Australia and South Pacific
Home loan stress threatening millions of households in Australia
By Mike Head, 7 September 2018
Nearly one in four households are already “mortgage prisoners”—trapped in debt while house values are falling.
Australia: Factory fire sends toxic smoke over western Melbourne
By Eric Ludlow, 7 September 2018
Authorities tried to reassure concerned residents, but hundreds of dead fish, eels and birds have been found in nearby waterways.
Socialist Equality Group (New Zealand) forum reviews lessons of nursing union sellout
By our reporter, 7 September 2018
Participants discussed the need for health workers to rebel against the New Zealand Nurses Organisation, build rank-and-file committees and unite with workers internationally, based on a socialist perspective.
SEP Australia public meeting in Sydney: The key political issues behind the coup against Turnbull
6 September 2018
As international relations and parliamentary forms of rule break down, the ruling elite is terrified of the growing left-wing sentiment among workers and young people.
Family speaks to World Socialist Web Site
Unanswered questions surround the suicide of Australian paramedic Tony Jenkins
By Cheryl Crisp and John Mackay, 6 September 2018
On April 9, the 28-year veteran paramedic took his own life within two hours of being called into a meeting with New South Wales Ambulance senior managers.
Australian unions exploit childcare strike to promote Labor
By Oscar Grenfell, 6 September 2018
The Sydney protest was effectively an election rally for the Labor Party, which has spearheaded the privatisation of childcare.
US whistleblower Chelsea Manning defies ban to speak in Australia
By Linda Tenenbaum, 5 September 2018
“Once you’re immersed in a war zone, you realise that it isn’t statistics anymore. These were human lives and flaws and all of the vulnerabilities that people have.”
“Five Eyes” summit in Australia ramps up internet censorship
By Mike Head, 5 September 2018
Ministers from the US-led global surveillance network revealed stepped-up measures against Chinese and Russian “foreign interference” and greater control over social media.
Severe drought hits large regions of Australia
By Frank Gaglioti, 5 September 2018
Government indifference has exacerbated the plight of many farmers and rural communities that are reeling under the dry conditions.
Australian media promotes right-wing Steve Bannon and calls for confrontation with China
By James Cogan, 4 September 2018
The logic of Bannon’s positions is a devastating military conflict.
Australian government rushes to deport Vietnamese refugees
By Max Newman, 3 September 2018
After a manhunt in a Queensland rainforest, 17 Vietnamese men were rounded up for deportation “at the first available opportunity.”
Australia: Aurizon coal train crews face union sell-out
By Patrick Davies, 1 September 2018
The Rail Tram and Bus Union is working to conclude yet another regressive enterprise agreement covering coal haulage crews in the Hunter Valley.
Widespread opposition to Australian government ban on Chelsea Manning
By Oscar Grenfell and James Cogan, 31 August 2018
The attempt to prevent Manning visiting Australia followed a high-level meeting of the Five Eyes spying network, which called for a campaign against those who “sow discord.”
Conflicts inside Liberal Party shed light on lurch to right in Australian government
By Mike Head, 31 August 2018
In a clear overture to the right faction, Morrison has appointed Tony Abbott to a newly-created position of “special envoy on indigenous affairs.”
US ambassador praises New Zealand’s Pacific “reset”
By John Braddock, 30 August 2018
Brown’s comments are an enthusiastic endorsement of Labour’s strengthening of New Zealand’s support for Washington’s drive to war against both China and Russia.
National Party seeks to prevent Chelsea Manning from entering New Zealand
By the Socialist Equality Group (New Zealand), 30 August 2018
The National Party’s attempt to bar Manning, who exposed war crimes committed by the US, is part of a worldwide assault on free speech and other democratic rights.
Oppose the ban on Chelsea Manning speaking in Australia!
By the Socialist Equality Party (Australia), 30 August 2018
The SEP demands that Manning be granted her visa and restates its demand for the unconditional freedom of WikiLeaks editor Julian Assange.
New Australian government to intensify pro-US militarism and class war
By James Cogan, 29 August 2018
The policies being rolled out underscore the fact that one of the objectives behind ousting Turnbull was to refashion the Liberal Party into a far more right-wing movement.
Whistleblowers expose Australian government crimes at Nauru refugee camp
By Oscar Grenfell, 29 August 2018
Medical professionals have warned that children suffering severe mental illness are at risk of dying at the Australian-operated detention centre.
