Australia and South Pacific
Senate result underscores Australian government’s instability
By Mike Head, 6 August 2016
The outcome highlights how far the election backfired for the government and the entire parliamentary establishment.
Amnesty report denounces Australia’s “cruel” refugee regime on Nauru
By Mike Head, 5 August 2016
The Australian government has set a brutal model for countries around the world to punish and bar entry to millions of desperate refugees.
Australian Workers Union pushes pay cuts for Arrium employees
By Richard Phillips, 3 August 2016
The union is seeking to blackmail Whyalla workers, by declaring that if they reject the enterprise agreement, Arrium’s steel plant and nearby mines will be closed.
Australian PM sinks Rudd’s bid for UN secretary general
By Peter Symonds, 30 July 2016
The fracas this week over former Prime Minister Rudd has not only highlighted deep divisions in the Coalition government, but also raises a question about Washington’s hand in events.
Post-election rifts intensify in Australian Greens
By Mike Head, 26 July 2016
Founding party leader Bob Brown publicly called for the ousting of the Greens’ executive in New South Wales.
Australian artists and students speak out against closure of fine arts college
By our reporters, 26 July 2016
Many within the arts community have denounced the plans to amalgamate Sydney’s three main arts colleges into one “super-campus.”
SEP public meetings review political lessons of Australian election
By our reporters, 26 July 2016
Explosive political developments in the past weeks have vindicated the analysis and perspective fought for by the SEP in the July 2 federal election.
Australian workers and youth voice interest in SEP’s perspective
By our reporters, 26 July 2016
Attendees speak about their concerns over US plans for war against China and the government’s austerity agenda.
US stokes divisions over South China Sea at ASEAN summit
By Peter Symonds, 25 July 2016
The Philippines and Vietnam are at loggerheads with Cambodia over a reference in the final communiqué to the recent UN-backed court ruling negating China’s maritime claims.
Take up the fight against war, austerity and dictatorship!
Build the IYSSE on Australian campuses and schools!
By the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (Australia), 25 July 2016
Developments since the Australian federal election have underscored the preparations by the ruling elite for war with China and authoritarian forms of rule.
US vice president’s trip triggers debate on US-China conflict
By Mike Head and James Cogan, 23 July 2016
A full-scale US assault on China would almost certainly escalate into a nuclear war, in which millions would die.
Papua New Guinea government survives no-confidence motion
By John Braddock, 23 July 2016
With protests and strikes set to continue, yesterday’s parliamentary vote will not end the country’s political crisis.
US vice-president makes menacing warning to China
By Peter Symonds, 21 July 2016
Biden’s speech in Sydney made clear that the US will not tolerate any equivocation by Canberra and other regional allies in supporting its war preparations in the Indo-Pacific.
In Australia, US vice president issues belligerent challenge to China
By Mike Head, 20 July 2016
Biden’s trip to Australia came in the immediate aftermath of the arbitration court decision in The Hague declaring illegal Chinese land reclamation activities in the South China Sea.
US admiral holds “frank” talks in Beijing over South China Sea
By Peter Symonds, 20 July 2016
The Chinese regime is playing directly into Washington’s hands by resorting to its own reckless military measures that heighten the danger of conflict.
Australian students and staff oppose closure of fine arts college
By Elle Chapman, 20 July 2016
The plans to close the Sydney College of the Arts are part of a pro-business restructure of the University of Sydney, and a broader attack on the arts.
Doctors strike against Papua New Guinea government
By John Braddock, 19 July 2016
Ahead of a parliamentary no-confidence motion on Friday, doctors have joined pilots, maritime workers and energy workers in anti-government protests.
Australian prime minister reshuffles his ministry
By Mike Head, 19 July 2016
Turnbull is attempting to address the two acute pressures bearing down on his government—from Washington and the financial markets.
Papua New Guinea government faces strikes, no-confidence motion
By John Braddock, 16 July 2016
The country’s Supreme Court ordered a one-week delay before the vote of no-confidence, giving the opposition time to gather support to bring down the government.
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
16 July 2016
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
Fractured Australian government under intense US and economic pressure
By Mike Head, 15 July 2016
Even before Prime Minister Turnbull names his ministry, the government is wracked by recriminations and rifts.
