Australia
Australian police officers assault Aboriginal boy in Sydney
By Oscar Grenfell, 3 June 2020
The widespread anger provoked by the attack has prompted nervousness from the political establishment, under conditions of mass protests internationally against police violence.
Australian schools affected by new coronavirus clusters
By Patrick Kelly, 3 June 2020
The cases have exposed state and federal government claims, both Labor and Liberal, that teachers, staff and children are safe to return to school.
Oppose the premature lifting of COVID-19 safety restrictions!
By the Socialist Equality Party (Australia), 3 June 2020
The Socialist Equality Party opposes the profit-driven “back-to-work” campaign as the global COVID-19 pandemic worsens and fresh outbreaks appear across the country.
Thousands rally in Perth, Australia against police violence
By Oscar Grenfell, 2 June 2020
The protest was a rebuke of Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s declaration that “There’s no need to import things happening in other countries here to Australia.”
Australia’s richest “Top 20” soar further in wealth during pandemic
By Mike Head, 2 June 2020
The results illustrate the immense concentration of wealth since governments bailed out the financial elite after the 2008–09 economic breakdown.
Australian bushfire inquiry examines the terrible impact of smoke inhalation
By John Mackay, 2 June 2020
The number of deaths caused by smoke was more than ten times the number killed directly by the bushfires.
Australian university union pushes through pay-cutting deal at Western Sydney
By our correspondent, 1 June 2020
The NTEU prevented genuine discussion, refused to circulate opposing resolutions and backed management threats.
Australia’s “national cabinet” declared permanent
By Oscar Grenfell, 30 May 2020
The purpose of the new body is to suppress widespread social and political opposition, and create the conditions for a further pro-business restructuring of the economy.
Indian autoworkers strike for COVID-19 safety measures; Thousands of Bangladeshi garment workers demonstrate
Workers Struggles: Asia and Australia
30 May 2020
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
Financial press hails Australian government’s union-employer offensive against workers
By Oscar Grenfell, 29 May 2020
The unions have committed to a sweeping pro-business overhaul of workplace conditions and industrial relations on the pretext of the pandemic.
Australian university union’s national deal collapses in face of widespread opposition
By Mike Head, 28 May 2020
Despite its debacle, the NTEU will intensify its collaboration with university managements to try and impose deep cuts to jobs, wages and conditions.
Oppose the rush to reopen Australian schools! Form safety action committees of teachers and staff!
By the Committee for Public Education (CFPE), 28 May 2020
At stake is not just the immediate public safety concerns in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, but the future of the education system.
Australian PM launches union-employer offensive against workers
By Oscar Grenfell, 27 May 2020
The unions have signalled their readiness to enforce a corporate drive to exploit the pandemic to mount a major assault on jobs, wages and conditions.
Socialist Equality Party (Australia) to hold online lectures on history of Trotskyism
27 May 2020
Amid the breakdown of capitalism triggered by the coronavirus pandemic, the lectures will outline the contemporary significance of the Trotskyist movement’s decades-long fight for a socialist and internationalist perspective.
US threatens to “disconnect” Australia if it strays from conflict with China
By Mike Head, 26 May 2020
Pompeo’s bullying intervention is part of an intensifying campaign by Washington to confront China economically and militarily.
Online meeting reveals union complicity in attacks on Australia Post workers
By Jim Franklin, 26 May 2020
Union officials prevented workers from speaking or moving motions, in a warning that they are preparing to enforce the management’s sweeping pro-business restructure.
Australian governments rush to end lockdowns in line with business demands
By Oscar Grenfell, 26 May 2020
Thousands of students and teachers are returning to schools, crowded public transport services are operating and millions of workers are being herded back onto the job.
Australian government’s JobKeeper fraud starts to unravel
By Mike Head, 25 May 2020
From the start, the government’s claims of “saving six million jobs” were always patent lies.
Australian governments fully reopen schools despite intense opposition
By Erika Zimmer, 23 May 2020
The danger of sending up to a million children back full-time in New South Wales during the COVID-19 pandemic is compounded by the public transport crisis.
Indian police detain thousands of sacked migrant workers; Pakistani health workers demand unpaid wages and allowances
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
23 May 2020
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
Australian unions back pay cuts for fast food workers
By Oscar Grenfell, 22 May 2020
The attack on some of the lowest-paid workers, on the pretext of the coronavirus pandemic, is a precedent for a broader pro-business restructuring.
