In the early 1970s Jack Mundey led a union of builders labourers that took strike action and imposed bans on developments that were then worth around $5 billion. At the time, Jack and his union, the Builders Labourers Federation, were intensely vilified. Death threats were common. The BLF were challenging the power of developers, a … Continue reading Jack Mundey: why the inspiration lives on
11th anniversary of massacre of Tamils – some of the worst crimes ever committed
Due to the COVID-19 lockdown the Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day ceremony was held on line. The occasion was very moving. This is my speech to mark the occasion. -------------- Today, May 18, is a most significant date for Tamils in Sri Lanka and the diaspora Tamil community scattered around the world. Today is the … Continue reading 11th anniversary of massacre of Tamils – some of the worst crimes ever committed
Turkish political prisoners at COVID-19 risk — Prime Minister Erdogan’s dangerous move
Are the Turkish authorities using the COVID-19 crisis to kill off those who oppose their rule? This might seem to be an extreme proposition but it is a fair conclusion in light of recent actions of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that leaves thousands of his opponents locked in gaols where they are exposed to … Continue reading Turkish political prisoners at COVID-19 risk — Prime Minister Erdogan’s dangerous move
One Member One Vote – only democratic option for a Greens Party
This week Greens members around the country should receive their ballot paper to vote in a plebiscite to determine how the federal parliamentary leader of the Australian Greens will be selected. I would like to explain how I am voting. There is some complexity because of the way the questions are phrased. There are three … Continue reading One Member One Vote – only democratic option for a Greens Party
Speech – Kashmir Solidarity Day 2020
Kashmiri boys and young men are regularly rounded up by Indian military and police. They are often sent to gaols in India, thousands of kilometres from their home, where it is nearly impossible for their families to visit them. This speech was given at a function for Kashmir Solidarity Day 2020, held at the Pakistan … Continue reading Speech – Kashmir Solidarity Day 2020
Bill Ryan, Second World War Kokoda Trail veteran, arrested seven times at climate actions, dies at 97
MEDIA RELEASE 24 December 2019 Bill Ryan, Second World War Kokoda Trail veteran, arrested seven times at climate actions, dies at 97 Bill Ryan, a 97 year old veteran of the Second World War Kokoda Campaign, died yesterday. His life and work for climate action and social change is being widely celebrated amongst activists and … Continue reading Bill Ryan, Second World War Kokoda Trail veteran, arrested seven times at climate actions, dies at 97
Don’t forget the Tamil genocide
Review of Losing Santhia: Life and Loss in the Struggle for Tamil Eelam, by Ben Hillier (Interventions, 2019). This article first appeared in Jacobin on 20 October 2019. ———————- The annihilation of an ethnic or national group is inevitably accompanied by rape, sexual humiliation, disappearances, mass murder, and torture. Victims’ suffering is acute, and survivors’ … Continue reading Don’t forget the Tamil genocide
My speech on receiving Champion of Public Education Award
Yesterday the NSW Teachers Federation Conference very kindly presented me with a Champion of Public Education award. In my speech I mentioned the Schools funding bill from 2017 and the way the Greens handled it. Thank you. Being made a champion of public education is an enormous honour and that the award is made by … Continue reading My speech on receiving Champion of Public Education Award
Oration for Merv Murchie
I acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we meet and pay tribute to their history, their culture and their ongoing fight for justice. Saying this acknowledgement of country meant a great deal to Merv. He was deeply committed to the struggles of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. He was an active … Continue reading Oration for Merv Murchie
Mass Hunger Strike Win A Positive Sign For Kurdish Struggle
In May New Matilda published my article on the Kurdish struggle. Thousands of Kurds have just ended their political hunger strike claiming success in the tactical battle with the Erdogan government about the future of the Kurdish struggle for peace with justice. The hunger strike, initiated in November 2018 by Leyla Guyen, a Kurdish member of … Continue reading Mass Hunger Strike Win A Positive Sign For Kurdish Struggle