Australia: BlueScope suing steel union over one-day strike
By Oscar Grenfell, 15 July 2016
The legal action against the Australian Workers Union is aimed at intimidating steelworkers hostile to the conditions imposed by the company-union deal last year.
The Hague ruling: A dangerous step toward war
By Peter Symonds, 14 July 2016
The court decision on the South China Sea will heighten tensions and the risk that a minor incident spirals out of control and triggers a conflict between the US and China.
Following South China Sea ruling, Australian Labor Party again demands military action
By James Cogan, 14 July 2016
Australia’s central role in the US preparations for war with China has proceeded despite the misgivings of sections of the ruling elite.
Pauline Hanson’s One Nation returns to Australian parliament
By Mike Head, 14 July 2016
By posturing as an anti-elite candidate, Hanson exploits the social crisis caused by successive Labor and Coalition governments.
Hague court decision sets stage for US confrontation with China
By Peter Symonds, 13 July 2016
Yesterday’s tribunal ruling branding China’s actions in the South China Sea as “illegal” provides another pretext for the US to ramp up its military expansion in Asia.
SEP’s 2016 election campaign in Australia furthers fight for international anti-war movement
By the Socialist Equality Party (Australia), 12 July 2016
At the centre of the campaign was the development of political analysis to clarify workers and young people on the necessity for a socialist and internationalist perspective.
Coalition parties to form unstable government in Australia
By James Cogan, 11 July 2016
After the political and media establishment did everything possible during the election to prevent any debate on the rising danger of war, that issue is set to erupt.
UN court to deliver decision on South China Sea disputes
By Peter Symonds, 11 July 2016
With a ruling imminent, the US has cranked up its propaganda apparatus and military activity in the South China Sea, setting the stage for a dangerous confrontation with China.
Australian parliamentarian calls for Iraqi war crimes trial
By James Cogan, 9 July 2016
Andrew Wilkie declared that he would like to see an international court to hear the “pretty compelling case” against George Bush, Tony Blair and John Howard for war crimes.
Australian election outcome heightens divisions within the Greens
By Oscar Grenfell, 9 July 2016
Poor election results by the Greens have provoked bitter recriminations in the party's ranks.
Financial markets intervene in Australia’s political turmoil
By Mike Head, 8 July 2016
Standard & Poor’s has decreed that the next government must “forcefully” impose severe cuts to social spending and other austerity measures.
Australian election crisis fuels rifts in governing Coalition
By Mike Head, 7 July 2016
Even if Turnbull is able to form a government, the result will be an unstable administration, wracked by divisions.
Australia: Brewery maintenance workers rally to defend jobs, wages
By Frank Gaglioti, 7 July 2016
The unions organised the rally to place pressure on company executives to collaborate with them in driving down workers’ wages and conditions.
Australian voters speak on Brexit and the political issues facing the working class
By our reporters, 7 July 2016
The remarks of workers and young people underscored the widespread hostility towards the political establishment.
The political issues posed by the Australian election crisis
By Socialist Equality Party (Australia), 6 July 2016
The ruling elites, whether in Australia or around the world, cannot return to the stable and predictable parliamentary forms through which they governed in the past.
Australian election: Workers and young people speak on mounting social crisis
By our reporters, 6 July 2016
Many of those who spoke to the WSWS expressed anger over the gutting of essential services, widespread unemployment and the growth of social inequality.
Australian corporate chief suggests a “dictator” to resolve political crisis
By Patrick Kelly, 5 July 2016
Gerry Harvey’s remarks express widespread hostility within ruling circles towards democratic forms of rule.
Australia: Deepening social discontent produces post-election turmoil
By Mike Head, 5 July 2016
The loss of support for the major parties, including the Greens, was most pronounced in the Senate where a record 26 percent of votes went to other political groupings.
Australian voters speak out against drive to war
By our reporters, 5 July 2016
Despite the official conspiracy of silence over the US plans for war against China, workers and youth expressed concern about the growth of militarism.
No party able to claim victory in Australian election
By James Cogan, 4 July 2016
The 2016 election marks a definite turning point in the crisis that has wracked the Australian political establishment over the past nine years.