Australian government falsely claims credit for global COVID-19 inquiry
By Mike Head, 21 May 2020
Australia’s push was obviously part of a US drive to demonise China and the World Health Organisation.
Australia: Twelve fast food outlets closed in Melbourne after coronavirus outbreak
By Martin Scott, 21 May 2020
Around 1,000 McDonald’s workers have been stood down, and hundreds are in self-isolation.
Australian universities exploit NTEU deal to slash facilities, jobs and conditions
By Mike Head, 20 May 2020
The employers are taking full advantage of the union’s role in suppressing the outrage of university workers for six weeks while it pursued backroom talks.
Australian secret interrogation powers to extend to “foreign interference”
By Mike Head, 19 May 2020
ASIO will have the power to forcibly question 14-year-olds and anyone deemed connected to a “foreign” organisation.
Australian Committee for Public Education holds online forum on COVID-19 and the universities crisis
By our correspondent, 19 May 2020
Academics, university professional staff, school teachers, TAFE employees and university students joined a critical discussion.
Australian government heightens trade conflict with China
By Mike Head, 18 May 2020
Successive Australian governments have been in the forefront of imposing tariffs and other restrictions on imports from China.
“The idea of school and teaching right now fills me with anxiety, dread and stress... it usually fuels me with joy, excitement and happiness”
Australian teachers speak out about unsafe schools and excessive workloads
By Sue Phillips, 18 May 2020
A survey of 10,000 teachers reveals that fewer than one in four felt safe working at schools at the end of term one and 60 percent had high levels of anxiety about returning to work.
Australian governments exploit mass unemployment to coerce workers into unsafe workplaces
By Mike Head, 16 May 2020
Nearly half a million workers dropped out of the workforce in April, yet unemployment and underemployment still reached a record total of 19.9 percent.
Committee For Public Education online public forum
The COVID-19 pandemic and the crisis in the universities
16 May 2020
The CFPE invites university workers, students and teachers to attend its online forum to discuss the pandemic and the deep crisis in the universities, both in Australia and internationally.
Thousands of migrant workers demonstrate across India; Tamil Nadu cleaners demand COVID-19 protection
Workers Struggles: Asia and Australia
16 May 2020
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
Australian Labor Party leader revives bogus “fair go” call
By Mike Head, 14 May 2020
Albanese’s post-COVID-19 “vision statement” came as workers are being ordered back into workplaces despite the Australian government saying further outbreaks are inevitable.
Australian pseudo-left groups try to rescue university union from outrage over sellout deal
By Carolyn Kennett and Mike Head, 14 May 2020
The NTEU’s deal with the employers exposes the desperate efforts of pseudo-left groups to prevent a revolt by university workers and students against the union.
Australian university union agrees to unprecedented pay and job cuts
By Mike Head, 13 May 2020
The agreement shatters the NTEU’s claim that it volunteered sacrifices of wages and conditions to “protect jobs” from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Australian Labor Party exploits pandemic to scapegoat foreign workers
By Max Newman, 12 May 2020
Labor’s call for immigration cuts lines up directly behind the drive by governments around the globe, personified by US President Trump, to promote toxic nationalism.
Australian intelligence sources alarmed by US “Wuhan lab” claim
By Mike Head, 11 May 2020
The primary fear in these ruling circles is that the assertions are so unreliable that they discredit the US confrontation with China, in which Australia is on the frontline.
Australian unions enforce continued mining production throughout pandemic
By Terry Cook, 11 May 2020
Local authorities in mining regions have warned that the continued operations of the sector threaten outbreaks of COVID-19.
Australian governments pushing workers back on the job amid pandemic
By Oscar Grenfell, 9 May 2020
Mass unemployment is being used as a battering ram to push financially devastated workers back into workplaces, regardless of their safety fears.
Australian mine explosion leaves five workers with horrific injuries
By Terry Cook, 9 May 2020
Four miners are fighting for life and another sustained serious injuries in a gas explosion at an Anglo American mine in central Queensland.
Australian governments pushing tracing app despite unanswered privacy-functionality questions
By Oscar Grenfell, 8 May 2020
The intrusive mobile phone application is being used to legitimise the dangerous back to work campaign of the ruling elite.