Ex-Australian prime minister to quit, leaving government in minority
By Mike Head, 28 August 2018
Turnbull’s decision underscores the fragility of the Liberal-National Coalition government, as well as the intensity of the rifts tearing it apart.
Reports point to growing social inequality in Australia
By John Harris, 28 August 2018
As elsewhere globally, the wealth of Australia’s richest has swollen over the past two decades, alongside mounting financial stress for millions of people.
Australian state Labor government intervenes to prevent industrial action by Esso workers
By Terry Cook, 28 August 2018
The Victorian government is seeking to push the long-running dispute at ExxonMobil’s offshore operations back into arbitration.
New Australian prime minister forms cabinet after endorsement from Washington
By James Cogan, 27 August 2018
The political turmoil is the outcome of mounting geostrategic tensions between the US and China, and immense popular disaffection with the parliamentary establishment.
New Zealand transport workers’ jobs and conditions under attack
By our correspondents, 25 August 2018
Rail and bus workers face a sustained assault by companies hired by the Greater Wellington Regional Council to run passenger services.
Bangladesh jute mill workers demonstrate; Paradip port workers strike in Orissa
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
25 August 2018
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
Sixth Australian prime minister ousted in 11 years
By Mike Head, 24 August 2018
A political and ideological schism has opened up in the Liberal Party, driven by the disintegration of the post-war global order.
New Zealand Nurses Organisation lashes out at critics on social media
By Tom Peters, 24 August 2018
The union posted an inflammatory statement on Facebook aimed at intimidating opposition to its sellout of health workers.
Australian prime minister faces ouster by extreme-right faction
By Mike Head, 23 August 2018
Whatever the immediate outcome of this turmoil, the schism tearing apart the ruling Liberal-National Coalition will worsen.
Australia: Footage reveals brutal prison murder of young Aboriginal man
By John Harris, 23 August 2018
The killing is the latest in a series of violent attacks perpetrated by prison officers.
Australian government near collapse as Liberal Party lurches to the extreme right
By James Cogan, 22 August 2018
The Liberal Party, along with sections of the rural-based National Party, is in the process of being refashioned into a Trump-style movement.
Australian university union leaders quit amid escalating sellouts
By Mike Head, 22 August 2018
The NTEU is facing increasing disaffection as it assists managements to impose real wage reductions, greater casualisation and heavier workloads.
Prime minister barely survives leadership challenge in Australia
By Mike Head and James Cogan, 21 August 2018
The constant factor in the turmoil of official Australian politics has been political tensions arising from ever more volatile international geo-strategic and economic conflicts.
Australian thunderstorm asthma deaths inquest reveals health system breakdown
By Margaret Rees, 20 August 2018
Triple 0 callers were told an ambulance was on the way when it had not been dispatched.
Lessons of the New Zealand Nurses Organisation’s sellout: Build rank-and-file committees! Unite the working class against the Labour government!
By the Socialist Equality Group (New Zealand), 18 August 2018
The sellout of the nurses’ struggle by the union bureaucracy raises the need for rank-and-file committees and a fight to unite the working class against austerity and for socialism.
Australian police killed mentally ill young woman seconds after arriving at scene
By Martin Scott, 18 August 2018
The Coroner’s Court was told that 42 percent of those shot by police in Australia between 1989 and 2011 were suffering from a mental illness.
Alcoa workers strike in Western Australia
By Terry Cook, 18 August 2018
The stoppage expresses growing opposition to the corporate giant’s global cost-cutting operation.
Australian government facing defeat over energy policy and company tax cuts
By Mike Head, 17 August 2018
It is clear from the events of this week that the government’s two signature policies are in tatters.
Australia: Transport union cancels Victorian bus drivers strike
By Oscar Grenfell, 17 August 2018
The TWU’s suppression of the stoppage was the outcome of a sordid back-room conspiracy, involving the union, the companies and the Victorian state Labor government.
Australian Daily Telegraph lawyers plead “truth defence” in Geoffrey Rush defamation case
By Richard Phillips, 16 August 2018
The Murdoch media empire is prepared to spend vast sums to defeat Rush’s defamation suit.