Melbourne warehouse workers welcome SEP campaign against war
By our reporters, 2 July 2016
Workers at the Coles-Toll plant spoke on the growing threat of a US-led war against China and Russia, as well as the rising war danger globally.
Vote Socialist Equality Party on July 2
By the Socialist Equality Party (Australia), 1 July 2016
The SEP is the only party that fights for the socialist reorganisation of society, in Australia and internationally, to end war and meet the social rights of the working class.
Australian workers and students voice concerns on Brexit
By our reporters, 1 July 2016
Many of those interviewed expressed opposition to the whipping up of nationalism and xenophobia.
The Australian election and the assault on refugees
By Max Newman, 1 July 2016
Workers and youth must defend the basic rights of asylum seekers as an essential part of the struggle to unify the working class internationally.
The Australian Labor Party and the “Gonski” school funding fraud
By Chris Sinnema—SEP candidate for the Senate in Victoria, 30 June 2016
While Labor’s planned education funding is a hoax, its plans for regressive new measures against public school teachers are immediate and real.
Australian artists and industry professionals oppose funding cuts
By Eric Ludlow, 30 June 2016
Consecutive Labor and Coalition governments have slashed millions of dollars in funding to a range of artistic disciplines and cultural institutions.
The international significance of the Australian election
By Peter Symonds, 30 June 2016
The political volatility and instability of Australian politics is another symptom of the deepening crisis of global capitalism, sharply expressed in the British vote to leave the European Union.
The Greens’ Adam Bandt promotes a ruling coalition with Labor
By Patrick Kelly, 30 June 2016
The Greens MP has reassured the ruling elite of the Greens’ commitment to a “stable” and “responsible” parliament.
One in six Australians experience food insecurity
By Michelle Stevens, 29 June 2016
The Foodbank report revealed that many charities could not meet the rising demand for food aid, resulting in 43,000 people being turned away empty-handed every month.
Australian election
Socialist Alliance: A pseudo-left ally of the Greens
By Oscar Grenfell—SEP candidate for Grayndler, 29 June 2016
Socialist Alliance is not only falsely promoting the Greens as a progressive alternative to Labor and the Liberals, but is considering liquidating itself into this capitalist party.
Glen Lazarus Team promotes nationalism and xenophobia
By Erin Cooke—SEP Senate candidate for Queensland, 29 June 2016
Lazarus blames all of the current economic and social woes on foreign governments, corporations or workers.
Download the Socialist Equality Party How-To-Vote card
28 June 2016
Download the SEP How-To-Vote cards for the Senate in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland, and for the lower house electorates of Grayndler and Blaxland in Sydney, and Wills in Melbourne.
Australian Labor’s fraudulent apprenticeship scheme
By Elle Chapman, 28 June 2016
Over the past four years, under both Labor and the Coalition, the number of apprenticeships has plummeted from 516,000 to 295,000.
Australian youth face historic social reversal
By John Davis—SEP candidate for the Senate in NSW, 27 June 2016
Today’s young people confront higher unemployment , more insecure work, increased housing costs, greater debts and higher tuition fees than earlier generations.
Socialist Alternative promotes Labor and the Greens as “lesser evil”
By Peter Symonds, 27 June 2016
“Lesser evilism” has long been the pseudo-lefts’ stock-in-trade at election time, but it takes on added political significance amid the deepening crisis of the two-party system.
The Australian election’s “save Medicare” fraud
By Mike Head—SEP candidate for the Senate in Queensland, 27 June 2016
For four decades, the reality has been one of a relentless assault on public health care by Labor and Coalition governments alike.
Australian election forum
SEP candidate opposes Greens and Labor on refugees and war
By our reporter, 25 June 2016
Will Fulgenzi explained the SEP’s socialist perspective and its opposition to the nationalist, pro-war policies of Labor, the Greens and the pseudo-left Socialist Alliance.
Queensland SEP candidate discusses socialism and war on 4ZZZ radio
By our reporter, 25 June 2016
Mike Head’s interview began with the 1917 Russian Revolution and outlined the danger of war, the attack on basic democratic rights and the need for a genuinely socialist alternative.
