LL:ART: MAY DAY: A DAY TO SHOW THE FLAG
May Day -- a day to show the flag The following EDITORIAL was published in "The Guardian", newspaper of the Communist Party of Australia in its issue of Wednesday, April 21st, 1999. Contact address: 65 Campbell Street, Surry Hills. Sydney. 2010 Australia. Phone: (612) 9212 6855 Fax: (612) 9281 5795. Email: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Webpage: http://www.peg.apc.org/~guardian Subscription rates on request. ** May Day has been celebrated for more than one hundred years in Australia. From the very first demonstration by shearers at Barcaldine in Queensland in 1891 it has been a workers' day with working class banners, slogans and flags -- the red flag of the revolutionary movement for socialism and the blue flag and southern cross of the Eureka Stockaders who fought for democratic rights. The right to vote owes much to the Eureka miners. Last years' demonstration was held during the MUA dispute and large crowds participated in the May Day marches around Australia. It was a proud day marking the tenacious struggle of waterfront workers against a malicious employer and government. This year another event -- the NATO aggression against Yugoslavia and its consequences faces every man and woman throughout the world. This is not to underestimate the importance of such issues as the GST, the privatisation of Telstra and the intention of the government to introduce a "second wave" of anti-working class industrial legislation. There is also the important issue of the right of the East Timorese people to independence from Indonesian occupation and annexation. Slogans about these issues are expected to feature prominently on the placards of the many organisations which participate in the May Day march. It is the bombing of Yugoslavia which will have the most far- reaching consequences although it may seem far away for many. The NATO aggression signals a major offensive by the US and European imperialist countries to try to re-establish their domination of the whole world. The attack on Yugoslavia has nothing to do with Albanian refugees. Their plight is only the excuse and phoney justification for the bombing. They are merely pawns in the game being played. If the NATO powers succeed in occupying Yugoslavia -- and that is their intention, and not merely Kosovo -- a campaign against Russia, the Ukraine and Belarus will then be unleashed. If that were to succeed the overthrow of socialism in China and the re- colonisation of the whole of Asia and the Middle East would follow. This is why the stakes are very high in Yugoslavia. That country is in the front line of the struggle to defeat the objective of NATO to establish its world domination. The attempts to achieve a peaceful settlement by Russia have been rejected by NATO out of hand. In rejecting these peace proposals, NATO leaders make it clear that they demand nothing less than the complete capitulation and occupation of Yugoslavia by NATO troops. Our slogans should be "STOP THE BOMBING". "HANDS OFF YUGOSLAVIA". At the same time we cannot neglect the important issues before the Australian Parliament. At the forefront is the GST and the privatisation of Telstra. The Australian Democrats and Senator Harradine are prepared to accept the GST providing there are some major changes but there is no such thing as a fair GST. Inevitably if the principle of a GST is established, even with some protection for low income earners, these protective measures will be eroded as time goes on. The whole aim of a GST is to shift taxes from the wealthy and from companies to the working people. The only correct position is that of the Labor Party which calls for the rejection of the GST in principle. Our slogans should be: "REJECT THE GST", "THERE IS NO FAIR GST", "KEEP TELSTRA PUBLIC", "REPEAL ANTI-TRADE UNION LEGISLATION". May Day is also an international day for workers around the world and there will be very large demonstrations in the cities of every continent. In Johannesburg, Santiago, New York, Paris, London, Berlin, Athens, Damascus, Moscow, Beijing, Hanoi, Delhi, Calcutta and many other cities and towns the red flags of the working peoples' organisations will fly together with innumerable banners carrying the demands of the people in each country. The people's movements and struggles are growing in every country without exception. Capitalist exploitation, the impoverishment of millions, mass unemployment and now a monstrous, illegal and aggressive war are all reasons why every reader of "The Guardian" should set aside other considerations and join the marches on May Day. Let everyone "show the flag". One of our slogans should be "WORKERS OF ALL COUNTRIES, UNITE!" The Guardian 65 Campbell Street, Surry Hills. 2010 Australia. Email: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Website: http://www.peg.apc.org/~guardian -- Leftlink - Australia's Broad Left Mailing List mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.alexia.net.au
