[indymedia-melb] Melbourne Indymedia Newsletter 09/10/06

Sun Oct 8 23:37:04 PDT 2006

Melbourne Indymedia Newsletter 09/10/06
http://melbourne.indymedia.org/
http://oceania.indymedia.org

: : New Features : :

: : Events/Actions : :

: : Next Meeting : :

: : Suggestions/Feedback/Contact/Donate : :

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: : New Features : :
All features can be viewed in full at:
http://melbourne.indymedia.org/

When Corporations Spy on Activists...
09/10/2006
Amcor and elements of the CFMEU set up and funded an 'A-team' to spy  
on and infiltrate environmental activist groups during the 1990s,  
according to a recent Four Corners program. In May/June 2001 it was  
discovered that a member of the Barricade anarchist bookshop  
collective was a spy "in the employ of a number of corporations (in  
particular, those in the mining and timber industries) seeking to  
obtain otherwise ?confidential? information on individuals and groups  
in the environmental movement." according to @ndy from Barricade  
Books. The person also infiltrated 3CR, Friends of the Earth and  
Nuclear Free Australia.

Five Arrested at Pine Gap Spybase
07/10/2006
Five people were arrested on Saturday during a protest at the gates of  
the US Pine Gap spy base outside of Alice Springs. The arrests came at  
the end of an afternoon of activities by about 60 local and interstate  
activists drawing attention to the role the secret base plays in US  
and Australian state sponsored terrorism in Iraq. The action coincides  
with the first stage of the trial of four Christian peace activists  
who broke into Pine Gap last year and face seven years in prison. Read  
More

Autogeddon - a Comedy on Car Culture
07/10/2006
A comedy play about the end of the world by motorcar has become a cult  
hit in Melbourne. Autogeddon the play is based on an epic poem :
"Half the world?s paychecks are auto-related,
Half the world?s resources are auto-devoted,
And half the world will be involved in an auto-accident
At some time during their life.
Take the precaution of attaching the chrome fender to a car,
Hit someone over the head with it, and kill them?
Six months suspended.
Licence briefly withheld."

On Trial for Citizens Inspection of Pine Gap Spybase
07/10/2006
Christian pacifist activists faced court this week in the Supreme  
Court in Alice Springs. They are the first ever to face charges under  
the Defence (Special Undertakings) Act 1952, and risk up to seven  
years in jail. The legislation was devised to supress spies and  
saboteurs in the cold war era. The Four activists, calling themselves  
"Chrisitans Against ALL Terrorism" are Jim Dowling, Bryan Law, Adele  
Goldie and Donna Mulhearn, entered the Pine Gap military base to do a  
citizens inspection. Colourful processions, silent vigils and protests  
are accompanying the trial.

Heinemann Electric, No Stranger to Oppression
06/10/2006
"What began as a standard EBA negotiation has turned into a farcical  
battle against an arrogant, petty and childish management. Workers  
were asking simply that their previous EBA be rolled over, that their  
entitlements continue to be guaranteed, and a reasonable wage increase  
be granted." said Cheryl Cemeljic from the picket line.

Yallourn Workers Locked-out for 3 Months
05/10/2006
Mechanical Engineering Services have locked out 48 workers for a  
period of 3 months from the Yallourn Workshop in the Latrobe Valley.  
According to Gippsland Trades & Labour Council, the company has used  
Howard?s Treacherous IR laws against these workers and is refusing to  
negotiate on a new enterprise agreement.

Cycling 'School Bus' Quietly Takes Off as Thousands Cycle to Work
05/10/2006
Moreland Council has embarked on an innovative program to get more  
kids cycling to school: cycling "school buses". The initiative comes  
as tens of thousands of cyclists rode to work on 4 October, in a  
nationally co-ordinated Ride to Work Day, the largest so far in its 13  
year history.

Aboriginal Activist compares Howard Government to Hitler
02/10/2006
Michael Anderson, a Sydney Aboriginal political activist, has accused  
the Howard Government of hypocrisy, racism and of an apartheid  
mentality, and likened "the land policies of the Howard government to  
Hitler's Mein Kampf...". He condemned a statement by the Attorney  
General, Phillip Ruddock, as "gross and unforgivable, when he stated  
that 'The Native Tile decision over Western Australia could block  
non-Aboriginal from beaches and parks.'"

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: : Events/Actions : :

The Melbourne Indymedia events calendar is up and running at:
http://www.melbourne.indymedia.org/calendar/
Go to the calendar for full details or add your own event.

(1) Stop G20 meeting at RMIT
Tuesday Oct. 10, 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Student Union Council meeting room near Swanston St in the city the  
Student Union Council meeting room is in the back of building 12.
Event Topic: Anti-Corporate
Event Type: Meeting
Future meetings of stopg20 - now held each week on Tuesday nights from  
7-9pm - will be at the RMIT Student Union Council meeting room near  
Swanston St in the city the Student Union Council meeting room is in  
the back of building 12).
Feel free to come if you've got skills, time, ideas, etc to offer  
towards organising for g20-related events and activities.
Or email info at stopg20.org.
Lots of help is needed.

