Australia and South Pacific
Australia lines up with US for war with China
By Peter Symonds, February 11, 2012
The Australian defence posture report is the latest sign of the Obama administration’s aggressive push against China on all fronts.
Australian government instability points to worsening political crisis
By Mike Head, February 10, 2012
The volatile political situation has deep roots, inseparably bound up with the US-backed removal of Rudd as prime minister in 2010.
Australian coal loader workers continue industrial action
By Richard Phillips, February 9, 2012
Strikes are continuing at the Port Kembla Coal Terminal, while coal miners in central Queensland’s Bowen Basin voted last week to strike.
Protest in New Zealand city over earthquake recovery fiasco
By John Braddock, February 9, 2012
The protest expressed increasing anger among residents, almost a year after the 6.4 magnitude earthquake that devastated Christchurch.
Australia community workers awarded delayed “equal pay” rise
By Will Morrow, February 8, 2012
So-called “historic” pay rises granted to social and community sector workers will be staggered over nearly nine years, still leaving the workers extremely underpaid.
Thousands evacuated as floods hit north-eastern Australia
By Richard Phillips, February 7, 2012
Heavy rains have struck north-eastern Australia, engulfing numerous towns, killing a young mother and forcing thousands to evacuate.
New wave of job losses in Australia
By Alex Messenger, February 6, 2012
Backed by the Gillard government, the corporate elite is using the economic crisis to carry through wholesale cost-cutting to match the austerity measures being imposed on workers internationally.
Australian intelligence agencies prepare for political upheaval
By Mike Head, February 6, 2012
The review warned the Gillard government that the tumultuous events of 2011 had revealed how difficult it was for intelligence agencies to anticipate the collapse of seemingly stable political orders.
Australian defence review prepares for war with China
By James Cogan, February 4, 2012
The Gillard government is thrusting Australia into the frontline of a potential war for dominance in the Asian region.
Australia: Coal terminal workers strike over enterprise agreement
By Richard Phillips, February 3, 2012
The union’s main concern is to limit the dispute as it engages in closed-door talks with management.
Police evict Occupy protesters in two New Zealand cities
By John Braddock, February 3, 2012
The crackdown, like similar police operations internationally, is an attack on basic democratic rights.
Australian constitutional proposals will worsen Aboriginal oppression
By Mike Head, February 3, 2012
Far from addressing the appalling conditions of indigenous Australians, the amendments would authorise the imposition of regressive programs such as the Northern Territory intervention.
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