LL:ART: YUGOSLAV ROUND-UP
YUGOSLAV ROUND-UP The following articles were published in "The Guardian", newspaper of the Communist Party of Australia in its issue of Wednesday, April 28TH, 1999. Contact address: 65 Campbell Street, Surry Hills. Sydney. 2010 Australia. Phone: (612) 9212 6855 Fax: (612) 9281 5795. Email: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Webpage: http://www.peg.apc.org/~guardian Subscription rates on request. ** 1. MORE BLOOD ON NATO'S HANDS 2. TOTALLY OPPOSED TO THE WAR -- ALEKA PAPARIGA 3. SORTING THE REAL ISSUES 4. ARAB CPs CALL FOR POLITICAL SOLUTION 5. NATO'S "HUMANITARIAN" BOMBING -- PROF. MECHEL CHOSSUDOVSKY 6. APPEAL FROM COMMUNISTS OF MACEDONIA. *** BRUTAL AGGRESSION: MORE BLOOD ON NATO'S HANDS As the savage bombing of Yugoslavia entered its second month and the heads of NATO countries celebrated the war alliance's 50th year and its war against a small sovereign country, they marked the anniversary by stepping up the murderous bombing campaign and threatening to impose an oil blockade. US President Clinton and British Prime Minister Blair have emerged as the principle war-mongers, urging many less enthusiastic NATO countries to "keep up the pressure" and "see it through to the end". The American commander of the NATO forces, Wesley Clarke, is the most bellicose of all, authorising the indiscriminate bombing of a multitude of civilian targets such as water supplies, schools, ordinary factories, a fertiliser plant, homes, trains, bridges and Belgrade TV broadcasters. In a clear attempt at assassination, NATO cruise missiles bombed the home of the Yugoslav President, confirming that individual assassination is still a weapon of US policy. The NATO meeting in Washington also decided to eliminate the reference in NATO's charter that "The Alliance is purely defensive in purpose: None of its weapons will ever be used except in self-defence." This has been replaced by a decision to authorise the use of NATO forces anywhere in the world. That decision is a warning to all nations that NATO could intervene militarily in any country which pursues policies not acceptable to the US-NATO leaders. It signals that other wars are to follow should NATO succeed in destroying Yugoslavia and forcing it into submission. The intention to enforce an oil embargo is yet another illegal act and a provocation directed against Russia which is shipping oil through the Yugoslav province of Montenegro. Once again it indicates that NATO is prepared to violate all accepted laws of international behaviour. And once again the United Nations is ignored. Not only is the bombing destroying Yugoslavia's economy and infrastructure, but it is having catastrophic consequences on the economies of other Balkan countries. The destruction of bridges into the River Danube has halted normal shipping traffic -- the Danube is a main artery of trade between Balkan countries. As is to be expected, the tourist trade to Balkan countries has plummeted. These consequences will not concern either the US or Britain who are a long way from the frontline. In fact, the disruption and weakening of the economies of European countries helps to achieve one of the objectives of the US, which is to maintain its economic and political dominance over Europe. Anger and opposition to NATO aggression is growing throughout the world with massive demonstrations continuing in many countries. These are not now being reported by the Australian media which faithfully follows the CNN-NATO propaganda line of half thruths, outright lies and cover-ups. Anti-fascists in Israel have condemned the bombing, noting: "Fifty eight years ago, the Nazi German air force bombed Belgrade to enforce their hegemonic rule over all of eastern Europe. The Nazi Wehrmacht set up the puppet states of Croatia and Bosnia- Herzegovina and instigated them against the Serb population which fought a heroic struggle against the Nazi occupation." The parallels with NATO's policies towards Yugoslavia today are clear and ominous. An appeal by the Trade Union Confederation of Serbia says: "We workers, members of trade unions and citizens of Belgrade, have gathered at this big rally to protest against the brutal aggression on the Republics of Serbia and Yugoslavia. "As workers and trade unionists, whose voice is the voice of reason, peace and justice, we are appealing to you to help us stop the criminal bombings of our country and safeguard our right to live and work. "We are appealing to all trade unions in the world to demand that their governments stop this madness and try to find a peaceful, political and just solution for Kosovo, fully respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our country." The New Communist Party of Yugoslavia sends its thanks to "all communist, workers, revolutionary, guerrilla and anti-imperialist organisations in the world which support the Socialist Republic of Yugoslavia by organising demonstrations and other actions ag