Right-wing senator calls for a “White Australia” immigration policy
By Oscar Grenfell, 16 August 2018
Fraser Anning’s diatribe is the logical outcome of the nationalist policies supported by the entire political establishment.
China set to become largest aid donor to Pacific
By John Braddock, 15 August 2018
The ruling elites in Australia and New Zealand, the local imperialist powers that act in concert with Washington, view China’s rise as a threat to their interests.
Australia: Victorian bus drivers to strike over pay and conditions
By Oscar Grenfell, 15 August 2018
The strike expresses mounting anger among transport workers across the country over the consequences of a privatisation agenda imposed by Labor and Liberal-National governments.
Australia: Socialist Alternative promotes right-wing Labor leader Bill Shorten
By Oscar Grenfell, 14 August 2018
Amid a deepening crisis of the political establishment, the pseudo-left organisations are seeking to channel growing discontent back behind Labor and the unions.
Australian prime minister delivers an anxious speech on relations with China
By Mike Head, 13 August 2018
There is evident alarm that the Trump administration’s protectionism could have flow-on effects for Australian exporters and throw into doubt Washington’s global reliability.
Inquest shows Australian governments directly responsible for refugee’s death
By Max Newman, 10 August 2018
Coroner rules Hamid Khazaei’s death was a “preventable” outcome of “the policy of offshore processing.”
Australian hospital staff have to raise money for patients’ basic needs
By E. Ballesteros, 9 August 2018
Footscray Hospital is one of three acute and sub-acute hospitals managed servicing a major working-class region of the Victorian state capital.
New Zealand Nurses Organisation rams through sellout pay deal
By John Braddock and Tom Peters, 8 August 2018
The union is trying to present the agreement, which fails to address the crisis in the public health system, as a victory.
Australia: Telstra seeks to slash wages after announcing massive job cuts
By Terry Cook, 8 August 2018
The communications company is pushing a new enterprise agreement containing wage rises well below rapidly rising inflation.
Australia: Youth protest racist “African gangs” campaign
By our reporters, 4 August 2018
African-Australian youth rally to denounce divisive hysteria whipped up by the political and media establishment.
Business leaders look to Labor Party after by-elections shake Australian government
By Mike Head, 3 August 2018
Confronted by growing social and political unrest, corporate executives are preparing to pursue their interests via a Labor government.
Australia: Nine-Fairfax Media merger threatens jobs
By Oscar Grenfell, 3 August 2018
The deal marks a new stage in a protracted restructuring of corporate media organisations, dictated by the financial elite.
Julian Assange’s lawyer: Australian government has a “duty” to protect him
By Mike Head, 2 August 2018
Jennifer Robinson said the WikiLeaks editor wants to exercise his right to return to Australia, provided he is protected from extradition to the US.
New Zealand nurses express frustration, anger in union broadcast
By our reporters, 2 August 2018
The union’s online event was a desperate attempt to sell the latest, widely opposed deal and shut down the rebellion among nurses.
Australian government promises changes to My Health Records following widespread opposition
By Cheryl Crisp, 2 August 2018
The “opt out” health database faces mounting public concern over official and corporate surveillance.
Australian governments illegally sailed refugee boats to distant reef
By Max Newman, 1 August 2018
Successive governments flouted the law to declare asylum seekers “offshore arrivals.”
Geoffrey Rush’s lawyers argue newspaper’s allegations “motivated to harm” the actor
By Richard Phillips, 1 August 2018
Rush’s amended submission documents ongoing detrimental reportage by Murdoch publications.
Australian by-elections underscore deepening alienation from political establishment
By Mike Head, 30 July 2018
Despite large swings against the government, the opposition Labor Party’s vote barely rose from its historic lows.
Australia: Report reveals “Harvest Trail” exploitation of overseas workers
By Hugh Peters, 30 July 2018
The exploitative practices are the outcome of the gutting of permanent jobs by employers and successive governments, assisted by the trade unions.
Australian by-elections threaten to deepen political instability
By Oscar Grenfell, 27 July 2018
The five simultaneous elections are part of a mounting crisis of the official parliamentary establishment.
US and Australian ministers agree to intensify military integration against China
By Mike Head, 26 July 2018
The joint AUSMIN statement reaffirmed a “steadfast and enduring” alliance dating back to World War I.
