A-Infos (en) Anarchist Age Weekly Review No. 486 17th ­ 23rd February, 2002

[Phil McCrory <philmcc@melbpc.org.au>]

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      A - I N F O S  N E W S  S E R V I C E
            http://www.ainfos.ca/
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NO GLOBALISATION WITHOUT DIRECT DEMOCRACY ­ ANARCHIST MEDIA INSTITUTE
"WE SWEAR BY THE SOUTHERN CROSS TO STAND TRULY BY EACH OTHER AND FIGHT TO
DEFEND OUR RIGHTS AND LIBERTIES" ­ EUREKA REBELLION OATH 1854
 
 SLIP, SLIDING AWAY
The precarious balance in Australia between State power and individual
rights, is about to be dramatically shifted in favour of the State.
Although the Australian Constitution has precious few rights incorporated in
it, common law has traditionally given Australians the right to organise and
protest against government policy without the fear of arrest and arbitrary
imprisonment.  Over the last few decades, these rights have been whittled
away by a series of local, State and Federal laws.
These assaults on individual rights pale into insignificance when compared
to what is about to happen in this country if the proposed "anti-terrorist"
laws are passed through the Australian parliament over the next few months.
Historically although individuals and organisations have been responsible
for terrorist acts, terrorism has been and continues to be the stock in
trade of the State.  The atrocities committed by Hitler, Stalin and Pol Pot
could not have occurred if they did not have unfettered control of the State
apparatus.  The legal, political, social and cultural checks and balances
that have evolved in Australia to protect the individual from the arbitrary
use of State power will be swept away by the new "anti-terrorist"
legislation.
If these laws are passed by the Federal parliament, Australiaıs intelligence
agencies will become policing agencies.  They will have all the powers that
political police enjoy in dictatorships.  They will be able to secretly
detain, interrogate and imprison anybody in this country on a personal whim.
Those who are unable or unwilling to answer questions, face five years
imprisonment.  Considering the current revelations about the governmentıs
illegal use of intelligence agencies to further their own political
ambitions and the governmentıs willingness to manipulate the truth to
achieve short term political gains, all Australians should be concerned
about this proposed legislation.
Itıs ironical that the Liberal Party, a party that was formed to protect
individual rights and the Labor Party, a party that has used the political
space that common law rights have given Australians to improve the rights
and conditions of workers, will both be voting to pass this draconian
legislation.  Fortunately there is still time to stop this legislation from
going through the Senate.  If enough Australians from all walks of life and
from every political tendency are willing to voice their concerns and
protest against this proposed legislation, itıs still possible to shame the
Labor Party into joining the Democrats, Greens and One Nation in the Senate
to block this serious assault on individual rights in this country.

SIDE TRACKED!!
Activists run the very real risk of being sidetracked over the next few
months.  The current media furor over the Governor Generalıs role in sexual
abuse cases in the Anglican Church and the governmentıs discomfort over the
children overboard scandal, could if weıre not careful, take the spotlight
off the most important legislation that is about to be debated and passed by
the Australian Federal Parliament.  The proposed "anti-terrorist"
legislation has ramifications that far outweigh any of the possible outcomes
that will occur as a consequence of the hue and cry surrounding the Prime
Minister and Governor General.
Even if the Prime Minister and the Governor General were forced to resign,
their places would be taken up by people who would fulfill the same
functions.  If weıre not careful, itıs possible we will be out-maneuvered if
we take too much notice about the fuss surrounding the Governor General and
the government.  Although itıs tempting, very tempting to take a boots and
all approach to the current debate, we would be falling into a trap of our
own making if we do.  The major issue on the table today is "The
anti-terrorist" legislation.
By all means put in your two bob, but make sure you link the proposed
"anti-terrorist" legislation to the current crisis.  At the end of the day,
itıs a matter of credibility, how could Australians allow a government whose
credibility is beyond repair, pass legislation that removes what few
individual rights we now enjoy.  If the government from the Prime Minister
down, is willing to manipulate the truth for short term political gain, itıs
frightening to think what they would do if they had unfettered power.  Itıs
important we use the current furor to organise resistance against the
proposed "anti-terrorist" legislation, to let this important issue remain a
sleeper, is a very, very dangerous strategy to follow.

