Australia and South Pacific
Australian government abandons budget surplus pledge
By Patrick O’Connor, December 21, 2012
Next year’s election is shaping up as a conspiracy against the working class—all the parliamentary parties are committed to a savage austerity agenda, but none will discuss it publicly.
Australian refugee lawyer condemns deportations to Sri Lanka
By Mike Head, December 21, 2012
A lawyer involved in 16 recent Sri Lankan deportation cases explains that methods being used by the government are unlawful.
The Australian Labor government and the “mummy bloggers”
By Patrick O’Connor, December 20, 2012
The feminist “rebranding” of Gillard is part of the Labor Party’s desperate efforts to prevent an electoral rout at next year’s federal election.
New Zealand earthquake report whitewashes government’s role
By John Braddock, December 19, 2012
The collapse of the television (CTV) building during the Christchurch earthquake of February 2011 cost the lives of 115 people.
Australia boosts links with Sri Lankan regime
By Mike Head, December 19, 2012
The Australian foreign minister announced closer military cooperation in preventing refugees fleeing Sri Lanka and exercising their right to seek asylum.
Australian hospital patients waiting longer under Labor’s “health reform”
By Mike Head, December 18, 2012
The data underscores the fraud of the government’s claims that its three-year-old “national health reform” program seeks to improve patient care.
After devastating Samoa, Cyclone Evan hits Fiji
By Oliver Campbell, December 17, 2012
The Samoan government has announced a state of disaster after the cyclone left 4 dead, 8 missing and 200 injured.
Workers and youth speak about the relevance of the Russian Revolution today
By our correspondents, December 17, 2012
Audience members in Melbourne and Sydney spoke with the WSWS about the Russian Revolution and its contemporary significance.
Australian state government prepares to privatise railways
By Terry Cook, December 15, 2012
The privatisation of rail and other assets by state governments is being driven by the federal Labor government’s restructuring agenda.
SEP (Australia)
Film showing of Tsar to Lenin in Sydney this Sunday
December 14, 2012
Nick Beams, the national secretary of the Socialist Equality Party, will introduce the showing of the great historical documentary Tsar to Lenin with a lecture on “The Historical and Contemporary Political Significance of the 1917 Russian Revolution”.
Australian foreign minister visits Sri Lanka to tighten anti-refugee measures
By Mike Head, December 14, 2012
Gillard’s government is stepping up its partnership with the autocratic Sri Lankan regime to prevent refugee boats sailing from the island.
Australian pseudo-left backs imperialist intervention in Syria
By Patrick O’Connor, Nick Beams, December 14, 2012
The overt shift by Socialist Alternative into the imperialist camp is bound up with the new political requirements of the Labor government.
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