Australia
IYSSE calls on students in Australia to join the demonstrations in defence of Julian Assange
By the IYSSE (Australia), 9 February 2019
The defence of Assange is at the cutting edge of the fight against growing authoritarianism and an assault on democratic rights around the world.
Australia: Tigerair pilots locked in dispute over wages and conditions
By John Harris, 8 February 2019
Tigerair is seeking to set a new benchmark in the assault on the wages and conditions of pilots, a highly-skilled cohort of professionals with immense responsibilities.
Murdoch newspaper approves chief Nazi lawyer’s legal defence of dictatorship
By Richard Hoffman, 8 February 2019
Carl Schmitt was the Nazi crown jurist who prepared legal doctrines justifying the destruction of the Weimar Constitution and the establishment of the Hitler dictatorship.
Chinese billionaire stripped of Australian residency as “foreign interference” campaign ramps up
By James Cogan, 7 February 2019
Huang’s banishment may well be the prelude to the first criminal charges laid against Australian citizens under the “foreign interference” laws.
Australian Labor Party outbids Coalition in big business tax handouts
By Mike Head, 7 February 2019
Far from opposing inequality, Labor governments have spearheaded the slashing of corporate and high-income tax rates.
Australian actor Craig McLachlan’s defamation case postponed following police charges
By Richard Phillips, 7 February 2019
Gold Logie-winning actor Craig McLachlan’s career has been “effectively destroyed” by the #MeToo allegations.
Australia: Bank shares soar after release of report into financial “misconduct”
By James Cogan, 6 February 2019
The 76 recommendations brought down by the banking Royal Commission do not put anyone on trial, let alone capitalism.
Another flammable cladding fire in Australia highlights government failure
By Paul Bartizan, 6 February 2019
The fire at central Melbourne’s NEO200 high-rise apartment was caused by the same flammable panels used on London’s Grenfell Tower.
Australian workers and youth support March rallies in defence of Julian Assange
By our reporters, 5 February 2019
“I support the rally to free Assange. It is important for us to hold this protest to show that we will not tolerate any further attack on our democratic rights.”
Australia: 2,000 homes submerged in Townsville as floodgates open
By Martin Scott, 5 February 2019
Thousands forced to seek emergency accommodation in overcrowded evacuation centres.
Australia: Telstra workers vote on industrial action amid mass sackings
By Oscar Grenfell, 4 February 2019
The unions covering the telecommunications firm have made clear they will seek to enforce its 9,500 job cuts over the next four years.
John Pilger to speak at March 3 Sydney rally to defend Julian Assange
By the Socialist Equality Party (Australia), 2 February 2019
As well as John Pilger, the Sydney rally will be addressed by SEP National Secretary James Cogan. Cogan will also be the main speaker at the demonstration in Melbourne on March 10.
Biloela resident: “It is really important that we stand up”
Australian rural town continues to fight deportation of Tamil refugee family
By Max Newman, 2 February 2019
Biloela residents have been conducting a nearly year-long campaign to free a Tamil family seized by the government from their community.
Australia’s financial press promotes Labor’s shadow treasurer
By Mike Head, 1 February 2019
The promotion of Chris Bowen is another warning of the Labor Party’s preparations to return to office as a totally committed pro-business government.
Footage shows police pointing assault rifles at child detainees in Australia
By Corrine Jensen, 1 February 2019
The footage resembled an aggressive military operation in the neo-colonial wars conducted in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Australian political and media establishment intensifies anti-China campaign
By Oscar Grenfell, 31 January 2019
A coordinated political offensive is underway, aimed at legitimising Australia’s central role in the US confrontation with Beijing.
Stone indictment presents no evidence of links between WikiLeaks and Trump campaign
By James Cogan, 30 January 2019
WikiLeaks is a media organization that exercised the legally-protected rights of the press to published leaked information.
More ministers quit Australia’s disintegrating government
By Mike Head, 30 January 2019
The departures are another indication of the factional war tearing apart the Coalition, and the instability of the entire political establishment.
Australia: Opal Tower builder stops paying hotel fees for some evacuated residents
By John Wilson, 30 January 2019
Engineers for the body corporate have still not signed off on the safety of the apartment block, which was evacuated last month.
Australia: Hundreds of immigration detainees launch hunger strikes
By Eric Ludlow, 26 January 2019
The detainees describe their living conditions as “worse than a prison.”
