The Communist Party of Australia’s National President, Vinnie Molina, today expressed his Party’s sadness on the passing of Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez. “President Chávez was an inspirational figure to progressive people in Latin America and throughout the world,” Mr Molina said. “As an Australian of Latin American background, I can appreciate just how much his efforts to unite the continent and to restore its sovereignty in the face of fierce opposition from the US meant to the people of the region. Hugo Chávez transformed Venezuela from a basket case victim of neo-liberal policy to one where the country’s resource income is spent on eradicating poverty and other social needs.”

“The example of the Bolivarian Revolution in Venezuela spilled over that country’s borders and broke the grip of neo-liberalism on the governments of several nations,” Mr Molina continued. “Hugo Chávez’ leadership played a major role in unleashing the social forces now transforming Latin America. He helped enormously in putting socialism back on the agenda as the only alternative to capitalism, which is threatening the future of humanity through war and environmental disaster. Chávez’ name will forever be associated with the renewed advance of the peoples of the world towards socialism. Dangers lie ahead, but the commitment and achievements of Comrade Chávez should inspire us.”

The move last week by the European Central Bank (ECB), the European Commission and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) – the notorious Troika that stalks Europe – to impose a “tax” on people’s and corporate savings in Cypriot banks sent shock waves across Europe and beyond. The level of anger and opposition amongst the Cypriot people was so strong that not even one government MP had the courage to vote for its own agreement with the Troika when it was put to parliament for ratification on Tuesday March 19. Opposition was not confined to the people. The precedent of raiding people’s bank deposits to bail out banks raised alarm bells within ruling class circles and amongst economic commentators, who feared a run on banks beyond Cyprus and possible loss of confidence in the banking system across Europe.  more ...

The schemers plotting the demise of Julia Gillard in the lead-up to last week’s Labor leadership spill could not have done her more damage if they had tried. Though a new (or recycled) leadership did not step forward and nominate for the position of Prime Minister or Deputy Prime Minister, the surviving PM was not reinforced in the top job. She was left looking like a “lame duck” incumbent, heading a “shambolic” government whose days are being counted down. The cabinet reshuffle has worsened the impression of desperation.  more ...

The Guardian deeply regrets to announce the sudden death of Comrade Pauline Mitchell in Melbourne on March 20 age 82. Pauline is widely known, loved and respected for her work in the peace movement, media and women’s movement.  more ...

Hundreds of public housing tenants face eviction from their homes in Sydney’s Miller’s Point, Waterloo and Redfern. The NSW Land and Housing Corporation is currently preparing an “assessment” of public housing in these suburbs, with forced evictions the inevitable result if government privatisation plans are realised.  more ...

On March 21, the picket by workers, fellow unionists and community activists at Recall Records in Malaga, Western Australia, ground slowly into its forth week.  more ...

The corporate media in the US play a powerful role in preparation for imperialist war. They play an even more insidious role in rewriting the history of US wars and obstructing the purpose of US wars. They are totally intertwined with US military, oil and banking corporations. In every war, this enormously powerful institution known as the “fourth estate” attempts, as the public relations arm of corporate dominance, to justify imperialist plunder and overwhelm all dissent.  more ...

One of the world’s oldest nations, Egypt is often perceived as mired in the past and politically stagnant. The country’s last 150 years instead reflect a dynamic process, part of the greater human quest for fair self-governance. Egypt may be a casebook study of autocracy and centralised, top-down decision-making from the pharaohs till now, but it also illustrates how élitist, defensive power structures lose touch with the people, who thus learn to fend for themselves and their communities.  more ...

I don’t imagine many of the Guardian’s readers would also be regular readers of The Daily Telegraph. And that’s as it should be: capitalism already tries to force-feed the people with pernicious drivel by every means possible, so the least one can do to protect oneself is to avoid the crudities perpetrated by Murdoch’s leading tabloid.  more ...

Ravelo is a member of Colombia’s Regional Human Rights Corporation and was honoured by the Catholic Diocese of Barrancabermeja for his defence of human rights. He was recently convicted to 18 years in prison for what is widely regarded as a sham trial by national and international human rights organisations. The North American Committee to Free David Ravelo has drafted a sign-on letter reprinted below.  more ...

Matt Peacock is one of the ABC’s most experienced reporters, and is currently a journalist for Foreign Correspondent and 7.30 Report. He has been an award-winning foreign correspondent and also chief political correspondent for national radio current affairs programs: AM, PM and The World Today.

Matt first warned the public about the dangers of James Hardie’s asbestos empire in an award-winning radio series in 1977.

He has followed the tragic trail since then and in 2009 published Killer Company, the inside story of how Matt and asbestos campaigner, Bernie Banton brought the company to account. This widely praised book was a complete game changer in the ongoing battle.

“Bernie would be up there, looking down and saying ‘Mate, well done!’,” Karen Banton, widow of Bernie Banton said of the book.

Former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd described it as “Inspirational! Every corporate management course in this country should have this book as essential reading.”

“I thought I knew the James Hardie story ... but nothing quite prepares you for Peacock’s forensic look,” Kathleen Noonan, of the Courier Mail, said.

Killer Company is being republished by ABC Books on November 1 to tie in with the broadcast of a two-part drama series Devils Dust inspired by the book.

Matt worked as a consultant on Devil’s Dust, which is written by Kris Mrksa and outlines the James Hardie asbestos saga.

The character of Matt Peacock is played by Ewen Leslie and Anthony Hayes stars as Bernie Banton. Alexandra Schepisi plays Bernie’s wife Karen and Don Hany plays the fictional character of James Hardie PR Adam Bourke.

Devil’s Dust will air on ABC1 on Sunday 11 and Monday 12 November.

The book will be available from ABC Shops and other retail outlets including ebooks from November 1. The hard copy sells for $24.99 and is well worth reading.