LL:DDS: SOLIDARITY WITH EAST TIMOR - JOIN THE ADELAIDE MAY DAY MARCH
MAY DAY & EAST TIMOR May Day is the day of the year that we celebrate the victories of ordinary people over all forms of tyrranny and exploitation - whether it be by unjust employers or colonial &/or fascist regimes On this day we also commemorate those who have been imprisoned, tortured, raped or murdered because they have been involved in struggles for justice, healthy and safe working conditions, independence, democracy etc. East Timor is one such struggle that must be remembered because each day we hear further atrocities committed against its people by the militias and the army of the Indonesian dictatorship. The Campaign for an Independent East Timor (South Australia will have a contingent at the Adelaide May Day March this coming Saturday, 1 May. * JOIN THE EAST TIMOR CONTINGENT AT YOUR MAY DAY MARCH * WEAR A BALCK ARMBAND TO COMMEMORATE THE GENOCIDE THAT HAS OCCURRED IN EAST TIMOR (since the illegal invasion by the forces of the Indonesian dictatorship) * BRING APPROPRIATE PLACARDS & BANNERS * MAKE THE FOLLOWING DEMANDS: 1. All militias to be disarmed and disbanded 2. Withdrawal of all Indonesian forces before any act of self determination occurs 3. Stop all military cooperation with the Indonesian dictatorship 4. Australian support for a strong and effective UN peace making (security restoring) contingent to ensure that there is peace and that the East Timorese are able to determine their future free of terror and coercion 5. Pressure Indonesia to free Xanana Gusmao so that he may participate in further UN peace negotiations (so far there have been no East Timorese representatives involved in these talks) 6. Support for international relief programmes to adequately meet the humanitarian needs of the East Timorese (especially surgical teams to assist those who have been attacked by the militias) MAY DAY RALLY/EVENTS, ADELAIDE SATURDAY FIRST MAY 1999 10AMMARCH: ASSEMBLE VICTORIA SQUARE 11AMRALLY: RYMILL PARK Speakers, Trade Union Choir (including a speaker from CIET) Displays/Stalls/Food & Drink 7pm DINNER: BISHOP AUDITORIUM TRADES HALL 11 SOUTH TCE ADELAIDE Speakers/Band/Dancing COST: $20 Cheryl Scopazzi (83444788 or 0418859615) (Table for PSA/ASU, contact Andy 259) URGENT: WE NEED NUMBERS ALMOST IMMEDIATELY SUNDAY 2 MAY 10AMDEDICATION AT WORKERS' MEMORIAL BLACK DIAMOND CORNER CNR PORT RD & COMMERCIAL ST PORT ADELAIDE BACKGROUND: It is crucial that every progressive and caring person who values human rights attends their nearest May Day Rally & March to demonstrate solidarity with East Timor. John Howard is having talks with Habibie on Bali this week. His government has had a history of assisting the Indonesian dictatorship militarily and diplomat- ically. His comments before going to Bali give little hope that he will make any great effort to stand by the East Timorese, our valiant World War 2 allies. This is especially so when he said that human rights for the East Timorese can only occur in the context of Australia's national interest. This must be great comfort for the East Timorese who have suffered at the hands of this dictatorship, its army and its militias. Every day we hear of terrorism, torture and horrific murders as the crumbling regime of Habibie, Alatas, Wiranto and Suharto desperately tries to hold on to East Timor. (Yes, Suharto, a good mate of Habibie, is still there behind the scenes and he is using some of his ill gotten wealth to help the dictatorship fund the murderous militias. The militias are comprised of criminal and traiterous East Timorese, West Timorese (ie Indonesians) and Indonesian soldiers) Add to that, there are still about 20,000 troops in East Timor. The Indonesian army is not going to crack down on the militias - they created them in the first place and are paying them and organising them. Obtain further information from the: Campaign for an Independent East Timor (SA) Phone: 08 83443511 (Secretary) Pager: 08 84157467 (Information Officer) Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] LL.SE -- Leftlink - Australia's Broad Left Mailing List mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.alexia.net.au/~www/mhutton/index.html Sponsored by Melbourne's New International Bookshop Subscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=subscribe%20leftlink Unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTE
LL:AA: Centrelink changes for prisoners
Dear Friends, very soon, in fact it could be as soon as next week, the Federal Government will seek through legislation to have the Centrelink 'double' payment for prisoners upon release changed. The Prisoners Advisory Support Service firmly believes that it is not only in the interest of the offender, but for the whole community, that the current ' double' Centrelink payment upon release is maintained. On the day of release the Ex-prisoner receives a double payment. The following week there is a one week payment that has to last for two weeks, then every fortnight the ordinary payment is made. Centrelinks own information says of this double payment...' is in recognition of the difficulties which such claimants are likely to experience in providing for themselves and their dependents (if any) in the initial period when they are attempting to re establish themselves in the community'. Over a period of five weeks, only five weeks of payments are provided. The double payment upon release greatly assists with budgetting. In Western Australia this removal of the double payment will greatly impact on the most needy and marginalised group of people. Those who upon release who have to find accommodation, food, clothing, employment, friends, and support. With a lack of community skills, and institutionalisation as the only benefit of prison, these people who have been deprived of money for the past months or more, now have to budget with little or no income. In this climate of poverty, high risk situations of crime will be ever present. A reduced state budget within the prison welfare sector will only further increase demands upon other welfare agents such as The Salvos, City Mission, Outcare and others. We can't see compassionate corporations becoming involved in this matter of concern. To match this decrease in support the government is reducing its own level of compassion. This is not about an extra payment. This is about genuine needs. I have spoken to Centrelink and confirmed that currently Ex-prisoners onlt receive 5 weeks payments over five weeks, the first week is a double up the next single payment has to last two weeks. For further information, please contact Brian Steels 0419907016 or email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Please lobby against these changes, let your local people know how difficult things are in the real world. http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Olympus/8438/index.html -- Leftlink - Australia's Broad Left Mailing List mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.alexia.net.au/~www/mhutton/index.html Sponsored by Melbourne's New International Bookshop Subscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=subscribe%20leftlink Unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=unsubscribe%20leftlink
LL:ART: Aust workers receiving lower wage rises: study
http://www.smh.com.au/breaking/19990427/A56806-1999Apr27.shtml Aust workers receiving lower wage rises: study Source: AAP | Published: Tuesday April 27 4:01:04 PM Australian workers are receiving lower wage rises through enterprise bargaining, according to the latest study of major new federal agreements by HSBC Australia. The average annualised wage increase of major new federal agreements rose by an estimated 3.5 per cent in the March quarter, according to the HSBC Wages Report. The preliminary result was down from 4.4 per cent for agreements reached in the December quarter. HSBC economist Grant Fitzner said the result, together with some major agreements paying increases of two per cent per annum or less, suggests lower inflationary expectations are becoming more firmly entrenched in the wage bargaining process. But Mr Fitzner also said the "significant minority" of agreements resulting in rises of two per cent or less may suggest that low paid workers are losing bargaining power in negotiating agreements. "A lot of these employees who are accepting what are obviously very low increases tend to be young, or women or casual employees," Mr Fitzer said. "That's surprising in a way because those employees are getting less than they would under the safety net, unless of course they're getting other trade-offs like improved leave and so forth as well as a straight wage increase. Last May, the Industrial Relations Commission awarded so-called safety net rises of between $10 and $14 per week to low paid workers. "It's surprising because you would have thought the safety net would have set a floor for wage bargaining at around the two per cent mark roughly." The survey results are based on 10 major agreements covering approximately 35,000 employees, HSBC said. "Seven major new private sector agreements covered around 30,750 employees and averaged (a wage rise of) 3.5 per