Imposition of right-wing candidate intensifies turmoil in Australia’s ruling party
By Mike Head, 26 January 2019
Prime Minister Morrison’s imposition of indigenous businessman Warren Mundine as a Liberal Party election candidate is particularly provocative within the context of the factional war raging inside the party.
Fish kills highlight mismanagement of Australian waterways
By Martin Scott, 25 January 2019
Drought alone cannot be blamed for the environmental crisis in the Murray-Darling Basin.
Australia: Port Kembla Coal Terminal locks out workers
By John Harris, 25 January 2019
The union created the conditions for the company attack and has isolated the workers since they were locked-out on Saturday morning.
Rally to demand the Australian government acts to free Julian Assange!
Sydney Martin Place Amphitheatre, 2pm, March 3! Melbourne State Library, 1pm, March 10!
By the Socialist Equality Party (Australia), 25 January 2019
The Australian government has the undeniable duty and power to intervene to secure freedom for Julian Assange. The record has demonstrated, however, that it will take such action only if it is compelled to do so by the greatest pressure from below.
Australia: BlueScope steelworkers vote to strike at Port Kembla
By Oscar Grenfell, 24 January 2019
The Australian Workers Union is trying to isolate the workers and impose a sell-out enterprise agreement.
Lawsuits against Australian government reveal horror in refugee camp
By Max Newman, 24 January 2019
Former Manus Island detention centre security staff members have filed cases alleging physical and psychological harm.
Minister’s resignation highlights unravelling of Australia’s ruling Coalition
By Mike Head, 23 January 2019
Kelly O’Dwyer’s announcement is another sign of political instability.
Migrants in Australia hit by longer welfare wait
By Martin Scott, 22 January 2019
Immigrants in western Sydney, already confronting high unemployment and a lack of affordable housing, now face a four-year wait for welfare benefits.
The Australian newspaper targets Chinese university students
By John Harris, 21 January 2019
The article implied that the victory of a Chinese-born student in a university election expressed the dangers of “Chinese interference” at Australian campuses.
Australia: State government report indicates Opal Tower should not have been reoccupied
By John Wilson, 19 January 2019
While the authors claim the building will not collapse, they detail both major damage and minor damage to the structure of the building.
Australian prime minister’s Pacific visit reinforces militarist line up against China
By Mike Head, 19 January 2019
The trip underscored the bullying nature of the turn by Canberra to reassert its predatory interests in the South West Pacific, and that of Washington, against Beijing.
Australian fake left promote Greens, trade unions and Labor at anti-fascist protest
By our reporters, 19 January 2019
The claim that the Labor and the unions can serve as bulwark against fascism is a dangerous echo of the disastrous Popular Front policies of the Stalinist Parties in the 1930s.
Extreme heatwave hits Australia
By Frank Gaglioti, 18 January 2019
The extended period of high temperatures is having serious impacts on people’s health, as well as agriculture and wildlife.
Signs of slump in Australia overshadow looming election
By Mike Head, 18 January 2019
Regardless of all the promises, a sharp downturn will drive another wave of austerity measures and job-shedding once an election is out of the way.
Australia: Hutchison Ports workers begin work bans in Sydney and Brisbane
By Oscar Grenfell, 17 January 2019
The unions that claim to oppose Hutchison’s latest attacks on wages and conditions have enforced decades of sackings in the stevedoring industry.
Australia: Widespread opposition to violent arrest of elderly Sydney protester
By our reporters, 16 January 2019
Footage of 74-year-old Danny Lim being set upon by three police officers provoked anger on social media.
Engineers disagree on whether Australian high rise is safe to reoccupy
By John Wilson, 15 January 2019
Some residents of Opal Tower in Sydney have moved back in, despite one engineering report advising against it.
Australia: Casual coal miners begin week long strike in Wollongong
By Oscar Grenfell, 14 January 2019
Labor and the unions, which have spearheaded the destruction of full-time jobs, are cynically exploiting the stoppage to posture as opponents of growing casualisation.
Financial warnings point to Australia’s economic and political instability
By Mike Head, 12 January 2019
Two reports raise the spectre of a financial crisis that would blow up the pre-election claims of both the Coalition government and the Labor Party.
