Australia and New Zealand
More workers and youth speak on the life and political legacy of Australian Trotskyist Barry Jobson
By our reporters, 22 January 2021
Jobson, a railway worker, joined the Trotskyist movement in 1974 and dedicated his adult life to the struggle for socialist internationalism in the working class.
Australian Labor leader hails US alliance as Biden is inaugurated
By Oscar Grenfell, 22 January 2021
Albanese’s line was that a Labor government would be best placed to deepen the US-Australia alliance under the new Democratic Party administration, as it prepares for war with China.
New Zealand PM silent on Trump’s culpability for Washington coup
By John Braddock, 16 January 2021
Labour Party Prime Minister Ardern has deliberately evaded criticising President Trump’s role in the attempted fascist coup in the US.
Hyundai steel workers in South Korea strike; Tamil Nadu primary school teachers protest; Australia: Svitzer tugboat workers walk out
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
16 January 2021
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Australian government invokes “national security” to ban Chinese infrastructure investments
By Mike Head, 16 January 2021
In effect, Chinese investment is now being banned across most of the economy, in preparation for military conflict.
Detainees on Australia’s Christmas Island continue protests against appalling conditions
By Max Boddy, 15 January 2021
The Australian Border Force has responded to the protests with violence and punitive segregation measures.
Australia: Regional high school teachers walk out over understaffing and unbearable workloads
By Kaye Tucker, 14 January 2021
The stoppage is the latest indication of growing opposition to the program of school amalgamations being enforced by the New South Wales Liberal government, with the assistance of Labor and the unions.
Australia: Victimised Chinese meatworker speaks with the WSWS
By Patrick O’Connor, 14 January 2021
Benson Wang is a Chinese immigrant meatworker who was allegedly assaulted and subsequently victimised at an abattoir operated by Midfield Group in Warrnambool, Victoria.
Pakistan: Doctors and health workers continue strike in Islamabad; Sri Lanka: Trainee teachers and health workers protest; Australia: NSW paramedics threaten industrial action
Workers Struggles: Asia and Australia
9 January 2021
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Australia: Locked-out Coles workers in Sydney confront a choice
By Jack Turner and Oscar Grenfell, 8 January 2021
Unless workers begin to take matters into their own hands, form a rank-and-file committee independent of the union and launch a political and industrial fight for jobs and conditions, they will be forced to accept whatever terms the company imposes.
United Workers Union organises return to work at Hanes warehouse in Australia
By Will Marshall, 24 December 2020
The union’s latest “victory” maintains the current low level of permanent jobs at the Melbourne site, where more than half the workforce has been casualised.
Jacobin publishes whitewash of union sell-out bid at Australian warehouse
By Jack Turner and Peter Symonds, 24 December 2020
Kelly’s article makes no mention of the role of the UWU, or indeed of any trade union, let alone their decades of betrayals.
China: Apple factory workers protest over jobs; Sri Lankan garment workers strike over cuts to annual bonus; New Zealand home care workers strike
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
24 December 2020
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Australian COVID-19 outbreak underscores danger of corporate drive to lift safety restrictions
By Mike Head, 24 December 2020
Limited safety restrictions have been relaxed in Sydney, despite warnings from infectious diseases experts.
Australian government hires private debt collectors to hound welfare recipients
By Martin Scott, 23 December 2020
New tender documents reveal a stepped-up assault on the country’s most vulnerable as hundreds of thousands still await restitution for the unlawful “robodebt” scheme.
Australia: Victoria’s “Big Housing Build” a windfall for developers
By Paul Bartizan, 23 December 2020
The project continues the decades-long rundown of public housing and further privatises what is left.
Top union bureaucrat in Australia lashes out at WSWS article
By Max Boddy, 22 December 2020
When challenged over her claims that the article was full of untruths, ACTU secretary Sally McManus provided no evidence and told the WSWS to “Google” it.
Australian COVID-19 outbreak spreads beyond Sydney, but governments reject calls for lockdowns and masks
By Mike Head, 22 December 2020
Already, the latest coronavirus “cluster” has escaped from Sydney’s northern beaches region across the city and interstate.
Bangladeshi health workers strike over wages; Sri Lankan teachers to demand COVID-19 protection; Offshore LNG maintenance workers strike in Western Australia
Workers Struggles: Asia and Australia
19 December 2020
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Sydney COVID-19 outbreak follows pro-business lifting of Australian safety restrictions
By Oscar Grenfell, 19 December 2020
The emergence of the cluster follows a frenzied “reopening” campaign, aimed at maximising corporate profit-making, especially over the holiday season.
