
Issue No 37		29 October 1999

News

Carnivale Changes An Assault On Working Class Migrants

Changes to the board of the multicultural arts festival Carnivale represent an attack on working class migrants by bureaucrats who want to see a return to a traditional folkloric festival.


	Lex Marinos and Frank Pank Panucci

NSW unions last night passed a resolution supporting the five Carnivale staff who have quit the organisation in protest over changes to the Carivale board, driven by the Premier's advisers without consultation with migrant communities or NESB artists.

They voiced their support after Carnivale director Lex Marinos outlined why he was quitting the post after three successful years. He said following new appointments by Premier Carr's office Carnivale would no longer be able to operate as an indpendent community organisation.

"This is hands-on interference by a government trying to take control of all the organisations it funds," Marinos says.

Labor Council secretary Michael Costa says Marinos and general manager Frank Panucci had played a valuable role in creating a genuine grassroots community festival, with activities concentrated in Sydney's west.

"If these people leave, there are real concerns that Carnivale will become nothing more than a tokenistic, assimilationist festival wear participants wear colourful cloths and perform interesting dances.

"What Marinos and Panucci have achieved is something for more genuine and relevant to contemporary multicultural Sydney. Their treatment is nothing short of a disgrace."

The Labor Council calls on the Premier to reconsider the recent appointments to the board and make all future appointments in consultation with migrant communities. The two vacant board positions should be filled through this process.

"There are real concerns for the viability of Carnivale if a new board and new staff have to prepare a state wide festival from scratch in 11 months," Costa says.

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Issue 37 contents

Republic: Yes, It's Time
Opposition leader Kim Beazley invoked the spirit of '72 when he launched the ALP's Republic campaign.

Interview: What Price a Just Republic?
Magistrate Pat O�Shane is far from happy with the republican model. But she still believes a Yes vote is her best chance for genuine constitutional reform.

Economics: Who the EFIC are you?
If you have not heard of Export Credit Agencies, don't be surprised because it seems they're not too interested in letting the public know what they do.

Unions: Old Habits Die Hard
With the release of its blue print unions@work the ACTU seems to know where it wants to go. But again it has failed to face up to the underlying structural issues preventing it from getting there.

Legal: Second Wave: Reith's Non-Right to Strike
Peter Reith has called his new laws the Workplace relations Amendment (More Jobs Better Pay) Bill 1999. If legislation is to carry these new, colloquial titles then the �More Control, Less Freedom� Bill would be a better title.

International: Wahid�s New Team
Indonesias new government is blemished by Suharto-era appointees but an advance for reform, says Indonesia�s trade unions.

History: They Fought Them on the Airwaves
Radio broadcasts were an important weapon in the long-running struggle for equal pay.

Satire: Revealed: SOCOG Reserving Gold Medals for Tattersalls
The scandal over the secret allotment of premium tickets for the 2000 Olympics escalated today with the news that members of Sydney�s elite Tattersall�s Club will receive Gold Medals without actually competing.

Review: What The Age Wouldn�t Print
Some time before Monday 18 October, Age editor Michael Gawenda saw red and then got out his blue pencil. An article, heavily critical of Robert Manne, written by Overland editor Ian Syson, was pulled by Gawenda.

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» Union Construct New Buildings for East Timor

» Holy Sheet! Dirty Olympic Linen to Cost Jobs

» Lunchtime Sizzles as Workers Burn

» Carnivale Changes An Assault On Working Class Migrants

» Child Carers Fight Christmas Lay-Offs

» Spiderman Strikes as Women Sink Second Wave

» Big Rail Fine Just Tip of Iceberg

» Micky Mouse Union Blocked by Commission

» Where Were You on November 6?

» POSITION VACANT: MEAA Inquiry Desk Officer