cent per employee, down from 3.7 per cent in Q4 and 3.9 per cent in Q3," the report said. "Three major new public sector agreements covered just 4,600 employees and averaged 3.3 per cent per employee." HSBC said the number of agreements appears to reflect the lower pace of agreement-making in the March quarter, with bargaining rounds in several key sectors concluded, and new rounds yet to begin or not yet at certification stage. -- Leftlink - Australia's Broad Left Mailing List mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.alexia.net.au/~www/mhutton/index.html Sponsored by Melbourne's New International Bookshop Subscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=subscribe%20leftlink Unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=unsubscribe%20leftlink
LL:DDN: Sister Helen Prejean on Radio 2XX
Attention: Activists - Tune in & Pass it On Key Social Justice Speakers on Alternative Radio including Sister Helen Prejean speaking on -Death Row - for Alternative Radio USA on 2XX Community Radio 1008AM 9:00am Thursday 29 April Sister Helen Prejean is the guest speaker on this Thursday edition of Alternative Radio USA brought to you by Community Radio 2XX. Nobel Peace Prize nominee, Sister Helen Prejean is a very lively nun who talks about both sides of the tragedy of murder, serving as spritual counsellor to death row inmates and the families of victims. She is the author of the best selling book Dead Man Walking, based on her experiences transgressing the Death Row and civil society divide. The book was made into a Hollywood movie of the same name. Mahatma Ghandi said " An eye for an eye leaves everyone blind". No one seems so blind toward capital punishment as Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, China and the United States - the only five countries to withhold their vote in the United Nations for a moratorium on the death penalty. An Amnesty International investigation concluded that the death penalty in the United States is applied arbitrarily and is subject to bias based on the defendant's race and economic status. In this address recorded by David Barsamian for Alternative Radio USA, Sister Helen Prejean examines the practice of capital punishment, drawing on life stories from Death Row and the detail of Amnesty International investigations in the United States. Alternative Radio USA is produced weekly in Denver, Colorado and broadcast by Community Radio 2XX each Thursday morning following the 9:00am 2XX News Bulletin. Alternative Radio USA brings leading critical thinkers, authors and activists recorded on left progressive speaking tours of North America to an international audience though a weekly, hour long, key note address broadcast on community radio stations through out the English speaking world. For further information phone Maeve Wingate, 6247 4082 2XX - People Powered Community Radio http://www.peg.apc.org/~2xxrad LL.ND -- Leftlink - Australia's Broad Left Mailing List mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.alexia.net.au/~www/mhutton/index.html Sponsored by Melbourne's New International Bookshop Subscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=subscribe%20leftlink Unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=unsubscribe%20leftlink
LL:DDV: NO TOLLS PROTEST THIS SUNDAY
Comrades, This Sunday, May 2nd at 11am, the Moreland City Council, Moonee Valley City Council, Carlo Carli MP, Judy Maddigan MP & Peter Batchelor MP invite you to: "Commemorate the death of the Tullamarine FREEWAY by joining a funeral procession from Ormond Park, Moonee Ponds, along the Tullamarine Freeway to Moreland Rd and back." The location of Ormond Park is on Ormond Rd, Moonee Ponds (melways Ref 29 A3) For more information please call Chris on 0412606691 Christopher Anderson Office of Carlo Carli MLA Labor Spokesperson on Information Technology & Multimedia email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 65 Moreland Rd, Coburg, AUSTRALIA, 3058 Ph: +61 3 93841241 Fax: +61 3 93840481 Mobile: +61 412606691 Carlo Carli MLA - http://www.vicnet.net.au/~ccarli Victorian Labor: New Solutions - http://www.vic.alp.org.au LL.VE -- Leftlink - Australia's Broad Left Mailing List mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.alexia.net.au/~www/mhutton/index.html Sponsored by Melbourne's New International Bookshop Subscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=subscribe%20leftlink Unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=unsubscribe%20leftlink
LL:ART: Consent-free research proposed