Australian “National Day of Action” a farce as union prepares to sell out Coles workers
By Martin Scott, 19 December 2020
The United Workers Union has declared the supermarket chain’s offer of a 3.5 percent pay rise “more than enough” for the locked-out workers.
Canada’s military seeks to cover its tracks following damning report on Australian war crimes in Afghanistan
By Penny Smith, 12 December 2020
In response to the release of a report exposing Australian military atrocities in Afghanistan, the Canadian Armed Forces has doubled down on its long-running efforts to cover up its own war crimes in the region.
Bangladeshi police assault protesting workers; Sri Lankan ambulance paramedics oppose sackings; South Australian brewery workers’ strike
Workers Struggles: Asia and Australia
12 December 2020
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Committee for Public Education (Australia) online meeting discusses global struggles of teachers and educators
By Carolyn Kennett, 11 December 2020
Panellists explained the fight for rank-and-file committees to provide the deep-seated opposition to the reopening of schools a political direction and leadership.
New Zealand housing crisis worsens under Labour
By John Braddock, 8 December 2020
The housing crisis, exacerbating the massive transfer of wealth from the working class to the rich, further exposes the pro-business agenda of the Ardern-led government,
Sri Lankan nurses and educators protest; Auto-parts workers strike for union rights in Tamil Nadu: Garbage truck drivers resume walkout in Queensland
Workers Struggles: Asia and Australia
5 December 2020
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New Zealand government denounces China’s condemnation of Australian war crimes
By Tom Peters, 5 December 2020
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern did not condemn the murder of at least 39 unarmed people in Afghanistan by Australian special forces, but denounced a Chinese official’s tweet that drew attention to these war crimes.
Australian soldiers drank alcohol from prosthetic leg of dead Afghan
By Oscar Grenfell, 4 December 2020
Politicians and corporate journalists have maintained a stony silence on the gruesome revelation, while waging a furious campaign against a Chinese tweet condemning the war crimes.
Migrants protest in India demanding right to return to New Zealand
By Tom Peters, 30 November 2020
An estimated 2,000 work NZ visa holders have been stuck in India for nine months, many of whom have lost their jobs and are in severe hardship.
Bangladeshi garment workers demand unpaid wages; Sri Lankan hospital workers protest for better conditions; LNG platform workers in Western Australia continue strike
Workers Struggles: Asia and Australia
28 November 2020
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Australian PM seeks to protect revenue from China while reasserting US alliance
By Mike Head, 27 November 2020
Morrison pleaded that Australia should not have to choose between its “enduring alliance” with the US and a “beneficial relationship” with China.
Union official denounces WSWS, seeks to intimidate workers at Australia Post meeting
By Oscar Grenfell, 27 November 2020
At a meeting last week, a CEPU official responded to a workers’ call for collective action with a hysterical outburst against the World Socialist Web Site and the Socialist Equality Party.
India: Karnataka college staff strike over unpaid salaries; Tamil Nadu tea plantation workers protest; Australian supermarket warehouse workers locked out
Workers Struggles: Asia and Australia
21 November 2020
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No justice for families 10 years after New Zealand’s Pike River mine disaster
By Tom Peters, 20 November 2020
Despite the Labour government’s promises to investigate the explosion which killed 29 men, no one from Pike River Coal has been held accountable for blatantly unsafe practices that put profit ahead of lives.
Strikes and protests develop across India, Pakistan and Indonesia, agreement disputes erupt in Australia and strikes break out in New Zealand
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and New Zealand
14 November 2020
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Australian Royal Commission covers up causes of aged care crisis
By Clare Bruderlin, 13 November 2020
The commission, while pointing to the dire conditions confronting aged care residents, recommended largely cosmetic “solutions,” which will not resolve the crisis and are not enforceable.
Socialist Equality Group webinar discusses New Zealand and US elections
By our reporter, 13 November 2020
Speakers debunked the claims of pseudo-left groups that the re-election of Jacinda Ardern’s Labour Party is a win for workers, and outlined the stronger military alliance between New Zealand and the US in the context of a crisis of democracy in Washington and preparations for war against China.
Australia’s first “foreign interference” arrest targets Liberal Party figure accused of links to China
By Mike Head, 7 November 2020
Duong’s prosecution is regarded by the corporate media in both Australia and the US as a test case for the “anti-influence” legislation.