New Zealand Nurses Organisation presents fifth sell-out pay offer
By John Braddock, 26 July 2018
The latest offer to public hospital nurses, healthcare assistants and midwives is virtually identical to offers they rejected before the July 12 nationwide strike.
Australian government boosts pro-US institutes on eve of ministerial talks in California
By Mike Head, 25 July 2018
Having just enacted draconian “foreign interference” bills, the government has now handed millions of dollars to think-tanks devoted to pro-US propaganda.
Australian Defence Department seeks expanded powers over research
By Mike Head, 24 July 2018
Universities would be placed under wartime-style scrutiny, prohibited from undertaking research with countries regarded as US enemies, especially China.
IYSSE blocked from leafleting at Australia’s Macquarie University
By Hugh Peters, 24 July 2018
The attack on democratic rights points to administration fears that years of cuts have produced seething discontent among students and staff.
New Zealand bus drivers take action over work rosters
By our correspondents, 24 July 2018
Bus drivers are facing attacks on jobs, wages and conditions by private operators contracted by the Labour Party-led Wellington Council.
Imminent threat to Julian Assange underscores need for global defence movement
By Mike Head, 23 July 2018
Plans are afoot to subject the WikiLeaks editor to lengthy imprisonment by the British authorities, pending extradition to the US.
Australia: Tamil refugee deported, separated from his wife and baby daughter
By Max Newman, 23 July 2018
The treatment of Gnaneswaran and his family is akin to the Trump administration’s “zero tolerance” policy by which children have been ripped away from their parents.
Australia’s “foreign influence” register will attack basic democratic rights
By Mike Head, 20 July 2018
The FITS Act will require registration by all individuals and organisations deemed to collaborate with overseas entities in any political activity.
New Zealand Labour-aligned Daily Blog posts pro-war, anti-China tirade
By John Braddock, 20 July 2018
The on-line blog hails the government’s military upgrade in preparation to join US-led aggression against China.
Australia’s new espionage laws target whistleblowers and political opponents
By Mike Head, 19 July 2018
The “anti-interference” legislation goes far beyond spying by foreign agents.
Australian PM promotes racist campaign over “African gangs”
By Oscar Grenfell, 19 July 2018
Malcolm Turnbull’s remarks are part of a broader attempt to whip up nationalism and anti-immigrant xenophobia.
Australia: Another fire at Melbourne recycling plant
By Eric Ludlow, 18 July 2018
Toxic blazes continue to erupt at Australian recycling plants as companies stockpile tonnes of dangerous waste material.
Australian government prepares “foreign interference” prosecutions
By Mike Head, 17 July 2018
Australia’s political establishment, under mounting pressure from Washington to take a more aggressive stand against China, is already selecting targets to test the new laws.
New Zealand foreign minister: “Great Power competition is back”
By John Braddock, 17 July 2018
Peters’ speech underscored the strengthening alliance between the Labour-led government and the US in confronting China across the Asia-Pacific.
SEP (Australia) holds Sydney meeting against new “foreign interference” laws
By our reporters, 17 July 2018
The Sydney meeting was the first public event held by an Australian political party against the anti-democratic legislation since it was rushed through parliament late last month.
Socialist Equality Group (New Zealand) holds online health workers’ meeting
By our reporters, 17 July 2018
The SEG’s forum, which included New Zealand and Australian workers, discussed the political lessons of the July 12 strike by 30,000 nurses, healthcare assistants and midwives.
British and Ecuadorian authorities in talks to evict Julian Assange from London embassy
By Oscar Grenfell, 16 July 2018
Media reports point to the ongoing conspiracy, involving the British, US and Ecuadorian governments, to terminate Assange’s political asylum in violation of international law.
Australian royal commission reveals predatory bank lending to small businesses
By Oscar Grenfell, 16 July 2018
Testimony made clear that the banks routinely provided dubious loans that they knew small business owners and franchisees would have little chance of servicing.
In the name of combating foreign interference
Australia’s new secrecy laws block exposure of government crimes
By Mike Head, 14 July 2018
The government is seeking to prevent access to critical information that the public has the right to know.
Australia: Inquest into Dreamworld tragedy reveals health and safety violations
By Richard Phillips, 13 July 2018
A few months before the fatal October 2016 accident, company officials ordered staff to stop spending money on repairs and maintenance.
