Australia and South Pacific
Australian coal miners strike over safety, wages and conditions
By Richard Phillips, February 20, 2012
The seven-day strike, the longest by BMA miners in more than a decade, is over management demands for cost-cutting trade-offs in a new enterprise agreement.
Three fishermen perish in Southern Ocean fire
By John Braddock, February 20, 2012
There has been a litany of mishaps, ship sinkings, deaths, industrial accidents and gross exploitation within the fishing industry.
Alcoa Australia threatens to axe Geelong smelter
By Will Morrow, February 18, 2012
Alcoa Australia is preparing to shut its Point Henry plant or use the closure threat to impose another round of attacks on jobs and conditions.
New Zealand moves to broaden economic ties with China
By John Braddock, February 18, 2012
The efforts to establish closer relations with China will not have gone unnoticed in Washington and Canberra.
Australian mining magnate buys controlling interest in Fairfax Media
By Richard Phillips, February 17, 2012
Gina Rinehart’s media investments are aimed at promoting her own self-interest and securing greater political influence for the mining industry.
Job losses accelerate as interest rates rise in Australia
By Alex Messenger, February 17, 2012
A Reserve Bank decision not to cut interest rates has intensified the pressure on employers to shut down operations, lower their labour costs and squeeze more from smaller workforces.
Political stench of 2010 coup haunts Australian PM
By Peter Symonds, February 16, 2012
Along with domestic considerations—above all the demands of big business for tough austerity measures—US hostility to Rudd’s foreign policy was a decisive factor in his ouster.
Reckitt Benckiser to close Australia plant, destroying 190 jobs
By Ismet Redzovic, February 13, 2012
Reckitt Benckiser, a transnational household and healthcare manufacturer, has announced the closure of its Sydney plant, as part of a global restructuring.
Further revelations of Australian involvement in Iraq war crimes
By Will Morrow, February 13, 2012
The Guardian obtained secret US documents showing Australian forces played an “integral” role in operations at an illegal prison in Iraq in 2003.
Australia lines up with US for war with China
By Peter Symonds, February 11, 2012
The Australian defence posture report is the latest sign of the Obama administration’s aggressive push against China on all fronts.
Australian government instability points to worsening political crisis
By Mike Head, February 10, 2012
The volatile political situation has deep roots, inseparably bound up with the US-backed removal of Rudd as prime minister in 2010.
Australian coal loader workers continue industrial action
By Richard Phillips, February 9, 2012
Strikes are continuing at the Port Kembla Coal Terminal, while coal miners in central Queensland’s Bowen Basin voted last week to strike.
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