Oceania
Hundreds die in disease outbreaks in Papua New Guinea
By Frank Gaglioti, September 12, 2009
Outbreaks of dysentery, influenza and cholera have hit remote communities in the northern Morobe Province of Papua New Guinea in recent weeks. According to local authorities, more than 400 people have...
Australia: Bail denial in terrorism case sets dangerous new precedent
By Mike Head, September 11, 2009
Three men accused of a terrorist conspiracy have been denied bail, with a magistrate saying they were politically opposed to the existing legal and political system.
Australia: Ambulance union sells out MICA paramedics campaign
By Terry Cook, September 10, 2009
The federal and state Labor governments, acting in concert with the Ambulance Employees Association (AEA), mounted a major operation this week to suppress a campaign by around 300 paramedics in defenc...
Australian car parts maker goes into administration
By Terry Cook, September 8, 2009
The jobs of hundreds of workers at car parts manufacturer ACL are in jeopardy after it went into voluntary administration despite a government bailout.
Australia: New details about “SIEV 36” refugee deaths expose official lies
By Richard Phillips, September 8, 2009
Detailed information about the explosion on a fishing vessel carrying Afghan refugees off the north-west coast of Australia last April underscores the seamless transition that has taken place from the...
Australian government downplays huge oil slick
By Frank Gaglioti, September 7, 2009
A major oil and gas rupture from the West Atlas mobile offshore drilling rig off the northwestern coast of Australia is threatening to become a major environmental disaster. The leakage is unlikely to...
Australia: Specialist paramedics threatened with punitive sanctions
By Margaret Rees and Patrick O’Connor, September 7, 2009
Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance paramedics met in Melbourne, Victoria on Saturday and resolved to proceed with their planned resignations, to take effect this Wednesday, in protest over a proposed ind...
Australia: International students protest lack of access to student concession cards
By Mathew Benn, September 4, 2009
Hundreds of international students protested in Sydney and Melbourne on Wednesday to demand access to the same student concession cards provided to domestic students.
Australia: Bushfire investigation report a whitewash
By Richard Phillips, September 4, 2009
The Victorian royal commission’s interim report into the February 7 bushfires makes no criticism of the state government, and its predecessors, whose policies are responsible for the tragic loss of ...
Australian companies write down $47 billion
By Alex Messenger, September 3, 2009
There have been massive corporate write-downs in the mining and property sectors, yet economists say that the downturn has already come and gone.
Australia: Workers protest against Labor government assault on safety laws
By our correspondents, September 2, 2009
Workers in several cities demonstrated yesterday against moves by the Australian government to undermine occupational health and safety legislation. The trade unions, however, are merely seeking a pla...
Former Solomon Islands attorney general challenges Australian government
Evidence backs Julian Moti’s allegation of “politically-motivated” charges
By Patrick O'Connor, September 2, 2009
International and constitutional law expert and former attorney general of the Solomon Islands Julian Moti is applying for statutory rape charges brought by the Australian government to be thrown out ...