DOES CORE AND NON CORE MAN LIE!
Iıve got an apology to make to Pauline Hanson, the former leader of One
Nation.  When John Howard won the Federal election by dressing himself up in
Pauline Hansonıs electoral glad rags, I stated that from hence forth, I
would call the Prime Minister of Australia, Pauline Howard to remind people
that the policies that Howard used to win his third term in Parliament, were
One Nationıs Policies.  Well Œm sorry to say, thinking about the situation
even Pauline Hanson does not deserve the odium surrounding the Prime
Minister.
John Howard the Prime Minister, who divided his election promises into core
and non core promises after his second electoral victory, is much more
cunning, mean and tricky than Pauline Hanson ever was.  As least with the
One Nation Party, you knew where you stood.  To combine John Howardıs name
with Pauline Hansonıs name, is an insult to Pauline Hanson.  Hanson never
stooped to the depths John Howard has stooped to, to win and maintain
office.  So Pauline sorry for linking your name with the Prime Ministerıs
name, I should have realised that your ethical standards are way above the
ethical standards of the Liberal-National Party.
What I find surprising about the debate surrounding core and non core man
and his mates, Peter telephone card Reith and Philip Amnesty International
Ruddock, about whether they lied to the Australian people during the
election campaign, is that there is a debate about the question.  I find it
amazing that so much media time and space has been devoted to the question
whether the upper echelons of a politicised public service, the government
and the Prime Minister manipulated the truth to suit their own short term
political ambitions.  Everybody in Australia knows that politicians of all
political persuasions lie and that they lie regularly.  What they are not
used to is seeing them caught in the act.  Whatıs interesting about this
whole sorry saga is that not one government Minister, let alone John, Iım
not a liar Howard, have bothered to apologise to the asylum seekers who were
so viscously slandered.  Ah sorry, Iıve forgotten the Prime Minister doesnıt
say sorry when he makes a mistake, unless itıs related to the life and times
of Don Bradman.

ONE MILLION AUSTRALIANS CANıT BE WRONG
As a Victorian Senate Candidate who encouraged people to vote informal or
not vote at all, at the last Federal election, I believe Iım eminently
qualified to comment about the one million Australians on the electoral
roll, who voted informal, or didnıt vote at all (The Australian 18/2), as
well as the 1.5 million Australians who are eligible to vote, but are not on
the electoral roll.
Although Iım fifty, Iıve never voted at a local, State or Federal election,
but have stood as a Victorian Senate Candidate at the last five Federal
elections (although Iım not normally on the electoral roll) and have
encouraged people to vote informal, or not vote at all.  At each Federal
election, Iıve noticed that more and more electors are refusing to
participate in a system they have no faith in.  Compulsory voting, or no
compulsory voting, an increasing number of Australians are not willing to
give parliamentary representatives power to make decisions for them.  The
globalisation of the world economy has driven home to an increasing number
of electors the futility of voting in elections because real power does not
lie in national parliaments, it lies in the board rooms of trans-national
corporations, whose wealth is greater than the wealth of many medium sized
Nation States.
The current revelations about how far the government was willing to go to
win political office will increase the disillusionment people feel with the
parliamentary process.  The future of the democratic system, does not lie in
the Moribund parliamentary system, it lies in direct democracy.  The
essential difference between direct and representative democracy lies in who
holds power.  In parliamentary democracy people give representatives a blank
cheque to make decisions for them.  Apart from revolution or the blocking of
supply, the government thatıs elected remains in power till the next
election, irrespective of whether they lied in their attempts to gain
office.
In a society based on direct democratic principles, the people involved in a
decision, make that decision.  They elect or appoint recallable delegates to
co-ordinate their decisions with delegates from other communities.  These
delegates have a fixed mandate and need to go back to the community that
appoints them to ratify any changes made at the delegates meeting.
What at first may seem like a cumbersome process, actively incorporates all
those interested in a particular issue in the decision making process.  This
means that once a decision is made (unlike the parliamentary system), most
people will work towards making that decision a reality.
The increasing irrelevance of the parliamentary system in most peoplesı eyes
is reflected in the decreasing turn out of electors in most parliamentary
elections.  If the Australian government and the opposition believes that
they can stem this hemorrhage by continuing to support compulsory voting,
they are sadly mistaken.

HOW CONVENIENT
George Speight, the "leader" of the Fijian Coup two years ago, has pleaded
guilty to treason and was sentenced to death by hanging.  Interestingly, his
sentence was commuted to life imprisonment, that same afternoon his
eleven-co-accused will be facing the Supreme Court on lesser charges in the
next few days.  Speightıs guilty plea is very convenient for those people in
the current Fijian government who benefited from the overthrown of the
elected Indian / Fijian coalition.
The Supreme Court trial bordered on high farce, itıs common knowledge among
Fijians that George Speight will be pardoned by the President in the next
year or two, on the grounds of national security.  Although Speight and his
lieutenants find themselves in court, their actions led to the installment
of the current government.  Their armed take-over of parliament two years
ago, has laid the ground work for the rejection of the multi-racial
constitution that most political groups in Fiji agreed to in 1997.
Almost every one of George Speightıs demands have been meet by the current
government.  Fijiıs economic woes are a direct consequence of the aftermath
of the coup.  Nothing has been resolved in Fiji, many traditional land
holders are unhappy with the result and most of the descendents of the
Indian indentured laborers that were brought to Fiji a hundred years ago to
establish the sugar cane industry, are still considered to be outsiders.
George Speightıs coup has put power back into the hands of the Fijian
traditional ruling families.  These families have been involved in life long
feuds to decide who shall, or shouldnıt rule Fiji.  Speight unleashed forces
that both sides wanted to contain.  His appeal to ordinary Fijians could
have meet with success if he had attempted to include those Indians that had
no political or economic power in Fiji.  Although Speight and his supporters
toyed with the idea of Social revolution, their movement foundered on the
question of race.
In the end George Speight and his supporters did the bidding of one of the
ruling families within the indigenous population.  Thatıs why his guilty
plea is such a "God Send" for those who now rule Fiji.  Itıs obvious deals
have been cut and these deals will ultimately benefit those traditional
chiefs that still wield power in Fiji.