Australian rail union imposes sell out agreement after 51-49 percent split vote
By Patrick O’Connor, 8 May 2020
Many outraged rail workers have quit the RTBU in protest over the bureaucracy’s imposition of far reaching concessions on behalf of Metro Trains.
More than sixty COVID-19 cases linked to Australian abattoir outbreak
By Martin Scott, 7 May 2020
Workers were not tested until more than three weeks after the first confirmed case at the Melbourne facility.
Australia’s national cabinet pushes return to work despite ongoing COVID-19 dangers
By Oscar Grenfell, 6 May 2020
Prime Minister Scott Morrison bluntly admitted that the reversal of lockdown measures would lead to increased infections.
Australian governments reopen schools despite studies warning of COVID-19 danger
By Mike Head, 5 May 2020
The federal government’s attack on the Victorian state premier was aimed at suppressing opposition by teachers and parents.
Millions of Australian workers blocked from “JobKeeper” scheme
By Martin Scott, 5 May 2020
The wage subsidy is benefiting banks and big business, while resulting in cuts to workers’ pay and conditions.
The coronavirus pandemic and the fight for socialism in Australia
By Cheryl Crisp, 5 May 2020
The experience of the past months has presented the real face of capitalism—a system that constitutes the greatest threat to mankind.
West Australian principal stood down for warning of coronavirus dangers in schools
By Sue Phillips and Frank Gaglioti, 4 May 2020
The victimisation of Bronwyn White is a warning that the reopening of schools is being accompanied by the suppression of opposition.
Australia: Biloela residents continue fight to free Tamil refugee family
By Max Newman, 4 May 2020
Angela Fredericks, a campaign leader, spoke to the WSWS after a recent partial legal victory.
Australian government places country on frontline of anti-China witch hunt
By Mike Head, 2 May 2020
Australia unilaterally called for an international inquiry into the COVID-19 pandemic, boosting the Trump administration’s unsubstantiated accusations against China.
Australian government fast-tracks review of lockdown measures
By Oscar Grenfell, 2 May 2020
New clusters have emerged, including among meat workers in Melbourne, as governments seek to prematurely end social-distancing measures.
Australian governments rushing to reverse lockdown measures
By Oscar Grenfell, 1 May 2020
Official modelling openly acknowledges that the policies being pursued by governments will result in a “higher number of cases, hospitalisations and deaths.”
Ruby Princess cruise ship forced out of Australian waters with coronavirus stricken staff on board
By Martin Scott, 30 April 2020
Around 500 workers are on the ship as it heads for the Philippines.
Family members protest amid six more deaths at Australian aged care home
By Mike Head, 30 April 2020
The outbreak underscores the danger of a new wave of COVID-19 infections as governments and business chiefs step up their drive for a premature return to work.
Australian health workers infected with COVID-19 but governments cover up full picture
By Margaret Rees, 29 April 2020
Even according to the officially-reported cases, Melbourne’s health system is one of the worst-affected in Australia.
Australian schools reopening as spearhead of “back to work” campaign
By Sue Phillips and Oscar Grenfell, 29 April 2020
State and federal governments are invoking dubious research to insist it is safe for teachers and students to return to schools.
Despite anticipating more deaths, Australian governments demand return to work
By Mike Head, 28 April 2020
The New South Wales state premier said she expected an increase in virus cases as her government lifted restrictions.
Australian government introduces spying app as part of back-to-work push
By Oscar Grenfell, 27 April 2020
There is no evidence that the application will do anything to trace or halt the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
Australian university union continues sellout talks despite members’ anger
By our correspondents, 27 April 2020
SEP members develop discussion on a socialist perspective while the NTEU agrees to pay and conditions cuts and employers inflict massive job losses.
Australia’s national cabinet targets teachers to ramp up back-to-work drive
By Mike Head, 25 April 2020
Prime Minister Scott Morrison took direct aim at school teachers, falsely alleging they were not “going to work.”
Australia: Fifth resident dies at Sydney aged care home
By Martin Scott, 25 April 2020
Unable to visit, families fear their elderly relatives are suffering neglect.