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/index.asp?URL=3D/national/4289538.htm Consent-free research proposed By MARK RAGG 21apr99 AUSTRALIANS could be subjected to medical research without their consent if changes before the world's leading doctors' body are approved. That changes being considered by the World Medical Association would abrogate a principle established after Nazi experimentation in World War II. Other changes being considered by the association, which comprises more than 60 groups including the Australian Medical Association, include the right to withhold treatment on economic grounds. The changes were recommended initially by the association's medical ethics committee and were put to the WMA council in Santiago, Chile, last week. The council decided to present them to the association's general assembly in Israel in October. If passed, they would have great influence on how medical research is conducted throughout the world. They would also strongly influence the policies of the AMA and of Australian ethics committees, which approve proposals from Australian researchers. The AMA has not yet seen the proposed changes. The proposals come as some Western doctors' behaviour in carrying out research in the developing world has been called unethical. For example, US-based researcher Harry Heimlich wanted to inject live malarial parasites into people with HIV. He was refused permission in the US, so he conducted the experiment in China. Some US-funded trials in Asia investigating the transmission of HIV from pregnant women to their children have withheld the drug AZT, a known effective treatment. Internationally, the standard for medical research ethics is the WMA's 1964 Declaration of Helsinki (since amended three times). The proposal seeks to rewrite this, giving researchers far greater control and fewer restrictions. Helsinki stated: "The physician should . . . obtain the subject's freely given informed consent, preferably in writing." Under the changes, researchers could avoid that if they believe "the research involves only slight risk, (or) when the procedures to be used are customarily used in the practise of medicine without documentation of= consent". Helsinki said: "In any medical study, every patient . . . should be assured of the best proven diagnostic and therapeutic method." The proposal is that subjects "will not be denied access to the best proven diagnostic, prophylactic or therapeutic method that would otherwise be available to him or her". Those italicised words allow doctors to carry out research in less privileged areas =AD whether in developing nations or in parts of Australia = =AD while not offering the best possible healthcare to the participants in the research. -- Leftlink - Australia's Broad Left Mailing List mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.alexia.net.au/~www/mhutton/index.html =20 Sponsored by Melbourne's New International Bookshop Subscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=3Dsubscribe%20leftlink Unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=3Dunsubscribe%20leftlink
LL:DDS: UTLC ACTIVITIES
UTLC ACTIVITES Wed. 28th April ICFTU vigil OHS International Day of Mourning south parklands opposite Trades Hall 11 Soth Tce. 12.30 with focus on plight of female workers. Comments from Ann Drohan President of UTLC Sandra Dann WWC. UTLC enthused by Adelaide Concert of Billy Bragg who included in his introduction to "There is power in the Union" the events against the Olsen Government's reactionary and controversial Industrial Laws in Parliament and Reith's second wave of Industrial amendments. Billy Bragg ended by urging attendance at the May Day Rally this Saturday, 10am Victoria Suqare march to Rymill Park. There is a May Day dinner (pn 82971709 for bookings) and great band at Trades Hall Auditorium 7pm this Sat. At the Showdown May 2nd leaflet distribution "Blow the Whistle on Unfair Work Laws". Contact UTLC 82123155 for details. At a Public Meeting 5.30 pm to 7pm on Friday 21st May Trades Hall hear ACTU President Jennie George on the union campaign against unfair industrial laws and the defence of living standards and work. Political protest against Unfair Work Laws and for a decent quality of life and democracy come to a Rally 12.30pm Thursday June 3 1999 on the steps of SA Parliament House. The SA Workplace Bill will be before Parliament and you are urged to lobby all MPs, independents and Members of the Legislative Council to oppose this Bill. Details of campaign from UTLC 82123155. Chris White LL.SD -- Leftlink - Australia's Broad Left Mailing List mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.alexia.net.au/~www/mhutton/index.html Sponsored by Melbourne's New International Bookshop Subscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=subscribe%20leftlink Unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=unsubscribe%20leftlink
LL:DDV: public meeting on heroin
