Febriana Firdaus reports (Al Jazeera 19 August 2019) about what happened in West Papua during Indonesia’s Independence Day. West Papuans are fighting the occupation of their home. The unrest begun after Indonesian soldiers taunted students with racial comments, fired tear gas and arrested many rof raing the banned Morning Star flag. Despite years of suppression, it is clear that the independence movement is gaining strength and the participation of larger numbers of West Papuans. Continue reading Fiery protests erupt West Papua
Some use freedom of religion as a cover for discrimination and domination
By Joe Montero
I am reluctant to get into any debate about religion. Although not religious myself, I recognise the importance of respecting the views of those of faith. There is a lot we can have in common about important issues. Continue reading Some use freedom of religion as a cover for discrimination and domination
Morrison’s attack on GetUp is still on
By Ugly
I have been a supporter of GetUp for some time and I make a regular financial contribution. Tens of thousands of people like me keep the online activist network alive. Continue reading Morrison’s attack on GetUp is still on
Letter reveals more of Morrison’s move towards big brother government
By Jim Hayes
The big brother style of the Scott Morrison government continues to become entrenched. From carrying on the restrictions on basic freedoms, like the right to be presumed innocent until convicted by evidence, increased surveillance of citizens, curtailing the right of journalists to report the truth as they see it, to orchestrating political politically motivated police raids. Continue reading Letter reveals more of Morrison’s move towards big brother government
United States lifts its attack on Venezuela
by Joe Montero
Last week, Donald Trump issued his Executive Order to “block the property of the government of Venezuela,” and authorised sanctions on persons, companies and nations, said to provide support for the Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro, and this included a naval blockade on ships taking cargo into Venezuela. Continue reading United States lifts its attack on Venezuela
Witness K lawyer has been committed to stand trial
By Adam Carlton
Lawyer and former ACT Attorney General, Bernard Collaery, has been committed to stand trial. His alleged crime? to defend a former spy, who leaked the fact that Australia was bugging the meetings of the cabinet of the government of East Timor. Continue reading Witness K lawyer has been committed to stand trial
Keeping on pretending the economy is good is self-defeating
By Joe Montero
Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) retail sales figures released on 2 August confirm that the nation is entering the worst retail trade period ever recorded. In a nutshell, the Australian the economy is in real trouble. Continue reading Keeping on pretending the economy is good is self-defeating
Victoria’s teachers to support student strikers for climate
Contributed by a member of the Australian Education union
The Victorian Branch of the Australian Education Union (AEU) has thrown its support behind the next school students climate strike, which is going to take place on 20 September. The AEU is the union that represents teachers across Australia.
School students are timing their walk out of the classroom for shortly before the United Nations Climate Summit, and will joining similar action by school students across a range of countries.
The Climate Summit, which will happen on 23 November, is supposed to be the defining moment, where global agreement to accelerate implementing the terms of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change is supposed to take place. But this is far from a foregone conclusion, in the face of pressure from vested interests and reluctant governments.
Our young have a vital role in calling out, exposing and making those who wish to prevent change pull back, and allow humanity to steer a course away from disaster.
The union’s support came at a Sate Council meeting, where it was unanimously agreed, “to ensure students participating in…are afforded their democratic rights and can do so safely.” A union delegation will be sent to the 20 September march in the city.
Union members are to be encouraged to attend the strike associated march, organise a workplace action and use social media to show support. Most importantly, members are being asked to make it as easy as possible for students in terms of classroom content.
The school student strikers are acting for the third time since late last year, because they believe that we are now in a climate crisis, and have no other choice but to take decisive action, to push for a serious reduction in carbon emissions.
Government moves to open up to produce more coal, oil and gas is raising the level of anger and determination. The fact that it is young people who will inherit the damage, has driven home a high level of awareness and recognition of the seriousness of the problem need to now and in a big enough way.
Being less blinkered than some older people, they know that we are already hurting from climate change and that it is going to get much worse, if not enough is done.
Consequently, the school strikers are calling for a fair and swift transition from fossil fuels, to hundred percent renewable energy.
This time around they are asking adults to join them by at least taking a day off work.
Video: Families demand answers about debts Centrelink says are owed by disability pensioners
Centrelink’s robo debt stem is continuing to hurt Australians. Here are some examples that show the situation is getting worse, even though there is widepread recognition that the debts are often false, unfair and punish innocent vulnerable people. Failure to to put stop to this reveals we have a government short on compassion an big on cash grabbing for what it considers more important purposes. Continue reading Video: Families demand answers about debts Centrelink says are owed by disability pensioners
Colombian paramilitaries crossed the border and assassinated six Venezuelans on 27 July
by Joe Montero
Late in the morning, on July 28, Kevin Navas Rodriguez and a group of friends were on the Tipoco Reserve, off the main highway at Sucre (Barinas State in Venezuela). Continue reading Colombian paramilitaries crossed the border and assassinated six Venezuelans on 27 July