(2) The Power of community: How Cuba survived peak oil
Wednesday Oct. 11, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Church Hall, 10A Hyde St, Footscray
Event Topic: Ecology
Event Type: Film Screening
With the world's fossil fuel reserves rapidly depleting, and the  
dangerous nuclear path being pushed as the alternative by big  
business, is there any other solution?
This film looks at the way Cuba dealt with the loss of its oil imports  
following the collapse of the Soviet Union, through sustainable  
agriculture, alternative energy and community-based solutions that  
left no-one worse off.
entry by donation
sponsored by Western Suburbs Socialist Alliance branch  
http://www.socialist-alliance.org/melbourne/

(3) Pro-choice Rally
Thursday Oct. 12, 12:30pm - 1:30pm
Parliament Steps, Spring St
Event Topic: Health
Event Type: Protest
In the lead up to the State Election, Socialist Alliance is calling  
upon all parties to take a stand on the vital issue of a woman's right  
to choose. We are organising a speakout to rally all allies to the  
cause.
The issue of decriminalising abortion is part of the ALP's platform  
for the November 25 Victorian state election, but Premier Steve Bracks  
is keen to downplay this.
The Socialist Alliance is calling upon all parties to commit to the  
following policies:
TAKE ABORTION OFF THE CRIMINAL CODE
MAKE ABORTION SERVICES FREELY AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT VICTORIA
TAKE RELIGIOUS PREJUDICE OUT OF WOMEN'S HEALTH COUNSELLING SERVICES

(4) PROUD
Thursday Oct. 12, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Margaret Lawrence Galleries, 40 Dodds St (cnr Grant St), Southbank.
Event Topic: Students
Event Type: Party
Student union art exhibition survives: PROUD to be 10!
On Thursday 12 October 2006, Victorian College of the Arts student  
Union (VCASU) will celebrate the 10th anniversary of its annual art  
exhibition PROUD. Marita Hamalainen, VCASU's Art School representative  
said, "PROUD is increasingly becoming a high-profile event, attracting  
a diverse audience to students' work emerging from the VCA. PROUD was  
a huge success last year with almost two-thirds of Art School students  
exhibiting and participating. It was a testimony to the strength and  
diversity not only of the standard of work emerging from the VCA but  
also of the VCA community itself. This year we hope to make the  
exhibition even more dynamic, with work from across the spectrum of  
mediums and a range of conceptual concerns."
All artworks in the show will be for sale.

(5) Wilfred Burchett Documentary Showing
Thursday Oct. 12, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Gippsland Migrant Resource Centre, 100-102 Buckley Street, Morwell
Event Topic: Other
Event Type: Film Screening
Coalition for Peace and Justice will commence showing a various  
documentary films at the Migrant Resource Centre in Morwell. As the  
recent poll shows, the majority of Australians are well aware that the  
invasion of Iraq didn't help the national security. Violence only  
leads to further violence. Attacking other sovereign state to begin  
with, all based on lies must not be repeated any more. That is not the  
right way you deal with other nations in the world.
Entry by donation.

(6) Ngapartji Ngapartji
Thursday Oct. 12 - Tuesday Oct. 17
George Fairfax Theatre, Vic Arts Centre
Event Topic: Other
Event Type: Theatre
Using ?puntu? (body), ?inma? (song) and ?tjukurpa? (story) and  
performed in Pitjantjatjara, English, Japanese, Hazari and Greek,  
Ngapartji Ngapartji explores the impact of the Cold War on the 20th  
century through the prism of Trevor?s family experience in the South  
Australian desert. This epic story of displacement unfolds across  
Trevor?s ?ngura? (country) to reveal conspiracies, cover-ups,  
negligence and the naïve bullying of a self-assured international  
leadership blinded by profit, fear and warmongering.
Performer and Spinifex man Trevor Jamieson returns with an ensemble  
cast for the world premiere of Ngapartji Ngapartji. Performers,  
including elders and young people from the Pitjantjatjara community,  
share an intensely moving story through the complexity of  
Pitjantjatjara language and culture.
http://www.ngapartji.org

