom will only come through changes in the system'

BY DAVE McKAY [The author protested at the Woomera detention centre at Easter, then remained in the township of Woomera and set up a "Refugee Embassy", visiting the detainees and writing of their situation. This abridged statement was written on

CANADA: Anti-G8 protesters demand open borders

BY KAREN FLETCHER OTTOWA — More than 5000 people braved flooding rain to “take” the Canadian capital, Ottowa, behind the banner “Open the Borders: No-one is Illegal” on June 27, the final day of the G8 leaders' summit. Despite grave

PAKISTAN: Afghanistan war spreads

BY EVA CHENG Pakistan is moving into a new period of political turmoil following the June 26 and July 2 killings of 13 Pakistani soldiers in firefights with al Qaeda forces. According to the June 27 Washington Post, the June 26

Howard sets pace for Europe's mainstream racists

Howard sets pace for Europe's mainstream racists When asked on his arrival in Frankfurt last week whether he would be defending Australia's approach to asylum seekers during his European trip, Prime Minister John Howard said: “I

Support the nurses!

BY MARCEL CAMERON BRISBANE — It's not surprising that Premier Peter Beattie and his ministers have consistently underestimated the anger and determination of nurses. When was the last time a minister had to visit a public hospital outside

and ain't i a woman?: More to history than white men

and ain't i a woman?: More to history than white men There is much more to Australian history than white men. Women fought for (and in many cases won) equality, peace and rights for Indigenous Australians, the peoples of the Third World and

Action updates

Vigil for refugees 1 NEWCASTLE — A chilly night here on July 5 did not prevent 30 people from gathering in Civic Park for a vigil in support of the refugees on hunger strike in the Woomera detention centre. Dave McKay and Cherry from the

AFGHANISTAN: US military massacres villagers again

BY NORM DIXON “We have many children who are injured… Their families are gone… Everyone says their parents are dead.” — with these chilling words a Kandahar hospital nurse described the horror of Washington's latest massacre of Afghan

Pickets pressure Dayson bosses

BY LIAM MITCHELL SYDNEY — Workers at Dayson's compressor re-manufacturing plant in Rydalmere have expressed gratitude to supporters who have been joining them on picket lines at the company's gates. The dispute, over the sacking of seven

FIJI: Vote-buying scam exposed

BY MICHELLE BREAR SUVA — Despite being declared free and fair by international observers, Fiji's 2001 general election was riddled with fraud and corruption. The most recent scandal to emerge involves the interim government spending up to F$30

Voices from East Timor's grassroots

REVIEW BY JON LAND Emails from East TimorDocumentary by Peter MarraWritten and narrated by Dave OwensHandwoven ProductionsOrder from <handwoven@xtra.co.nz> Emails from East Timor is one of a number of new films and books that look at