Green Left Weekly

Pokies reform

Pokies politics: how good intentions were derailed

Tension around pokies reform came to a head on Saturday when Prime Minister Julia Gillard broke her agreement with independent Tasmanian MHR Andrew Wilkie to implement timely reforms to address problem gambling.

Aboriginal rights

The Tent Embassy 'debacle' from a protester’s POV

The Tent Embassy managed to get a lot of press today (26/1) after a large protest was held that resulted in Australian Federal Police and protective services dragging Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott to their ComCars and massively over-reacting to the presence of protesters at the site. But what really happened?

Carlo Sands

New year, new examples of humane Western civilisation

Slaughter is one thing — the civilised liberator knows that once you slaughter the natives you move on to your next mission, presumably slaughtering more natives. But pissing on the corpses of the natives you have just slaughtered is just not the done thing.

Refugee rights

Don’t stop the boats, stop the need for boats

If we increased or at the very least provided the option of resettlement in the countries that people are fleeing from like Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Iran, Iraq — which we don’t — they would no longer need to embark on a dangerous boat journeys to come here.

This week's Socialist Alliance 'Our Common Cause' column

Reviewing a year of struggle

The global economic meltdown is yet to hit Australia hard, but 2011 was still a busy year of struggle in this relatively sheltered, wealthy country.

THIS WEEK'S COLUMN BY RESISTANCE!, SOCIALIST YOUTH ORGANISATION

Occupy: this is just the beginning

Occupy began as a movement against the effects and causes of the global economic crisis and against the austerity measures pushed by governments for the benefit of the 1%. In Australia, many people were inspired by Occupy Wall Street in New York and the global movement it had sparked. When an international call for action on October 15 came out, we responded, and began our own occupations here.

Australian News

Scenic Rim landowners claim victory against CSG firm

Scenic Rim landowners are claiming victory after a drill rig was withdrawn from the region — they believe operator Arrow Energy was concerned about a possible blockade of its coal seam gas operation in the Kerry Valley.

Socialist Alliance members prepare for 8th national conference

After an intense year of political activity in 2011, Socialist Alliance members have been preparing for the organisation’s eighth national conference, which will be held in Sydney over January 20-22.

Further Australian News

International News

Arab Spring confronts obstacles one year on

A year ago, uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt began the wave of popular mobilisations across the Arab world that has become known in the West as the “Arab Spring”. Revolts challenged political tyranny and economic injustice resulting from Western-pushed neoliberal policies.

Russia: A lull in protests before the storm

The global political crisis ― a natural outcome of the continuing economic crisis ― finally made it to Russia last month before getting derailed by the country's traditional hibernation in early January.

Further International News

Comment and Analysis

New year, new examples of humane Western civilisation

It wasn't long into 2012 before fresh evidence emerged of a democratic, free West's civilising mission, providing a sterling example to backward barbarians as the march towards global liberation continues apace.

An age of revolution: organise, don’t agonise

We live in an age of revolution. What has been sweeping the Arab world this year? Revolutions. Revolutions driven by millions of people who have taken to the streets — often putting their lives on the line. And this is not the first time. There was another wave of revolutions in Latin America at the beginning of the 21st century. These revolutions ridiculed the capitalist triumphalism of the 1990s.

Further Comment and Analysis

Editorial

Gov’t should stop spying on climate movement

If you are an activist peacefully campaigning for a clean energy future, the federal Labor government believes you are a legitimate target for secret surveillance. Fairfax News’ Phillip Dorling reported on January 7 that resources and energy minister Martin Ferguson had asked for federal police help to spy on anti-coal campaigners. Even worse, documents released to Fairfax after a Freedom of Information request showed Ferguson acted after urging from coal industry lobbyists.

Cultural Dissent

Sympathy for the devil: Film justifies Thatcher's crimes

Film can be a powerful ideological tool. Truth can be manipulated, tyrannies expunged and sympathy conjured for the devil. The Iron Lady, depicting the life and times of former British Tory Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, is just such a film.

RIP Ollie MC

Ollie MC was an activist and hip hop artist, whose wheelchair was seen from the stage, to the streets, rallies and the coffee shop. Determined and unforgettable, he bore witness to the struggle for truth and justice.

Further Cultural Dissent

Fighting Fund

GLW needs your support for a big 2012

Happy New Year and thank you to all our supporters. You helped us raise $203,200 for our 2011 Fighting Fund. This is a great effort, even though we made only 81% of our target of $250,000. The big upsurge in political activity — spurred on by the “Arab Spring” revolts and the Occupy and Indignado movements — probably meant that less activist time was available for fundraising. But it also made the Green Left project even more significant.

FEATURED CONTENT

PHOTO ESSAY: Tent Embassy anniversary (what the media didn't show)

Support glw

"Without Green Left Weekly, freedom of press and public truth-telling in Australia would be gravely ill." John Pilger

Donate securely online - every cent you donate helps us to keep going.

Links

Get in touch

Don't just get informed, get active! Receive regular emails about GLW & progressive events in your area.

get connected

join us on facebook follow our tweets add us to your rss feed

Aboriginal activists speak on Tent Embassy 40-year milestone

Pokies reform

Pokies politics: how good intentions were derailed

Aboriginal rights

The Tent Embassy 'debacle' from a protester’s POV

Carlo Sands

New year, new examples of humane Western civilisation

Refugee rights

Don’t stop the boats, stop the need for boats

Reviewing a year of struggle

Occupy: this is just the beginning

Australian News

Scenic Rim landowners claim victory against CSG firm

Socialist Alliance members prepare for 8th national conference

International News

Arab Spring confronts obstacles one year on

Russia: A lull in protests before the storm

Comment and Analysis

New year, new examples of humane Western civilisation

An age of revolution: organise, don’t agonise

Editorial

Gov’t should stop spying on climate movement

Cultural Dissent

Sympathy for the devil: Film justifies Thatcher's crimes

RIP Ollie MC

Fighting Fund

GLW needs your support for a big 2012

FEATURED CONTENT

PHOTO ESSAY: Tent Embassy anniversary (what the media didn't show)

Support glw

Recent comments

Links

Get in touch

get connected

about GLW - the need for alternative media