Australian lawyers association warns foreign interference laws violate rights to free speech
By Richard Phillips, 13 July 2018
“This type of regulation of civil society is a prominent feature of repressive regimes. It is not a feature of open democracies.”
Australia: Victorian bus drivers strike over wages and conditions
By our reporters, 13 July 2018
The Transport Workers Union has previously solicited donations from the bus company that it fraudulently claims to be leading a struggle against.
Australia’s new “foreign interference” laws: A threat to anti-war dissent
By Mike Head, 12 July 2018
The unprecedented laws were demanded by Washington as a model for legislation to demonise and suppress opposition to war, particularly against China.
Socialist Equality Group (New Zealand) to hold online forum: The way forward for nurses and health workers
By the Socialist Equality Group (New Zealand), 11 July 2018
The online meeting will discuss a socialist strategy to fight for decent and well-funded public health services, in opposition to the Labour Party-led government and the nurses’ union.
Ultra-nationalist US demagogue Stephen Bannon hails Australia’s new foreign interference laws
By James Cogan, 11 July 2018
The legislation is particularly admired by America’s far right, the Trump administration and the US military-intelligence establishment.
Nauru government bans ABC journalists ahead of Pacific summit
By Patrick O’Connor, 11 July 2018
Backed by the Australian government, Nauru’s president, Baron Waqa, has established a virtual dictatorship.
New Zealand defence policy targets China, Russia
By John Braddock, 11 July 2018
In line with the US Trump administration, the NZ Labour-led government is preparing for war abroad and class war at home.
New Zealand nurses reject union-backed sellout, prepare nationwide strike
By Tom Peters, 10 July 2018
Nurses, healthcare assistants and midwives in public hospitals are preparing for a nationwide strike on Thursday, after rejecting a sellout offer recommended by the New Zealand Nurses Organisation.
Amnesty International denounces Australia’s “foreign interference” laws
By Richard Phillips, 10 July 2018
“The core message from Amnesty International on these laws is that we will not be changing the way we operate.”
Australian unions’ bogus campaign over sacking of Longford maintenance workers
By Oscar Grenfell, 10 July 2018
The unions now claim to be leading a “struggle” in defence of the workers, having enforced the destruction of their jobs 12 months ago.
Australia’s foreign interference laws threaten whistleblowers and media freedom
By James Cogan, 9 July 2018
In 2010, Assange and WikiLeaks had committed no crime for informing millions about US war crimes. Today, under the new legislation, such courageous actions could attract a penalty of decades in jail.
Paramedic’s suicide points to crisis in Australian ambulance services
By John Mackay and Cheryl Crisp, 9 July 2018
Tony Jenkins, 54, took his own life following a meeting with senior management in the New South Wales Ambulance Service.
Following passage of “foreign interference” laws
Australia pushes Pacific Pact to combat China
By Mike Head, 7 July 2018
The two regional imperialist powers are seeking to shore up their dominance in the southwest Pacific, in partnership with the US.
Delhi Metro rail threatened with India’s essential services laws; New Zealand teachers vote in favour of strike
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
7 July 2018
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
Australian business heads warned not to criticise “foreign interference” laws
By Mike Head, 6 July 2018
In a sign of the government’s rush to enforce the new laws, they were given royal assent on June 29, just a day after being passed.
New Zealand nurses denounce union promotion of sellout deal
By Tom Peters, 6 July 2018
There is widespread anger as the nursing trade union tries to prevent a strike and impose an agreement that maintains low pay and hospital understaffing.
Australian investigation underscores global health dangers of toxic foam exposure
By Patrick Davies, 6 July 2018
The official response to a PFAS-related cancer cluster in the US city of Oakdale mirrors the indifference of Australian authorities to a similar health crisis.
Persecution of WikiLeaks editor Julian Assange continues
By James Cogan, 5 July 2018
The US, British and Australian governments are utilising the Ecuadorian government to try and break Assange by denying him any external communication or visitors.
East Timorese government sworn in, instability escalates
By Patrick O’Connor, 5 July 2018
The new government confronts an escalating political and economic crisis, exacerbated by rising geo-political tensions and the efforts of the US and its allies to counter China’s influence.
Australian teenager sentenced to 12 years in prison on trumped-up terror charges
By Oscar Grenfell, 4 July 2018
The case is the latest in a series of high-profile “terror” prosecutions which have not revealed any specific terror attack or plan.
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