ANARCHIST QUESTION AND ANSWER
Q.Should anarchist involve themselves in campaigns that promote reforms?
A.    Revolution? Reform?  Revolution?  Reform?  Are these concepts mutually
exclusive or mutually inclusive?  Can anarchists work for both, or do they
need to work to work for one or the other?  Anarchism is a philosophy that
increases personal options and maximizes human potential.  The central task
anarchistıs face, is how can they extend the options that help to maximize
that potential.  Revolution doesnıt necessarily lead to the creation of a
society that maximizes human potential, in some situations revolutionary
change has created communities that limit human potential.
The word reform, although recently debased by its association with the
globalization process, literally means "make or become better by the removal
of faults and errors".  The struggle for reforms maximizes the anarchist
movementıs ability to organise and can and does improve the lives of
ordinary people.  The problem in the struggle for reforms lies with the
tactical decisions anarchists make.  How and why they participate in the
struggle for reforms, can in some cases be as important as the reforms
themselves.
Anarchist need to realise that they have both short term and long term
goals.  They need to understand that one canıt exist without the other.  We
need to remember that we must link both our short term and long term
objectives.  In order to do this we need to tackle the question of reforms
and revolution as anarchist first and foremost.  There is no need to hide
who we are and why we are involved in the struggle for this or that reform.
Our participation in the struggle for reforms should not occur as a
substitute for our lack of success in creating revolutionary change.
As anarchist activists we should support those reformist struggles that
improve peoples lives, and that expand the envelope for us to organise what
we shouldnıt do is participate in these struggles as activists, not
anarchists.  By not explaining to people involved in these struggles what
motivates our involvement and what we hope to achieve by our involvement in
the struggle for reform, we give up the very real opportunity of being able
to influence other peoples behavior.  Our participation in reformist
struggles as anarchists, gives us a platform we can use to influence other
people, to seriously consider anarchism as a political and social movement
that can create egalitarian change.

ACTION BOX - ALL HANDS ON DECK
There are moments in life when listening and talking are just not enough.
Australians face this moment now.
Australiaıs common law provides the framework that gives anarchists the
opportunity to organise openly.  This is about to change, new laws will be
introduced in parliament that will change Australiaıs six intelligence
agencies into policing agencies.  Unfortunately, the only thing that stands
between activists and the deep blue sea is the Australian Labor Party.  I
know itıs a frightening thought knowing that the Labor Party is the only
organisation that can stop this legislation passing through the senate, but
unfortunately thatıs the reality we face.  We can bury our heads in the
sand, believing that it will all go away, or we can try to shame the Labor
Party into joining the Democrats, Greens and One Nation in the Senate and
block this draconian security legislation.  All those Australians who
believe that the Labor Party will not oppose this legislation, need to
remember itıs not over till the fat lady sings.
We encourage all activists from both the right and the left to protest
outside Labor Party offices across the country.  If itıs possible, occupy
their offices to highlight how deeply we feel about this affront to our
ability to organise.  The more people who take a stand and try to shame the
ALP into taking action to protect its traditional supporter base, the
greater the possibility that they will change their minds.
In Melbourne people who are opposed to the legislation are demonstrating
outside Labor Party Headquarters at 360 King Street West Melbourne (next to
the Flagstaff Gardens) every Wednesday at 11.30am.  Once legislation is
introduced into parliament demonstrations will be held outside Labor Party
headquarters everyday.
The Anarchist Media Institute initiated the protests outside Labor Party
Headquarters in Melbourne.  We have now been joined by a wide cross section
of people who oppose this legislation.
If youıre concerned about whatıs happening in this country, organise a
vigil, demonstration or occupation at ALP Branch, State and Federal offices.
The more widespread the demonstrations, the greater the possibility that
this proposed anti-human legislation will be stopped in its tracks in the
Senate.

