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National Leadership
After a week of front-page political chicanery we are to get more John Howard; who at a time of his choosing will pitch for a fourth election victory by going head to head with the son of a Whitlam Minister.
History: Nest of Traitors
Rowan Cahill uncovers a ripping yarn that could redefine the way we look at Australian involvement in World War II.
Interview: A Nation of Hope
Former PM Bob Hawke bemoans the demise of industrial relations but takes heart from the prospect of peace in the Middle East
Unions: National Focus
Noel Hester reports on a soap star rebellion, Howard’s plans to renuclearise South Australia, more historical atrocities in the north, the redundancy test case plus more in the monthly national wrap.
Safety: The Shocking Truth
It’s every power worker’s worst nightmare – and it happened to Adrian Ware. In a flash of voltage, his life changed forever, as Jim Marr reports.
Tribute: A Comrade Departed
From Prime Ministers to wharfies, the labour movement paid tribute to Tas Bull this week. Jim Marr was among them.
History: Working Bees
Neale Towart looks at a group of workers who got sacked so their boss could keep making the Bomb.
Education: The Big Picture
The NTEU’s Dr Mike Donaldson and Tony Brown join all the dots in the current debate around higher eduction.
International: Static Labour
Ray Marcelo argues there’s another side to the recent furore over Telstra’s use of cheap Indian IT contractors.
Economics: Budget And Fudge It
Frank Stilwell argues that Peter Costello’s latest budget plumbs fiscal policy to new depths.
Technology: Google and Campaigning
Labourstart’s Eric Lee argues the latest weapon for campaigning could be the humble search engine.
Review: Secretary With A Difference
Looking for a new job can be hard enough, without having to worry about sadomasochistic bosses and the threat of being spanked for forgetting to cross your ‘t’s, says Tara de Boehmler.
Poetry: The Minimale
The Labor Party leadership is in the news again, inspiring our resident bard David Peetz to song
Satire: Howard Calls for Senate to be Replaced by Clap-O-Meter
John Howard released a controversial policy statement today, arguing that the Senate be abolished in favour of a device measuring noise from the gallery of the House of Representatives.
 Allianz Claims on Sick and Dying
Back Pay Bill From Behind the Bars
Gloves Off for Local Voices
Stabbings Ground Job Cuts – For Now
Red Light for Cut Price Labour Hire
Sacked Workers’ Ultimate Insult
Electrolux Repays Survival With Bastardry
Survivor Urges Compo Rethink
Nurses: Bosses Should Foot Bank Fees
Telstra Workers Show Bottle
Rail Workers Telegraph Press Council Track
Call Centre Leak Shames Stellar
Malaysian Detainees Released
Western Sahara Tests UN
Activist Notebook
Politics
It’s Our Party
Long time union watcher Nicholas Way looks at the changing dynamics between the industrial and political wings of the labour movement. The Soapbox
Grass Roots
In his Maiden Speech, new MP Tony Burke argues that the ALP’s union links are nothing to be ashamed of.
Media
Opinion Forming Down Under
Evan Jones condemns the mainstream’s media coverage of the War on Iraq and the damage it is doing to our national psyche.
The Locker Room
Location, Re-Location!
It’s all fun and games until someone loses a club, writes Phil Doyle
Blowing Holes in Gittens
Negative Campaigning
Response to Gould
Aged Policy Looks Hairy
Tom's Turn
God Save Billy Deane
Solidarity Forever
More Bad Language
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News
Malaysian Detainees Released
A small but enthusiastic crowd was outside the Kuala Lumpur magistrate court this week to welcome back ISA detainees Tian Chua and Hishamuddian Rais.
Both Tian Chua and Hishamuddian were detained without trial, together with four others--the ISA Six--under the notorious Internal Security Act (ISA) in June 2001, for planning to topple the government through militant means--charges they all denied.
'We feel relief, but it is not yet freedom. The freedom will come when the ISA is abolished,' Tian Chua said.
'There are many more, more than 100 people still detained in Kamunting under the ISA. Until this law is repealed and put in the graveyard we will continue to fight,' Hishamuddian added.
They were part of the 'reformasi' group campaigning for the release of the former Deputy Prime Minister, Anwar Ibraham when they were arrested and detained.
Tian Chua is a vice president of the opposition party--Keadilan, headed by Anwar Ibraham's wife Wan Azizah, while Hishamuddin Rais is an activist and Malaysiakini columnist-cum-filmmaker. Both have lived in Australia--Tian Chua studied at the University of NSW and Hishamuddian was in Australia briefly in the late 70s.
In a surprise move, their two years detention were not extended by the Home Minister--the Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi.
Tian Chua and Hishamuddin were informed of their release from the ISA late on Sunday 31 May. But their released had to be delayed until they appear for bail applications in the Kuala Lumpur court to face separate charges of unlawful assemblies. Their charges will be heard later in the year.
Tian Chua and Hishamuddin thanked their supporters in Malaysia and abroad for their support. They believe international pressure and the increasing awareness in Malaysia were the key to their release.
'I am very glad and I would like to thank everyone in Australia for their solidarity,' Tian Chua said. Tian Chua is confident the solidarity that have been built on the ISA campaign will continue in all other aspects so that 'Australia, Malaysia and all other South East Asian nations will unite together to create a zone of peace and human rights.' Tian Chua hopes to make a visit to Australia soon.
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Issue 181 contents
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