Bangladeshi and Cambodian garment workers strike against COVID-19 job cuts; Pakistani medical workers demand safe working conditions
Workers Struggles: Asia and Australia
25 April 2020
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
Thousands of jobs on the line after Virgin Australia goes into administration
By Terry Cook, 24 April 2020
The announcement by Virgin Australia, the country’s second largest domestic carrier, threatens at least 15,000 jobs.
Hostility to workers’ questions at online Australian union event
By Mike Head, 23 April 2020
In the ACTU “webinar,” no workers could speak, let alone oppose the unions’ role in assisting employers slash pay and conditions in the COVID-19 pandemic.
Australia Post announces major restructure threatening thousands of jobs
By Oscar Grenfell, 23 April 2020
The government and management are utilising the coronavirus pandemic to implement longstanding plans for mass sackings and privatisation.
Australian court ruling means continued imprisonment for Tamil refugees from Biloela
By Max Newman, 23 April 2020
The people of Biloela are continuing a national campaign, entitled “Home to Bilo,” demanding the release of the family and return home to Biloela.
Australia’s national cabinet continues back-to-work push
By Oscar Grenfell, 22 April 2020
State governments are moving ahead with an easing of restrictions, including through the reopening of schools, creating the conditions for major coronavirus outbreaks.
Real jobless rate could reach 30 percent in Australia
By Mike Head, 22 April 2020
Low-paid workers are twice as likely to be thrown out of work as high-income people in the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Grattan Institute.
Australia: Workers call out unsafe conditions at Tasmanian hospitals
By Martin Scott, 21 April 2020
Two more patients have died as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak in the northwest of the state.
Australian government joins Washington’s anti-China campaign over pandemic
By Oscar Grenfell, 21 April 2020
The Australian government, backed by the Labor opposition, is positioning itself as the Trump administration’s attack dog, repeating its unsubstantiated claims against China and the World Health Organisation.
Australian journalist still faces prosecution despite illegal police raid
By Mike Head, 21 April 2020
The High Court ruled the raid’s search warrant “invalid” but allowed the federal police to keep the seized material for use to lay criminal charges.
Australian governments refuse to assist international students amid pandemic
By John Harris, 20 April 2020
Thousands of international students are on the precipice of homelessness and abject poverty after state and federal governments refused to provide them with any assistance.
International students in Australia speak out: “Governments have done nothing to help us”
By our reporters, 20 April 2020
“Governments are providing billions and even trillions of dollars to the banks and corporations. Why nothing for us?”
Outrage among Australian university workers over secret NTEU pay cut talks
By Chris Gordon and Mike Head, 20 April 2020
Fearing a revolt by its members, the union national executive said the concessions it is offering employers must be kept for “confidential, limited sharing.”
SEP (US) Presidential candidate Joseph Kishore to participate in IYSSE (Australia) online meeting tonight
20 April 2020
Nick Beams and Socialist Equality Party (Australia) assistant national-secretary Cheryl Crisp will conduct a conversation with Kishore, the SEP candidate for president of the United States.
Australian ruling elite seizes on pandemic to demand harsh economic restructuring
By Mike Head, 18 April 2020
Governments and big business are using the COVID-19 crisis to accelerate the decades-long assault on social spending and workers’ jobs, wages and conditions.
Authorities seeking to force coronavirus-stricken ship out of Australian waters
By Martin Scott, 18 April 2020
More than 160 Ruby Princess crew members have tested positive for COVID-19, but most of the 1,056 workers are being refused the right to leave the ship.
Intensive CIA spying on Assange targeted his infant child
By Oscar Grenfell, 18 April 2020
As the US government finalised its bogus charges against Assange, it oversaw dirty tricks operations targeting his partner and their infant child.
Bangladesh garment workers strike against COVID-19 job and wage cuts; Australian maritime union ends strike over COVID-19 at Hutchison Ports
Workers Struggles: Asia and Australia
18 April 2020
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
Australian teachers speak out against unsafe conditions
By our reporters, 17 April 2020
One teacher said: “We are seeing that the allocation of resources is not to support social safety but to enrich a few super-wealthy oligarchs.”
Unemployment already at Great Depression levels in Australia
By Mike Head, 16 April 2020
A record 3.92 million workers, or 27.4 percent, were either unemployed or under-employed by the end of March.