Australian report reveals widespread food insecurity
By John Harris, 6 November 2020
Currently, 43 percent of all food insecure people are going a whole day without eating at least once a week, compared to 30 percent in 2019.
New report outlines accelerating inequality in Australia, amid rising social distress
By Linda Tenenbaum, 30 October 2020
The University of NSW and the Australian Council of Social Services have co-authored a significant report on income wealth and inequality, both before and during the pandemic.
International media hails New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s re-election
By Tom Peters, 21 October 2020
Far from being a progressive alternative to Trump and other right-wing populists, Ardern is being embraced in the world’s corporate media precisely because of her Labour Party government’s pro-war and pro-business policies, packaged with her “kind” and “inclusive” persona.
Ahead of New Zealand election, PM Jacinda Ardern lies about reducing poverty
By Tom Peters, 16 October 2020
Whatever the make-up of the government after tomorrow’s election, it will continue the assault on the working class and further integrate New Zealand into US war plans.
New Zealand 2020 election
The fight for social equality, against the pandemic and against war, is the fight for world socialism
By The Socialist Equality Group (New Zealand), 15 October 2020
Socialist-minded workers and young people should reject the fantasy promoted by the Labour Party-led government and its apologists that New Zealand can separate itself from the global capitalist crisis.
New Zealand Green Party postures over tax, poverty
By John Braddock, 14 October 2020
The record proves that an incoming Labour-Greens coalition would be completely subservient to the demands of big business.
Socialist Equality Group holds webinar on the New Zealand election
By Our reporter, 6 October 2020
Members of the SEG (New Zealand) and the Socialist Equality Party (Australia) spoke on the global pandemic, the danger of war and dictatorship, and the right-wing record of Jacinda Ardern’s government.
UNICEF condemns New Zealand’s child poverty as inequality grows
By Harry Hall, 23 September 2020
Jacinda Ardern’s Labour Party-led government has refused to address child poverty as the country heads into an unprecedented social and economic crisis.
New Zealand: Auckland University backs away from resuming classes after mass student opposition
By John Braddock, 18 September 2020
More than 10,000 Auckland University students have signed petitions opposing the resumption of lectures and classes amid ongoing community transmission of COVID-19.
New Zealand government ends Auckland lockdown
By Tom Peters, 1 September 2020
The decision to reopen schools and workplaces, despite new cases of COVID-19 being reported every day, was opposed by some of the government’s own health advisors.
Islamic Women’s Council calls for transparency from inquiry into New Zealand terrorist attack
By Tom Peters, 5 August 2020
The WSWS spoke with Anjum Rahman from the Islamic Women’s Council, which is concerned about secrecy surrounding the royal commission into last year’s fascist attack.
Campaign continues against New Zealand visa processing delays
By Tom Peters, 20 July 2020
One migrant from South Africa told the WSWS that being sent back would put her in extreme poverty and at risk of dying from COVID-19.
New Zealand aluminium smelter to close, axing 1,000 jobs
By John Braddock, 15 July 2020
The smelter’s closure is part of the escalating attack on jobs and livelihoods among major sections of the workforce in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Migrants challenge visa processing delays by New Zealand authorities
By Tom Peters, 1 July 2020
The Labour Party-led government is delaying the processing of migrant visa applications, leaving tens of thousands of people in limbo.
Quarantine bungles in New Zealand threaten new COVID-19 outbreak
By Tom Peters, 23 June 2020
The Ardern government has placed the military in charge of quarantine hotels after health authorities allowed travellers to leave without being cleared of COVID-19.
New Zealand government lifts all COVID-19 restrictions
By Tom Peters, 16 June 2020
New Zealand’s health system is in severe crisis following decades of austerity and is unprepared for future COVID-19 outbreaks.
Protests against police violence and racism continue in New Zealand
By Tom Peters, 15 June 2020
Tens of thousands of people joined another day of protests as part of the global movement sparked by the murder of George Floyd by US police.
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.”
Protests across New Zealand over US police murder of George Floyd
By Tom Peters, 2 June 2020
Thousands rallied in solidarity with those protesting police killings in the United States, and many expressed opposition to the further militarisation of the New Zealand Police.
New Zealand Labour government promises billions for big business
By John Braddock, 19 May 2020
While handing over billions to big business through the COVID-19 crisis, Labour’s budget boosts the military and prepares a sweeping assault on the social position of the working class.
New Zealand sees increase in racist anti-Chinese attacks
By Tom Peters, 11 May 2020
Racists are being emboldened as the Labour Party-NZ First-Greens coalition government strengthens its alignment with US imperialism against China.