Indian fireworks workers protest over layoffs, Pakistan water treatment workers walkout; New Caledonia nickel miners extend strike
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
12 January 2019
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
Corporate media smears WikiLeaks and Julian Assange
By Oscar Grenfell, 11 January 2019
A host of articles attacking Julian Assange this week are representative of what the world-renowned investigative journalist John Pilger aptly described as “Vichy journalism.”
US Senate confirms top-level political “fixer” as ambassador to Australia
By Mike Head, 8 January 2019
Culvahouse’s appointment underscores Washington’s determination to ensure there is not the slightest deviation in Australia’s front line role in any conflict with China.
Evacuated Opal Tower residents in Australia express anger and dismay
By our reporters, 8 January 2019
Residents of Opal Tower in Sydney have been living in temporary accommodation since the discovery of large broken concrete panels in the building.
Australian senator participates in neo-Nazi rally
By Patrick O’Connor, 7 January 2019
Responsibility for the emergence of fascist groupings lies with the entire Australian media and political establishment.
Opal Tower structural flaws expose rot in Australian construction industry
By John Wilson, 7 January 2019
Residents have been told they must wait at least another week before they can reoccupy the building because the specific cause of the cracking has yet to be identified.
Ecuador unveils “special examination” of Julian Assange’s asylum
By Mike Head, 5 January 2019
The Moreno government’s investigation into the granting of the WikiLeaks founder’s asylum and Ecuadorian citizenship is clearly designed to repudiate both.
Growing signs of Australian economic fragility
By Oscar Grenfell, 5 January 2019
A marked slump in the property market is one expression of broader recessionary tendencies.
Australian stripped of citizenship despite being made stateless
By Mike Head, 5 January 2019
Prakash’s case has set a far-reaching precedent because the government has proceeded even though Fijian authorities rejected Canberra’s declaration that he is a citizen of that country.
Silence follows Trump attorney’s statement that Julian Assange did nothing “wrong”
By James Cogan, 4 January 2019
Not a word about Rudy Giuliani’s Fox News interview has been said by the political and media establishment in the US, Europe or Australia.
Australia: Structural faults in 36-storey building cause mass evacuation
By our reporters, 3 January 2019
Self-regulation and self-certification have been introduced in every area of the construction industry over the past 25 years, to speed up approval processes and maximise profits.
South Australian university partners with US defense contractor Lockheed Martin
By Eric Ludlow, 31 December 2018
The decision by the University of Adelaide, behind the backs of students and staff, marks the further integration of Australian universities into the US-led war drive against China and Russia.
Australian Greens riven by factional conflicts as MP resigns
By Oscar Grenfell, 28 December 2018
Jeremy Buckingham tore up a piece of paper with “toxic NSW Greens” written on it, as he told the media he was quitting the party.
NSW Ambulance makes stunning reversal of allegation against Australian paramedic Tony Jenkins
By Cheryl Crisp, 27 December 2018
Scrutiny of the “Root Cause Analysis” forces reversal of allegation against veteran NSW paramedic.
As Australian government unravels, Labor prepares to take office
By Mike Head, 24 December 2018
Key sections of the ruling capitalist elite are again looking to a Labor government to impose “sacrifice” on the working class.
Australian Labor Party rejects demands to increase unemployment benefits
By Robert Campion, 22 December 2018
The national party conference’s unanimous stand against the poorest members of the working class exposed the utter fraud of Labor’s “fair go for Australia” logo.
Workers in South Australian city devastated by GM plant closure support US autoworkers’ struggle
By Robert Campion and Mike Head, 21 December 2018
A WSWS reporting team found strong support in Elizabeth for Detroit autoworkers’ decision to fight plant closures.
ICAC raids Labor Party office in major escalation of anti-China campaign in Australia
By Oscar Grenfell, 21 December 2018
The raid is the latest chapter in an ongoing attempt by the political and media establishment to whip-up a wartime atmosphere and xenophobia against China.
Australia: Understaffing and equipment shortages at new Sydney public-private hospital
By Clare Bruderlin, 21 December 2018
The state Liberal government marketed the $840 million hospital as having state-of-the-art facilities.
Australian union leader warns of eruption of working class struggle
By Mike Head, 20 December 2018
ACTU secretary Sally McManus invoked the spectre of a tsunami of social unrest unless a Labor government bolstered the policing role of the trade unions.
Australian Labor Party steps up commitment to US alliance in “disrupted world”
By Mike Head, 19 December 2018
Amid the rising US-China conflict, the party conference rejected calls to sign the UN nuclear weapons ban treaty because it would “tear up” the American alliance.
