Billions in tax rorts for the rich still untouched
The 2016 Budget robs the poor to pay the rich. Its cuts to social welfare and other government payments and programs all had one target in mind—to fund tax cuts for big business. The handouts to business will cost $48 billion over ten years.
Inside the system
Centrelink stuff up hits thousands of students; NSW cops abandon 8-year-old in wagon; 16-year-old terror suspect egged on by cops; Student study exposes racist cops; Rich to skip airport queues under new plan; Major Liberal donor caught in Panama papers
Manus will close: Offshore detention in tatters
The decision by the PNG Supreme Court means that one half of the government’s offshore processing regime is finished, writes Ian Rintoul.
Alternatives to detention and deterrence of refugees
Both major parties remain firmly committed to the offshore detention and deterrence of refugees coming here. So what is the alternative?
Turnbull backs big corporates over safety and truckies’ pay
In April the Liberals abolished the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal (RSRT), in another gift to big business.
Sacked for being Australian? No sacked for being union
Since February, the maritime union’s ad “Sacked for Being Australian” has been playing on TV and radio, and is part of a marginal seat campaign saying the union is fighting for “Australians and Australian jobs’”. But the ad, and the nationalist ideas behind it, are counter-productive to building a real fight for jobs.
Patrick threatens wharfies with nationwide lockout
Patrick has threatened wharfies at its container terminals with an indefinite lockout in response to any further industrial action, as a bitter dispute over a new agreement drags on.
Borroloola youth step up the fight for climate justice
Padraic Gibson spoke to three young leaders from Borroloola in the NT, Scott McDinny, Nathan Fitzpatrick and Conrad Rory, about the community's fight against the mining and gas fracking that is destroying their land
Obituary: John Kaye 1955-2016, Greens MP
John Kaye’s death has robbed the left of one of our most effective campaigners writes Greens member Bruce Knobloch.
Nuit Debout—France’s new movement challenging politics as usual
A promising new protest movement has emerged in France. Triggered by new labour laws which drastically favour employers, the “Nuit Debout”—“up all night”—movement started on 31 March with the occupation of a central Paris square after a union-called demonstration
Protests in Egypt met with brutal repression
Protests took to the streets of Egypt in April despite a ban on demonstrations. The coordination and determination of the mobilisations marks a shift in the confidence of the opposition to the regime.
Workers’ protests grow as Chinese economy falters
Social conflict and working class mobilisation in China are set to intensify as its once impressive economy decelerates and company profits decline.
Can planning replace the market
Solidarity looks at how a socialist planned economy that puts the needs of people and planet first could work
No matter who wins the election: It’s the rich who rule
The rich run society in the interest of profit—and we can’t vote them out come July, explains James Supple
Unions and the 1926 British general strike
Ninety years on, Vivian Honan discusses the 1926 general strike, and how faith in left-wing union officials produced a devastating setback
The horrible history of the Assad regime
Lachlan Marshall explains the Syrian regime’s history of deals with imperialism and attacks on its own working class in order to boost its own wealth and power
Liberals’ budget means more fees and cuts ahead for universities
Treasurer Scott Morrison didn’t mention higher education in his budget speech. But major reforms have simply been delayed one more year, until the beginning of 2018. The Liberals are hoping to keep their plans quiet until after the election.