New Zealand government moves to end lockdown
By Tom Peters, 21 April 2020
There is opposition among teachers, in particular, to the decision to lift restrictions on businesses and reopen schools while there is still community transmission of coronavirus.
New Zealand government says unemployment will hit “double digits”
By Chris Ross and Tom Peters, 9 April 2020
The coronavirus-induced crisis is having a devastating effect on jobs, with unemployment expected to reach levels unseen since the Great Depression.
New Zealand: Christchurch terrorist pleads guilty
By Tom Peters, 31 March 2020
Many questions remain about the attack by fascist gunman Brenton Tarrant last year, which killed 51 people and injured 49 at two Christchurch mosques.
Australian governments reject calls for lockdown despite rising COVID-19 danger
By Mike Head, 28 March 2020
The “national cabinet” is determined to keep as many workers as possible on the job in order to shore up corporate profits.
New Zealand health workers speak out on lack of preparation for COVID-19 pandemic
By Tom Peters, 24 March 2020
One nurse told the WSWS: “All the health workers are just going to get infected themselves, and then there’s going to be nobody to look after anybody.”
New Zealand government warns tens of thousands could die, imposes lockdown
By Tom Peters, 24 March 2020
Medical professionals have warned that the country is unprepared for a significant outbreak of coronavirus and New Zealand “will look like Italy or the US” without extreme measures.
New Zealand cabinet minister Shane Jones continues to stoke racism
By John Braddock, 17 March 2020
Jones’ anti-immigrant salvos are a sign of the extreme right-wing, nationalist agenda on which the September election will be contested by all the major parties.
Tamil Nadu sanitary workers demand permanent jobs; Sri Lankan plantation workers strike; New Zealand bus drivers resume industrial action
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
14 March 2020
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
Rottenomics: The Story of New Zealand’s Leaky Buildings Disaster
How profit-gouging and government deregulation created New Zealand’s home-building catastrophe
By John Braddock, 12 March 2020
Peter Dyer’s book explains how Labour and National Party governments created New Zealand’s “leaky homes” scandal.
Coronavirus accelerates job cutting in New Zealand
By Chris Ross and Tom Peters, 2 March 2020
As the world economy slows and the COVID-19 virus disrupts travel and supply chains, New Zealand workers are being laid off in a range of industries.
Australia: Students and workers demand release of Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning
By our reporters, 20 February 2020
“Trillions are spent on war, which creates refugees, kills children and workers, but the people who make these wars happen are roaming free whilst Assange is being murdered by the state.”
GM announces exit from Australia, New Zealand and Thailand
By Marcus Day, 18 February 2020
GM continues to shrink its footprint and attack autoworkers’ jobs globally, as it faces declining sales and ferocious competition to dominate emerging technologies.
New Zealand’s Waitangi Day promotes nationalism and militarism
By Tom Peters, 13 February 2020
New Zealand’s national day was marked with the opening of a museum to glorify Maori participation and “sacrifice” for imperialism in World War II.
Rank-and-file teachers in Sydney adopt resolution defending Assange and Manning
the Socialist Equality Party (Australia), 12 February 2020
The resolution is the outcome of the initiative of the Committee For Public Education, acting independently of the trade union apparatus.
Thousands of students affected by New Zealand’s anti-Chinese travel ban
By Tom Peters, 11 February 2020
A student who spoke to the WSWS described the travel ban, ostensibly aimed at stopping the spread of coronavirus, as a “dream come true” for the NZ First Party and other right-wing nationalists.
New Zealand’s coronavirus travel ban stokes tensions with China
By Tom Peters, 6 February 2020
The Labour Party-led government’s decision to suspend inbound travel from China is a nationalist move that is stoking tensions with China.
New Zealand soldier linked to fascist groups arrested
By Tom Peters, 8 January 2020
The arrested soldier was initially questioned following the Christchurch terrorist attack in March 2019, in which a fascist gunman killed 51 people.
Australia: Surveys reveal majority of former car workers unable to find decent jobs
By Terry Cook, 7 January 2020
Former centres of car production, such as Elizabeth in Adelaide and Broadmeadows in Melbourne, have been left mired in social crisis.
After another weekend of devastation, Australia faces weeks more of unprecedented fires
By James Cogan, 6 January 2020
A discernable shift is underway in how masses of people view the political parties and institutions that have downplayed or denied the reality of climate change.
