Oceania
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.
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.
Australia: Fire safety problems in new student accommodation
By Mark Church, December 14, 2012
Scores of new student apartments are not fire proof because of an unclear definition in Australian building codes.
Australian national income falls as global downturn deepens
By Mike Head, December 8, 2012
For all the Labor government’s claims that the economy is sheltered from the international turmoil, the latest data reflects the renewed worldwide slump.
Protests continue in Australian refugee detention camps
By Mark Church, December 8, 2012
Detainees are protesting against the barbaric conditions in the Pacific island camps, as well as the uncertainty surrounding their asylum claims.
Survey shows Australian teachers oppose NAPLAN testing
By Oliver Campbell, December 7, 2012
Ranking schools by NAPLAN literacy and numeracy test results is part of the Labor government’s regressive education agenda.
Papua New Guinea PM pledges fealty to Australian government, mining investors
By Patrick O’Connor, December 6, 2012
As well as emphasising the centrality of PNG’s relations with Canberra and Washington, O’Neill used his Australian trip to curry favour with the mining giants.
Australian central bank cuts interest rates amid signs of economic slump
By Mike Head, December 5, 2012
The new rate matches what Treasurer Wayne Swan called the “emergency” setting in April 2009 amid the global financial crisis.
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