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Write on: Letters to the editor

Write on: Letters to the editor Johnny Coward John Howard is to be applauded for his stance on reconciliation. Not because an apology is not in order, nor because reconciliation with the traditional owners of this country is not an important

Let off for minister over Yanner affair

Let off for minister over Yanner affair BY BILL MASON BRISBANE — Queensland Premier Peter Beattie said on May 8 that he was taking no further action against mines and energy minister Tony McGrady for a letter the minister forwarded to the judge

Song for Reconciliation

Song for Reconciliation SYDNEY — "Songs get through to people's soul", Aboriginal singer Betty Little said, explaining why her music is a powerful tool for building bridges of understanding between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians.

Shiftworkers to gain on penalty rates

Shiftworkers to gain on penalty rates BY BILL MASON BRISBANE — Up to 200,000 Queensland shiftworkers stand to gain a wage rise following a historic union claim for afternoon and night penalties to override an "outdated" flat rate. At the end of

Peter Hicks: Songs of protest, humour, justice and love

Songs of protest, humour, justice and love The Times We've Been ThroughPeter Hicks$25 from Resistance Centres (addresses page 2)Order at <http://www.indie-cds.com> or phone (03) 6295 1032 Review by Alex Bainbridge Unfortunately, there

and ain't i a woman?: Biological parenthood

Biological parenthood A group of scientists from France, Italy and Spain have made a breakthrough in fertility treatment which will allow women using donated eggs to conceive a child which is genetically their own. The technique, described in

SOUTH AFRICA: Millions strike over job losses

SOUTH AFRICA: Millions strike over job losses Close to 4 million workers in South Africa joined a national strike against job losses on May 10, according to the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU). Around 400,000 strikers marched

Short Story: Budget initiative

Short story by Craig Cormick "Smell that fresh country air", says John Citizen, with the car window wound all the way down, and the wind blowing through the whole car. "This is the best idea you've ever had", says his wife, Gail, from the front

The budget and 'democracy'

The budget and 'democracy' Every year, at 7.30 pm on the second Tuesday of May, the federal treasurer gives a half-hour speech in which he (there has never been a woman treasurer) "hands down" the national budget. In the following hours and days,

Everything you need to know to dob in a dole bludger

Everything you need to know to dob in a dole bludger The prime minister has called on the Australian public to "dob in a dole bludger". That's appropriate — the PM and his colleagues have a wealth of experience in pointing a finger at the

SRI LANKA: Government in crisis as Tamils advance

SRI LANKA: Government in crisis as Tamils advance The People's Alliance government of President Chandrika Kumaratunga is facing a serious political crisis in the wake of military advances by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) on the Jaffna

What are shares really for?

What are shares really for? BY EVA CHENG Supporters of capitalism often claim that shares are issued to channel "savings" for productive activities, which would otherwise be underfunded and "malnourished" causing the economy and jobs to suffer.