New Zealand union shuts down bus drivers’ strike, scapegoats migrants for low wages
By Tom Peters, 6 January 2020
FIRST Union called off a partial stoppage by around 800 low-paid Auckland bus drivers without any resolution, then denounced NZ Bus for employing migrants.
Australian police begin “foreign interference” raids
By Mike Head, 24 December 2019
The Weekend Australian’s “exclusive” story signals an offensive by the police and intelligence agencies to carry out the first prosecutions under draconian “foreign interference” laws.
Journalist Peter Hartcher and the anti-China campaign in Australia
By James Cogan, 24 December 2019
Hartcher’s essay in the Quarterly Essay is textbook propaganda for war. It seeks to cultivate nationalist fear and even paranoia about the intended enemy—China.
New Zealand Police fatally shoot man in rural town
By Chris Ross, 24 December 2019
Increased police shootings in New Zealand are occurring under conditions of increased militarisation of the police by the Labour-NZ First-Greens government.
Multiple deaths from New Zealand volcanic eruption
By Tom Peters, 10 December 2019
Tourism companies have carried out highly profitable operations on White Island, despite the known risk of a volcanic eruption.
New Zealand military’s unexploded bombs killed Afghan civilians
By Tom Peters, 22 November 2019
Seven children were among 17 civilians killed or injured from unexploded bombs at New Zealand’s firing ranges in Bamyan, Afghanistan.
New Zealand police introduce new armed units
By Tom Peters, 16 November 2019
The Labour Party-led government is exploiting the Christchurch terrorist attack to further arm the police and increase their anti-democratic powers.
Australian Labor Party review covers up causes of federal election debacle
By Oscar Grenfell, 11 November 2019
The real reason for Labor’s defeat is that it is incapable of making a credible appeal to workers and young people, after decades of having imposed the dictates of big business.
New Zealand military to expand Pacific presence
By John Braddock, 8 November 2019
The new Defence Paper extends the military’s engagement in the region in line with Washington’s war drive against China.
New Zealand defence chief admits Afghan civilian death
By John Braddock, 28 October 2019
The admission to the Operation Burnham inquiry was the first by the Defence Force, which has repeatedly covered up the truth about the 2010 SAS raid.
New Zealand: Fire engulfs $800 million Auckland construction site
By Tom Peters, 24 October 2019
A fire that has devastated Auckland’s $700 million SkyCity Convention Centre construction site will have a significant economic impact.
New Zealand government introduces class-based immigration restrictions
By Tom Peters, 22 October 2019
The Labour Party-led government has imposed draconian restrictions to prevent working class immigrants from bringing their parents to join them in New Zealand.
Sexual assault scandal shakes New Zealand government
By Tom Peters, 18 October 2019
The Labour Party, led by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, last month came under attack in the media over unproven and anonymous allegations of sexual assault by a senior staff member.
New Zealand housing crisis worsens under Labour government
By John Braddock, 16 October 2019
Landlords and property speculators have exploited the housing crisis and the Labour government’s pro-business policies.
Thousands of Assam tea workers strike over bonus payments; 17,000 non-academic university workers remain on strike in Sri Lanka
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and New Zealand
5 October 2019
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
New Zealand PM promotes internet censorship at UN
By Tom Peters, 30 September 2019
Jacinda Ardern met with world leaders and tech companies to promote a new “crisis response protocol” to rapidly remove online content deemed “extremist.”
Echoing Trump administration, Australian leader advocates end to China’s “developing country” status
By James Cogan, 24 September 2019
Morrison signalled that Australia will join with the US in its escalating campaign to economically cripple China.
Australian government “balances” budget at expense of disabled
By Mike Head, 23 September 2019
The Morrison government “saved” $4.6 billion by underfunding the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and cutting a total of $6.4 billion from social programs.
Australian government pushes drug testing for welfare recipients
By Oscar Grenfell, 16 September 2019
The trial, which is aimed at extending “welfare quarantining” measures, would target working class areas hit by job destruction and government budget cuts.
New Zealand police destroyed Pike River mine disaster evidence
By Tom Peters, 13 September 2019
The latest revelations are further evidence of a cover-up designed to protect Pike River Coal’s management from prosecution for the 2010 disaster that killed 29 people.
“Horrendous” increase in New Zealand suicide rates
By John Braddock, 9 September 2019
As social conditions deteriorate, suicide deaths reached 685 last year, the highest number since records began.
Official report exposes dire conditions in New Zealand prisons
By John Braddock, 6 September 2019
The prison population has risen for 30 years, ever since the “pro-market” program launched by David Lange’s 1984–1990 Labour government.
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