Doctors to stop work
Doctors will hold stop-work meetings across NSW on the February 11 to discuss a motion for an ongoing campaign against the government's restriction of Medicare provider numbers. The main proposal to be considered will be an indefinite strike from March 11.
Patients who see doctors without Medicare provider numbers are unable to be bulk-billed or to get a Medicare rebate. This will mean that a proportion of newly trained doctors and future doctors will be without jobs. The ramifications are greatest in rural areas, where the number of doctors is already inadequate.
Opposition to Eastern Distributor
SYDNEY — A rally of 350 people in Surry Hills on February 2 signalled growing public opposition to the Eastern Distributor, a planned major highway through the city's inner east. The rally, organised by the Total Environment Centre, called for construction of the road not to proceed.
Concerns over pollution from the Eastern Distributor have been reinforced by an Environmental Planning Authority submission stating that the environmental assessment was so deficient that approval could not be immediately given to the project. Problems cited included "substantial shortcomings" in projections on noise levels during both construction and use of the road, a potential threat to local water quality and adverse affects on public transport use. The EPA also criticised predictions of travel time savings.
Pride march
MELBOURNE — Some 23,000 people marched in this year's Gay and Lesbian Pride march on February 2, twice as many as last year. Every group from Melbourne's gay and lesbian community was in attendance for what is becoming the most popular aspect of the "Midsumma Gay and Lesbian Festival".
The march included everyone from marching boys and Melbourne's hottest drag queens to Queer Action and the Monash Uni Not Quite Straight Society. Resistance also had a strong contingent, chanting slogans such as "We're here. We're queer. And we didn't vote for Howard" and "Pride yes. Racism no. Bigotry has got to go."
Protest against National Action
MELBOURNE — A new group, Campaign Against the Nazis (CAN), has called a protest rally on March 15 at 1pm in the C.B. Smith Reserve in Fawkner, to protest against the opening of a bookshop in Fawkner by the far right racist group National Action on January 17. For more information, telephone Jill or Nicki on 9479 2976.