Actor Geoffrey Rush denies new #MeToo-inspired claims of “inappropriate” behaviour
By James Cogan, 19 December 2018
Rush, as he waits for a ruling on legal action he took in late 2017 to defend himself, now faces a new attack on his character.
Australian Labor Party to boost police-military operations to block refugees
By Mike Head, 18 December 2018
Shorten unequivocally restated Labor’s intent to keep using the navy to push back refugee boats and to retain the “offshore processing” regime of detaining asylum seekers on remote Pacific islands.
MSF reveals “mental health suffering” in Australia’s Nauru refugee detention camp
By Max Newman, 17 December 2018
Médecins Sans Frontières said the mental health problems were among the worst it had ever seen anywhere in the world.
Australian Labor Party leaders warn of rising popular discontent
By Mike Head, 17 December 2018
Party leader, Bill Shorten, insisted that anger, frustration and discontent within the working class were the Labor's Party’s main “opponent,” not the current Liberal-National Coalition government.
Australian workers and youth speak out in defence of Julian Assange
By our reporters, 15 December 2018
“The Australian government’s role in the attacks on Assange has been pathetic, gutless, disgraceful. They just do what the US deep state tells them to do.”
“Lefts” ensure stage-managed Australian Labor Party conference
By Mike Head, 15 December 2018
As the ALP prepares for government, the factional powerbrokers have held intensive backroom negotiations to carefully orchestrate the party conference and put on a show of unity.
Australian Labor Party prepares for government amid political and economic turmoil
By Mike Head, 14 December 2018
For all the “fair go” rhetoric, Labor’s three-day conference will seek the backing of big business for a government that can suppress unrest, impose austerity and prepare for further US-led wars.
Australian Amazon worker alleges unfair dismissal
By Oscar Grenfell, 13 December 2018
The Sydney worker has claimed he was sacked for joining a union and asking for more hours per week.
The Australian Labor Party and the persecution of Julian Assange
By James Cogan, 13 December 2018
Far from protecting the “safety” of an Australian overseas, Labor has lined up completely with Washington and placed itself at the forefront of the attack on the WikiLeaks publisher.
Witch hunt in Australia against Chinese-born parliamentarian
By Peter Symonds, 12 December 2018
The smears and innuendo against Pierre Yang are part of a campaign aimed at silencing any criticism or opposition to the escalating US war drive against China.
Australian university moves to sack academic critical of Israeli and US wars
By Oscar Grenfell, 11 December 2018
The University of Sydney’s suspension of Tim Anderson is aimed at intimidating students and academics opposed to escalating militarism and war.
Australia: Thousands protest climate change and new Adani coal mine
By our reporters, 10 December 2018
The environmental groups that organised the rally are seeking to subordinate an emerging movement of young people to the very parties responsible for environmental destruction.
Teachers strike in South Australia and Tasmania
By Oscar Grenfell, 8 December 2018
The Australian Education Union is seeking to divide the struggles and push through sell-out enterprise agreements in both states.
80th anniversary of the Fourth International celebrated in Melbourne with public lecture
By our reporters, 8 December 2018
David North, chairman of the World Socialist Web Site international editorial board and the Socialist Equality Party (US), will speak tomorrow in Wellington, New Zealand.
Ecuadorian president hints again at moves to renege on Julian Assange’s asylum
By James Cogan, 7 December 2018
The fight for the freedom of Assange is a matter of fundamental political principle.
More warnings of an Australian property market crash
By Oscar Grenfell, 7 December 2018
Sydney’s house prices registered their sharpest monthly decline in 14 years, accompanied by rising mortgage stress and indications of a broader economic slowdown.
Australian government to impose encryption-cracking bill with Labor’s support
By Mike Head, 6 December 2018
The anti-democratic legislation hands extraordinary powers to the spy and police forces, setting a global precedent for accessing computers and encrypted private data.
Australian government censors university research funding
By Mike Head, 5 December 2018
As well as vetoing peer-reviewed research grants, the government has imposed a more stringent “national interest” test.
Australia’s governing Liberal Party wracked by factional conflicts
By Oscar Grenfell, 4 December 2018
The public recriminations between Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his predecessor Malcolm Turnbull underscore the depth of the divisions within the Liberal Party.