SEP election rally in Sydney on June 26 to be streamed live on Facebook
24 June 2016
The Socialist Equality Party’s final election rally in Sydney, “International class struggle returns: A socialist program against war and austerity,” will be streamed live on Facebook.
Video: The Australian election and the fight against the danger of world war
By James Cogan—SEP candidate for the Senate in NSW, 24 June 2016
James Cogan, SEP national secretary and Senate candidate for New South Wales, condemns the US-led preparations for war against China and Russia.
Australian federal election
Grayndler candidate Jim Casey and the fake-left wing of the Greens
By Oscar Grenfell—SEP candidate for Grayndler, 24 June 2016
Figures such as Casey are seeking to head off a developing political radicalisation among workers and young people, and channel it back into the dead-end of parliamentary politics.
SEP candidates in Victoria interviewed by SBS Radio
By our reporters, 24 June 2016
Will Fulgenzi and Peter Byrne emphasised the SEP’s fight for a new anti-war movement of the working class, in opposition to the entire political establishment.
Australian poultry processor Ingham to close Cardiff plant
By Terry Cook, 23 June 2016
The announcement is part of an attack on jobs and conditions in the meat and food processing industries worldwide.
SEP challenges Labor, Greens over war policies at Sydney election forum
By our reporters, 23 June 2016
At the meeting, Labor Party candidate and former deputy prime minister Anthony Albanese defended Australia’s military alliance with the US and slandered socialists.
SEP candidate discusses war and the Russian Revolution at Melbourne high schools
By our reporter, 23 June 2016
Fulgenzi was invited to give a presentation to Year 11 politics students and participated in a lively question-and-answer session that followed.
Australia: Katter video depicts him killing Labor and Coalition opponents
By Richard Phillips, 22 June 2016
The vile election ad, which is pitched to extreme right-wing elements, is an incitement to violence against anyone who opposes Katter’s nationalist demagogy.
Australian election rally promotes Greens’ bogus refugee “solution”
By John Braddock, 22 June 2016
The Sydney Town Hall meeting was a thinly-veiled election rally for the Greens.
SEP candidates condemn worsening assault on legal aid
By Mike Head and Erin Cooke—SEP Senate candidates for Queensland, 22 June 2016
Cuts to legal assistance in Australia are part of a wider austerity offensive against the working class, while billions of dollars are being spent on the military in preparation for war.
Australian Labor Party vows “freedom of navigation” provocations against China
By James Cogan, 21 June 2016
Of the two main establishment parties, Labor is the most militarist, bellicose and committed to the US alliance, whatever the consequences.
Australian jobs figures show expansion of part-time work
By Mike Head, 21 June 2016
A new “normal” has emerged—growing numbers of workers being forced to take part-time jobs, which are invariably less secure and worse-paid.
New Zealand PM’s diplomatic debacle in Fiji
By John Braddock, 21 June 2016
Bainimarama bluntly refused to accede to NZ Prime Minister Key’s agenda.
Socialist Equality Party candidate interviewed by community radio station
By our reporter, 21 June 2016
”We are fighting to build a party against war,” Gabriela Zabala told the Muslim radio station 2MFM.
Australian Labor’s campaign launch features lies and duplicity
By Mike Head, 20 June 2016
Shorten sought to reassure big business of Labor’s commitment to austerity, while falsely promising voters that it would maintain jobs and essential services.
Thousands of Australian households cut off electricity
By Mary Beadnell, 20 June 2016
Households in the Dark found that extreme financial distress is the basic reason for power disconnections.
The way forward after the PNG police shootings
By Peter Symonds, 20 June 2016
The struggle in Papua New Guinea for basic democratic rights and against austerity and war can be based only on the fight for socialist internationalism.
SEP senate candidate speaks with Melbourne tram drivers
By our reporters, 20 June 2016
Chris Sinnema received a warm response when he outlined the party’s fight for a new anti-war movement of the working class.
Australian election: Murdoch paper excludes “minor parties” from candidates’ forum
By our reporters, 18 June 2016
A candidates’ forum in Sydney’s inner west only permitted Liberal Party, Labor and Greens representatives to make opening and closing remarks.
Blaxland: A microcosm of Australia’s social crisis
By John Davis—SEP candidate for the Senate in NSW, 17 June 2016
Bankstown and the surrounding suburbs provide a picture of the worsening economic and social conditions facing millions of working people.
