Banking inquiry shows how capitalism sucks
Not even the dead are safe from the predatory practices of big capital. Scarcely a month into a year-long (now possibly longer, given the scale of the crimes being uncovered) banking royal commission, we have a steady stream of revelations about bribery, deception and conning customers. AM...CONTINUE READING
Tax cuts arguments are economic blackmail
One of the main arguments put forward in favour of massive tax cuts for big business – including billions for the banks whose nefarious practices are being exposed by the royal commission – is that if they aren’t given a tax cut, they will refuse to invest or will take their money offshore...CONTINUE READING
More government handouts for Australia’s richest private schools
The Turnbull government has handed an extra $7.1 million to 102 of the richest private schools in the country. This is the first instalment of a $40 million National Adjustment Assistance Fund created to help “vulnerable and disadvantaged” schools transition to Gonski 2.0 – the cut-price L...CONTINUE READING
Peaceful protest and civil liberties under attack by Queensland Police during Stolenwealth Games
We strongly condemn the actions of the Queensland police throughout the Stolenwealth Games protests, particularly in the lead up to the closing night ceremony where police have targeted known protest organisers. The police brutality at peaceful protests organised by the Stolenwealth Games...CONTINUE READING
Books not bombs!
Australia is a global leader in exporting death and participating in predatory wars. And its ranking among warmongering states is only climbing. This was made clear in the Turnbull government’s 2016 Defence White Paper, which outlined “the largest [military] procurement program in Australi...CONTINUE READING
BP slip-up says it all about big business and the environment
It’s like something from satirical website the Onion or Australia’s Betoota Advocate. In a draft 2016 environment plan, slated for submission to the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority as part of its bid to begin oil drilling in the Great Australian Bi...CONTINUE READING
Designs against humanity
Homelessness is on the rise across the country; every night roughly 8,200 people are forced to fend for themselves on the cold and dirty streets of major Australian cities. This social crisis is not being met with more beds, welfare and compassion from those with the money, resources and l...CONTINUE READING
‘That’s all youse are good for’: footage shows real role of Victoria Police
“How tough are youse?”, asks disability pensioner John. His personal CCTV cameras show him hunched over on his front lawn, beaten and pepper-sprayed. The pain comes through in his voice. A cop shoots water at his face with a high-pressure garden hose while five others watch, some laughing,...CONTINUE READING
Building a campaign to change the rules
Over the coming weeks, tens of thousands of workers will take to the streets in mass rallies as part of the Australian Council of Trade Unions’ “Change the Rules” campaign. Union delegates meet in Melbourne on 17 April; they are likely to endorse a CBD rally for 9 May. Unions in other citi...CONTINUE READING