(7) Melbourne Food Co-op 30th B'day party
Friday Oct. 13, 6:30pm ? 12:30pm
North Fitzroy, Edinburgh Gardens Community room. Right next to the stadium!
Event Topic: Other
Event Type: Benefit Gig
A FUNdraising Party cellebrating 30 years of organics, bulk foods and  
community.
The Melbourne University Food Coop has been promoting socially and  
envrionmentally sustainable food for 30 years. We want to continue for  
another 30 years, so come along and show your support
Join us for a FEAST of yummy ethical, GM-free, non-irradiated, local,  
organic/ biodynamic fare provided by our favourite Food Not Bombers  
and Friends. Buy a brew or two, relax and digest with some beautiful  
tunes from our talented members before working it off to the Funky  
sounds of:
"PAPA RADIO"
(featuring members of Papa Chango, the Trojan Horns and the Radio Thieves!!)
Bring your friends, dancing feet and your most supreme dessert  
creation to enter the Great Bake-Off!
Tickets: $10 / $20 Why not organise a table for ten of your mates!
Available from Melb Uni Food Coop, First Floor, Union House, Melb Uni,  
from Monday Oct 2nd OR Contact Mel: Melanie.Oke at frankston.vic.gov.au  
or leave a msg: 9329 3102 to secure your booking
For more information contact: Ash ashleym at internode.on.net 0410 354477  
or Jeremy JeremyJLavender at hotmail.com 0411 277 885

(8) Satisfaction
Friday Oct. 13 & Saturday Oct 14, 7:30pm ? 8:30pm
Trades Hall, New Council Chambers, cnr Lygon and Victoria St Carlton
Event Topic: Gender&Sexuality
Event Type: Theatre
Bob and Blanche.
Cheryl and Gareth.
Peter, Tony and Tania.
We all know that politicians are having sex.
But how do these sexual relationships affect their politics?
The Union Players take you behind closed doors and between the dirty  
sheets of the political world in Satisfaction.
Satisfaction's string of vignettes explore the web of relationships  
between members of a parliament, and the scandals that threaten to  
bring a government undone. Who is sleeping with who? How will it  
affect the numbers? And what will house band 'The Press Gallery' have  
to say about it?
In politics, there may be safe seats, but there's no such thing as safe sex.

(9) Land Supply & Housing Affordability
Friday Oct. 13, 7:30pm - 9:30pm
Prosper Australia, Level 1, 27 Hardware Lane
Event Topic: Housing
Event Type: Discussion
Hear 2 experts talk about the threats to home affordability. Is land  
supply to blame or is this just another push by conservatives for  
unlimited urban sprawl? What is missing from the debate?

Ken Fernandes (Stop Evictions & Asian Coalition for Housing Rights)  
will discuss the latest on Housing Rights in developing countries.  
Bryan Kavanagh (Land Values Research Group) will analyse why similar  
conditions threaten many in supposedly wealthy countries.
Q & A will be followed by a few philosophical glasses of red and if  
we're lucky a few nibbles. Hope to see you for a practical night of  
discussions.
Earthsharing Australia

(10) Plug in TV incorporation meeting
Saturday Oct. 14, 10:00am - 1:00pm
The Cafe at Ceres Environmental Park in Brunswick
Event Topic: Independent Media
Event Type: Meeting
Plug in TV is planning to incorporate as a not for profit independent  
media collective.
We are seeking advice on legal and financial matters which can assist  
in making Plug in TV a well functioning democratic
cooperative.
In this meeting we will discuss what is the best arrangement to assist  
us as media producers of social and ecological justice issues.
The meeting is open to the public.

(11) Save Merri and Edgars Creek Parkland
Sunday Oct. 15, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Civic Centre 90 Bell St Coburg
Event Topic: Ecology
Event Type: Meeting
At the junction of the Merri and Edgars creeks in North Coburg there  
exists a tranquil oasis of native vegetation, walking paths, free golf  
driving range and open parkland for the off-leash exercising of pets.  
Set aside years ago for the F2 freeway project by VicRoads, the new  
Craigieburn bypass has rendered this open space available for disposal  
by the State Government.

(12) Great socialist feminist Sjoelback competition!
Sunday Oct. 15, 5:30pm - 9:30pm
Solidarity Salon: 580 Sydney Road, Brunswick
Event Topic: Independent Media
Event Type: Other
Radical Women and the Freedom Socialist Party are teaming up to  
present a social Sjoelback competition using two boards hand crafted  
in Gippsland. You?ll learn how to play the game. Absolutely no prior  
knowledge or sports prowess required! You?ll have fun with great  
company. You?ll also have a chance to win fabulous prize. And, after  
the grand final, relax an enjoy a traditional Northern European  
dinner. And every dollar raised will benefit the $5,000 Freedom  
Socialist and Freedom Socialist Bulletin fund drive!
The doors will open at 5:30 pm, Sjoelback competition kicks off at  
6:30 pm, and a traditional Northern European dinner will be served at  
8 pm.
The event will be held at Solidarity Salon: 580 Sydney Road,  
Brunswick. (Catch an Upfield line train or a Sydney Road Tram.) Plenty  
of free parking is available at the rear.
Solidarity price is $20; full price is $12 and concession is $8. Bar  
service is available. For more information call 03-9388-0062.

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: : Next Meeting : :

To be advised.

You can always find out when the next Melbourne Indymedia Meeting is  
by emailing the collective. info at melbourne.indymedia.org

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