Political crisis deepens in Australia’s “double dissolution” election
By Mike Head, 16 June 2016
Despite growing public hostility and alienation, both major parties have publicly committed to imposing the austerity demands of the financial and corporate elite.
Papua New Guinea student protests continue
By John Braddock, 16 June 2016
Students at the University of Papua New Guinea defied a court order and instructions from the university administration by refusing to return to classes.
The lies surrounding the Sydney siege unravel
By Peter Symonds, 15 June 2016
The huge police mobilisation in response to a lone gunman is a sharp warning of the methods that will be used in the future to suppress opposition to war and austerity.
Behind the shooting of Papua New Guinea student protesters
By Peter Symonds, 14 June 2016
The latest crisis in PNG is a harbinger of the worsening social and economic crisis and sharpening geo-political tensions wracking countries throughout the Pacific region.
SEP election meetings outline alternative to war and austerity
By our reporters, 14 June 2016
SEP candidates spoke out against Australia’s integration into the US war drive against China and the mounting social crisis facing the working class.
ASPI think tank warns of war with China and attacks on Australia
By James Cogan, 13 June 2016
The Australian population has been kept in the dark about the content of the document.
Papua New Guinea authorities clamp down on student protests
By John Braddock, 13 June 2016
Opposition politicians are using the corruption scandal in a bid to bring down the government but are just as committed to austerity measures.
Australia’s east coast hit by devastating storms
By Eric Ludlow, 13 June 2016
Under-resourced emergency response units were spread thin across the storm- and flood-damaged areas.
Widening unrest in Papua New Guinea following police shooting of student protesters
By John Braddock, 11 June 2016
Behind the protests over allegations of corruption lies an immense social crisis caused by the collapse of the economy.
Australia: Labor unveils “tough, unpopular” budget cuts
By Mike Head, 11 June 2016
Labor underscored its commitment to satisfying the demands of the corporate elite for sweeping cuts to social spending.
Australia power union calls off New South Wales strike
By Terry Cook, 10 June 2016
The Electrical Trades Union has pushed a long-running Essential Energy workers’ dispute into arbitration, clearing the way for the company to slash jobs and working conditions.
Australian elections: Workers and young people speak on mounting social divide
By our reporters, 10 June 2016
The growth of poverty and social distress is being ignored by the campaigns of the major parties and the corporate press.
Socialist Equality Party final election rallies
International class struggle returns: A socialist program against war and austerity
10 June 2016
The meetings will outline the socialist perspective necessary to take forward the independent, international interests of the working class.
Australia: Right-wing witch-hunt against La Trobe University academic
By Oscar Grenfell, 9 June 2016
The attack on La Trobe academic, Roz Ward, underscores the erosion of basic democratic and academic rights at universities.
SEP Senate candidate Peter Byrne calls for anti-war movement at election forum
By our reporters, 9 June 2016
“We’re standing in this election, in opposition to every other party, to warn of the danger of war. It’s the great unmentionable.”
Australia’s increasing suicide rate linked to social crisis
By Michelle Stevens, 8 June 2016
The recent report draws a connection between deteriorating economic conditions and the 22 percent increase in suicide between 2004 and 2014.
Australia: The promotion of Senator Jacqui Lambie
By Mike Head—SEP Senate candidate for Queensland, 8 June 2016
Lambie has sought to fashion another right-wing populist formation to divert the mounting social and class tensions.
SEP holds election meetings in Sydney and Melbourne
By our reporters, 7 June 2016
At both meetings, workers and young people discussed the socialist alternative to war, austerity and the assault on democratic rights.
What the Royal Commission into Australia’s trade unions revealed
Part Five: The TWU and MUA “training funds” and the CFMEU’s “drug and alcohol committee”
By Will Fulgenzi—SEP candidate for Wills, 7 June 2016
Millions of dollars flow into trade union coffers via arrangements between their various “funds,” “organisations” and “committees,” and the major employers.
Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore
Washington and Beijing draw battle lines over South China Sea
By James Cogan, 6 June 2016
US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter threatened that China “could end up erecting a Great Wall of self-isolation.”
Follow the WSWS