Dear Comrades PLEASE POST THIS TO RELEVANT SERVERS AND LISTS! HEROIN TOLL OUTRACING THE ROAD TOLL HOWARDS "ZERO TOLERANCE" = "ZERO TREATMENT" !!! HEROIN IS A HEALTH ISSUE, NOT A LEGAL ISSUE !!! On Wednesday May the 5th, the Militant Socialist Organisation is holding a free PUBLIC MEETING on the HEROIN ISSUE at Trades Hall (Victoria) (Cnr Victoria St and Lygon St) starting at 7pm. This meeting follows a rally on Smith St Collingwood last week which was well attended and very well received. The aim of the Trades Hall meeting is to begin a broad based, community wide campaign on the heroin issue, a campaign which will include user groups, support and infrastructure groups, friends and families, students, concerned family members, trade unionists etc etc. We want as many people from as many fields / organisations as possible to attend. Items mooted for consideration in this united front campaign include free state distribution of clean, regulated heroin to registered, long term addicts; the introduction of safe shooting rooms with trained nurses present at all times; the expansion of needle exchange programs; increased funding to existing rehab centres and the creation of new ones; more education in schools and in the wider community etc etc. At present, we are building for this meeting. If anyone has a list of email addresses or web site addresses that we could send a serial email to to inform others of the meeting, please forward it to [EMAIL PROTECTED] as soon as possible. It would be much appreciated if those in the field could pass this email and request on to other groups and concerned individuals, and to all appropriate list servers, discussion groups, discussion pods, bulletin boards, and so on. For further information, call Militant on 9654 3636 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Web: http://werple.net.au/~militant Web: http://werple.net.au/~militant/old WITH COMRADELY GREETINGS, MILITANT Militant PO Box 1015, Collingwood, Victoria 3066, Australia Phone: (03) 9654 3636 E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Web site: http://werple.net.au/~militant LL.VE -- Leftlink - Australia's Broad Left Mailing List mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.alexia.net.au/~www/mhutton/index.html Sponsored by Melbourne's New International Bookshop Subscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=subscribe%20leftlink Unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=unsubscribe%20leftlink
LL DDV: New Opportunitites for the Left
The Democratic Socialist Party, Freedom Socialist Party, Progressive Labour Party and Australian supporters of the Fourth International invite all LeftLinkers to a public meeting: NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE LEFT Speaker: Adam Novak, editor of "International Viewpoint" "International Viewpoint" is a well-respected socialist news analysis magazine published in Paris under the auspices of the United Secretariat of the Fourth International. Thursday 29 April @ 7.30 pm Resistance Centre 14 Anthony Street, Melbourne Plenty of time for discussion. Refreshments available For more information phone John Tully on 9314-0559 LL.VE Leftlink - Australia's Broad Left Mailing List mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.alexia.net.au/~www/mhutton/index.html Sponsored by Melbourne's New International Bookshop Subscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=subscribe%20leftlink Unsub: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=unsubscribe%20leftlink
LL:ART:Defence Force on Y2K alert
>From ABC on-line news on 23/4/99 - in case you've missed it! Defence Force on Y2K alert The entire staff of the Australian Defence Force has had its Christmas-New Year leave put on hold until contingency plans for the year 2000 computer bug are in place. The Defence Force says it is not anticipating mayhem from the glitch but is not turning its back either. A leaked memo shows that for the moment, any Christmas leave for more than 60,000 Defence staff has been frozen. The memo, from the vice chief of the Defence Force, Air Vice Marshall Doug Riding, says plans are being prepared. It is not just a case of Defence looking after itself - personnel will be in place to help the wider community. Senator Ian Campbell, who is overseeing the Government's Y2K program, says the move is in line with hundreds of other large corporations across the country. But he will not say exactly what the military will be needed for. "I'm not prepared to speculate at the moment and what we're doing now with 252-odd days to go is making contingencies and looking at those contingencies, there's a whole range of them," he said. "To speculate about what sort of risks are particularly involved doesn't even help anybody at this stage." The Defence Force says it hopes to finalise by next month how many staff will be needed on stand-by. Colonel Keith