Australia: Newcastle participants in high school climate strike speak out
By our reporters, 3 December 2018
IYSSE campaigners stressed that the danger of climate change could only be resolved through the socialist re-organisation of the world.
“Well-paid journalists have become gormless cyphers of the propaganda of war”
John Pilger discusses his “The Power of the Documentary” film festival
By Richard Phillips, 3 December 2018
Veteran journalist and filmmaker John Pilger spoke with the WSWS last week about his film festival and the political issues confronting serious journalists today.
Australian Labor Party helps disintegrating government impose repressive laws
By Mike Head, 1 December 2018
Labor is working hand-in-glove with the Liberal-National Coalition to push through a series of draconian laws.
Thousands of Australian high school students join climate change strike
By our correspondents, 1 December 2018
The rallies showed the growing politicisation of a generation that has grown up amid continuous war, growing inequality and worsening environmental destruction.
Attentive audience at David North’s Sydney launch of The Heritage We Defend
By our reporter, 1 December 2018
David North explained the relevance of the history of the Fourth International for today’s worldwide eruption of struggles by the working class and young people.
Thousands forced to flee “catastrophic” fire event in Australia
By Mike Head, 30 November 2018
Residents in central Queensland were shocked and often caught unawares as flames as high as 20 metres suddenly loomed over their homes.
Baby’s death on Australia’s Gold Coast points to worsening social conditions
By Gary Alvernia, 29 November 2018
The discovery of a dead baby at Surfers Paradise is a tragic expression of intensifying poverty, social inequality, underfunding of public services and government indifference.
Australian government announces early budget
By Mike Head, 28 November 2018
As the government tears itself apart, the prime minister is engaged in a desperate bid to hold onto office until May, 2019, the latest possible date for the next election.
Australian prime minister denounces students’ climate-change protests
By Oscar Grenfell, 28 November 2018
Scott Morrison’s comments expressed the acute fear of the ruling establishment that students and young people are beginning to enter into political struggle.
SEP meeting and livestream on December 16: What next in the fight to free Julian Assange?
By the Socialist Equality Party (Australia), 28 November 2018
The meeting will discuss the Socialist Equality Party’s political perspective to mobilise and lead the defence of Julian Assange.
Australian parliamentary inquiry discusses intensifying internet censorship
By Oscar Grenfell, 27 November 2018
The hearing pointed to the political establishment seeking to suppress mounting opposition to war, austerity and authoritarianism.
Labor re-elected with increased majority in Australian state of Victoria
By James Cogan, 26 November 2018
The outcome in Victoria has plunged the Liberal Party nationally into bitter infighting.
Australian government accelerates anti-democratic “foreign influence” register
By Mike Head, 26 November 2018
The legislation is aimed at criminalising opposition to Australia’s central role in the US-led preparations for war with China.
Australia: World War I centenary “celebrations” end with stepped-up militaristic propaganda
By Richard Phillips, 26 November 2018
The ongoing barrage of patriotic and pro-war rhetoric is aimed at conditioning young people for future imperialist wars.
Australia: Youth speak out against environmental destruction, poverty and war
By our reporters, 24 November 2018
Geelong high school students joined one of many planned “walk-outs for climate action.”
Australian parliament to pass expanded laws to call out the military to suppress domestic unrest
By Mike Head, 23 November 2018
The bill is another warning of plans to suppress growing discontent and political disaffection.
Australia: Riot police tear-gas youth at Don Dale juvenile prison
By Martin Scott, 23 November 2018
The Northern Territory facility, repeatedly deemed unfit for children, has been the scene of years of state-sanctioned abuse and violence.
Fascist group exposed in youth wing of Australia’s National Party
By Oscar Grenfell, 22 November 2018
The “alt-right” elements gained entry into one of the capitalist elite’s main parties under conditions of a shift to the right by the entire political establishment.
To stem climate change, capitalism must be ended
By the IYSSE (Australia), 22 November 2018
The following statement will be distributed at high school “walk-outs for climate change” across Australia.
At APEC, PM puts Australia on frontline of US confrontation with China
By Peter Symonds, 21 November 2018
Australian Prime Minister Morrison lined up with US Vice President Pence at the recent APEC meeting, as China’s policies were denounced across the board.
Bipartisan push to ramp up police powers after Australia’s latest “terror” attack
By Mike Head, 21 November 2018
Amid another anti-Muslim scare campaign, the Labor Party defended its “fine record of bipartisanship on national security.”
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