Chile votes overwhelmingly for a new constitution to be decided by elected community delegates
By Joe Montero
Chile has been in political turmoil since the uprising against the brutal crackdown of police and army just over a year ago. It began with a protest of school students against a metro fare hike, and quickly grew into a massive movement for an end to the circumstances that kept much of the population economically impoverished and denied basic human rights. Continue reading Chile votes overwhelmingly for a new constitution to be decided by elected community delegates
The Dutton ASIO bill is a chilling attack on democracy
By Ugly
A team of top barristers has issued a scathing review of Peter Dutton’s push to give his spy agency ASIO sweeping new powers to track, spy on and question citizens. Continue reading The Dutton ASIO bill is a chilling attack on democracy
Centrelink call centre workers have been sacked as new contract is handed to Serco
Contributed
At a time when one would think it a priority to meet the needs of people out of work, the Morrison government is ultimately responsible for the cutting 420 jobs at Centrelink call centres in Melbourne. Continue reading Centrelink call centre workers have been sacked as new contract is handed to Serco
Bolivia scores big election win against party of the military coup
By Jim Hayes
Bolivia might be a small south American country. But the stakes in this Sunday’s election were high for the country, the region, and the United States. This made it an immensely important political event, which will have far spread repercussions. Continue reading Bolivia scores big election win against party of the military coup
A critical view of Modern Monetary Theory
By Joe Montero
As the reality of the biggest economic and job crisis experienced since the Great Depression hits home, and the failure of economic policy to address the underlying problems over decades becomes increasingly obvious, interest in alternative approaches to economic policy has grown. Continue reading A critical view of Modern Monetary Theory
Employer groups want cut in working conditions and wages
Contributed
Pressure from leading employer groups for industrial relations changes, which will lead to the casualisation of more work and lower wages across the board, is building. This is the outcome of talks between the government, employer groups and unions. Continue reading Employer groups want cut in working conditions and wages
A Bill to enable use of foreign troops or foreign police in Australian “emergencies”
Bevan Ramsden is a long-time peace and community activist, and a member of the National Coordinating Committee of IPAN, the Independent and Peaceful Australia Network. Here, he writes about the the plan to increase militarisation of policing in Australia, and especially, the attempt to allow foreign police and troops to be used (Pearls and Irritations 1 October 2020). This would set the ground for major intervention by the United Sates into Australian affairs.
Budget will give to a few and impose a burden on the rest of us
By Joe Montero and Ben Wilson
While delivering this year’s budget, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg put a lot of effort towards trying to convince Australia that everyone is going to be made better off.
It wasn’t hard to work out that this was spin, to counter public hostility, and at the same time, push through the government’s political and economic agenda. Continue reading Budget will give to a few and impose a burden on the rest of us
Economy needs stimulus and attention to the underlying problems
By Joe Montero
Forty-nine eminent economists have called for a budget that provides stimulus to the economy and for the tax cuts, mainly going to the richest Australians, to not go ahead. Continue reading Economy needs stimulus and attention to the underlying problems