Jobson, the director general of Defence public affairs, says rather than troops being required in large numbers, it is more likely that teams of specialists will be used. The Government says it is all part of good planning. Communications Minister Richard Alston is confident all provisions will be in place in good time although the latest quarterly report on Y2K readiness shows a number of Government agencies still have a lot of work to do. For instance, the Australian Taxation Office has only repaired one-quarter of its computer systems and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority has also been criticised for lagging behind. Leftlink - Australia's Broad Left Mailing List mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.alexia.net.au/~www/mhutton/index.html Sponsored by Melbourne's New International Bookshop Subscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=subscribe%20leftlink Unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=unsubscribe%20leftlink
LL:DDN:May Parra Politics in the Pub
Parra Politics in the Pub meets again next Tuesday (4th May) at the usual venue of the Woolpack Hotel, corner of George and Marsden Sts, Parramatta - commencing 6.30pm. This month's details are as follows: Topic: East Timor - Why the massacres? What is the solution? What can we do to help? Speakers: Naldo Rai (East Timorese activist) and a representative of FRETILIN As usual there will be plenty of time for questions and discussion. [... Flyer in Word format available on request] Hope to see you there - and if you anyone needs more info - please feel free to contact me by return email or on 9897-3558 (leave a message if I'm not in and I'll get back to you.) Robyn Hohl (for Parra Politics in the Pub) Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Phone: 61 2 9897 3558 LL.NE Leftlink - Australia's Broad Left Mailing List mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.alexia.net.au/~www/mhutton/index.html Sponsored by Melbourne's New International Bookshop Subscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=subscribe%20leftlink Unsub: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=unsubscribe%20leftlink
LL:DDV:Brankov Bridge bombing alert
The Yugoslav news agency Tanjug said today NATO planes have finally destroyed Novi Sad's last remaining bridge across the Danube, Zezeljev Bridge despite Novi Sad residents forming human shields. The people of Belgrade are still guarding the Brankov bridge as a human shields against NATO airstrikes. If Nato does attack this bridge then we must gather in solidarity and defiance. Place: Flinders St SouthBank walk bridge Time: 5pm onwards Date : On day of attack Please bring candles, target signs and solidarity banners South Movement http://southmovement.alphalink.com.au/ LL.VE Leftlink - Australia's Broad Left Mailing List mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.alexia.net.au/~www/mhutton/index.html Sponsored by Melbourne's New International Bookshop Subscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=subscribe%20leftlink Unsub: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=unsubscribe%20leftlink
LL:DDV:Forum: "Is Medicare Sustainable?"
Subject: Forum: "Is Medicare Sustainable?" Date: Fri, 23 Apr 1999 15:00:39 +1000 From: "Richard Dent, VCOSS" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>,<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> The Health Issues Centre is hosting a one-day consultation on the topic "Is Medicare Sustainable?", in association with VCOSS and other community organisations. The date is May 13, the venue is VUT, Flinders Street, City. Further information, and a fax-back registration form, is available at http://www.vcoss.org.au/medicare.html This is a consultation for health consumers and community workers with an interest in health issues. The consultation will also involve medical practitioners with an interest in developing effective consumer-practitioner collaboration. Issues to be covered include the challenges to Medicare, including changes to GP funding; access to public dental care; paying for pharmaceuticals; and the place of private health insurance. There is no charge, but places are limited. Some funding is available to assist people from rural areas to attend. Please contact Diane Lowther at Health Issues Centre on (03) 9614 0500. --- Richard Dent Victorian Council of Social Service (03) 9654 5050 phone (03) 9654 5749 fax LL.VE Leftlink - Australia's Broad Left Mailing List mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.alexia.net.au/~www/mhutton/index.html Sponsored by Melbourne's New International Bookshop Subscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=subscribe%20leftlink Unsub: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=unsubscribe%20leftlink