COVID-19 and the role of Labor and the unions in Australia
By Mike Head, 16 April 2020
In fighting against mass unemployment, financial ruin and the danger to their very health and lives in many workplaces, the chief political obstacle confronting the working class is the Labor and union apparatus.
Australian police use COVID-19 emergency powers to ban refugee detention protest
By Max Newman, 16 April 2020
The police action, which state Premier Daniel Andrews’ Labor government must have authorised, constitutes a direct attack on the right to protest.
Australia: Two hospitals close in Tasmania after COVID-19 outbreak
By Martin Scott, 15 April 2020
Six patients have died and more than 40 health workers have tested positive.
Massive increase in toxic emissions at Australian coal power plant
By Martin Scott, 15 April 2020
The Vales Point power station was sold by the government to a multi-millionaire for just $1 million.
Australian government demands staged reopening of the school system
By Erika Zimmer, 14 April 2020
The Australian government is pressing for schools across the country to reopen, as part of a wider move to lift social distancing and other restrictions put in place for the coronavirus pandemic.
Australian construction workers denounce union enforcement of unsafe conditions
By Oscar Grenfell, 14 April 2020
The union has responded to the outpouring of anger by mass deleting Facebook comments and declaring that work must continue, despite the dangers posed by the pandemic.
Australian university union in backroom talks to slash jobs and conditions amid COVID-19 pandemic
By Mike Head, 14 April 2020
NTEU members received an email from the union saying it is in discussions with the employers about measures “we would never normally consider.”
Australian hospitals lack ventilators and staff to deal with pandemic
By Clare Bruderlin, 11 April 2020
A ventilator manufacturing deal this week highlighted the shortage of urgently-needed intensive care medical equipment.
India: Punjab health workers and poor farmers protest over inadequate COVID-19 supplies; Queensland public health workers demand promised wage rise
Workers Struggles: Asia and Australia
11 April 2020
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
Australian government bails out private childcare industry
By Erika Zimmer and Amanda Johnstone, 10 April 2020
As with every other measure taken by the government, the sole concern is to get workers back on the job, regardless of the COVID-19 danger.
Australian governments prepare to push workers back into unsafe workplaces
By Mike Head, 10 April 2020
Discussions about “herd immunity” are taking place in ruling circles.
Labor and the unions help push corporate bailout through Australian parliament
By Mike Head, 9 April 2020
The main thrust of the bills is to allow employers to cut wages, working hours and other working conditions.
Decline in COVID-19 testing casts doubt on claims Australia is “flattening the curve”
By Martin Scott, 9 April 2020
The narrow focus of testing conceals the true scope of the pandemic.
At IYSSE (Australia) online lecture, Nick Beams exposes Socialist Alternative and the pseudo-left
By Oscar Grenfell, 9 April 2020
The event was attended by an appreciative audience of more than 190 workers, students and young people.
Vindictive court rulings prove British state wants Assange dead
By Thomas Scripps, 8 April 2020
Judge Vanessa Baraitser has decreed that Assange will remain behind bars and that his extradition show-trial will proceed in May, even as the coronavirus pandemic spreads rapidly in British prisons.
Australian unions tell employers: “You can get everything you want”
By Mike Head, 7 April 2020
Sally McManus’s interview indicates how much the ruling elite is depending on the trade unions to quash unrest in the working class.
Australian government “pauses” hounding welfare recipients in face of massive jobless queues
By Margaret Rees, 6 April 2020
Fear of social unrest forced a temporary suspension of “accounts payable” letters alleging over-payment of benefits.
Australian Committee for Public Education holds successful online meeting on pandemic crisis
By our reporters, 6 April 2020
The Socialist Equality Party’s (US) candidate for vice president, Norissa Santa Cruz, brought greetings to the meeting which was attended by more than 70 people.
IYSSE (Australia) online lecture Tuesday night: Socialist Alternative and the politics of the pseudo-left
6 April 2020
Beams will explain that the struggle to build a socialist movement of the working class requires a fight against all those tendencies that seek to channel opposition behind the political establishment.
Australian airline exploits pandemic in an attempt to sink rivals
By Terry Cook, 4 April 2020
Qantas CEO: “This will be a survival of the fittest and Qantas is one of the fittest and most dynamic airlines in the world.”
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