RADICAL AUSTRALIAN HISTORY
THE EUREKA SERIES NO.4, THE PIVOTAL RULE OF THE SQUATTERS
>From the beginning of European colonisation in Victoria, in 1836 to 1851,
the landed aristocracy had taken over most of the land in Victoria and
cleared the indigenous inhabitants off their land in the most brutal and
barbaric fashion.
The squatters had only paid the Victorian government around a quarter of a
million pounds for the privilege of owning most of Victoria.  Most had not
bothered to pay more than a token deposit for some of the best land in
Australia.
The discovery of gold in such vast quantities, the resultant inflationary
pressures and the flooding of the goldfields with the "trash of all nations"
posed a direct threat to their economic and political hegemony.  La trobe
the Victorian Lieutenant Governorıs decision to impose a monthly license fee
on each digger was the way the government believed it could exert its
control over the miners and maintain the status quo.  The police forces sole
objective on the goldfields was the collections of the license fee; no
attempt was made to control crime except "sly grogging".  The police
augmented their meagre wages by legally pocketing part of the license fees
they collected and any fines they were able to impose.
As more and more diggers flocked; to the gold fields the old maxims that
prosperity depended on, "hard work and frugality, honoring the Queen and her
representatives and respecting law and authority" were threatened by the
spectre of people making a fortune in the matter of hours, not years.  To
make matters worse, many of the diggers had no respect for authority, let
alone a constitutional monarchy.  Many of these men were veterans of the
1848 European revolutions that convulsed Europe and shook the established
order.  La trobe the governor faced this threat with a rapidly shrinking
police force that regularly threw away their gold braided uniforms and
joined the throngs digging for gold.  In December 1851, he had a military
force of 44 men.  This was increased by a further 30 in January 1852.
The military presence had been kept low in Victoria to allow the squatters
to get on with the task of re-directing the original inhabitants.  Law in
the frontier lands was administered by the squatters with poison and the
gun.  It was common knowledge that the Colonial office in London was
concerned about the wholesale massacre of the colonies first inhabitants.
It would have impeded the squatterıs attempts to clear the land of "human
vermin" so their sheep and cattle could graze on it, if too many of her
majestyıs soldiers were around.
As the number of diggers increased La trobe had difficulty in maintaining
the status quo.  In October 1852 his problem was temporarily overcome when
the Vulcan arrived with five companies of the 40th regiment.  By January
1853, they were stationed in Ballarat and were incorporated in a mounted
troop that for all intentional purposes acted as a military force on the
goldfields.  
NEXT WEEK - A CHANGE OF GOVERNOR.

  BOOK REVIEW
The History of a Movement, Frank Fernandez, Translated by Charles Bute, See
Sharp Press, Tucson, Arizona USA 2001, ISBN 1-884-365-19-1
Even today many anarchists believe Castroıs Cuba is a triumph of libertarian
ideology.  Frank Fernandez the author of Cuban Anarchism has been a member
of the Movimiento Libertario Cubano en el Exilio (MLCE) for decades and was
the editor of its long running magazine Guangara Libertaria.  Reading the
book it seems Fernandez bitterness at the anarchist movementıs rejection of
the Cuban anarchists in exile has been a greater burden to bear than the
destruction of the Cuban Anarchist movement by Castro.
The bitterness felt by the author at this rejection, bubbles up here and
there throughout the book.
Cuban Anarchism is divided into six chapters that are chronologically
arranged.   Colonialism and Separatism (1865-1898), Intervention and
Republic (1899-1933), Constitution and Revolution (1934-1958), Castroism and
Confrontation (1959-1961), Exile and Eclipse (1962-2001) and; the final
chapter is heading Reality and Reflection.
Although the book is relatively small, it packs an ideological and
historical punch.  Chapter 4 Castroism and confrontation (1954-1961) is
definitely the most interesting chapter.  The author outlines step by step,
how the revolutionary fever of 1959 at the overthrow of the American
supported Dictator, Batista, was within two short years used to create a
quasi Stalinist State, that used imprisonment and the death penalty to
destroy its enemies both capitalist and anarchist.
If there is one weakness in Fernandez book, itıs his unwillingness or
inability to analyse the pivotal role the United States policy towards Cuba
has played, in the creation of the one party state that Cuba has become.
Cuban Anarchism is a book that should be read by all those activists who
harbor illusions about the directions that Cuba has taken.  The main lesson
that can be learnt from Fernandez book is that my enemyıs enemy is not
necessarily by friend.
The book is available from
Movimiento Libertario Cubano (MLC), PO Box 1525, Jose Marti Station, Miami
FI  33125-1525, United States.
Information about the book is also available from: See Sharp Press, PO Box
1731, Tucson, Arizona, 85702-1731, United States, Website:
www.seesharppress.com

PERSONAL OBSERVATION
Somethingıs happened:- a tall Chinese man in shorts and a t-shirt,
gesticulates at a group of boys walking slowly up the street.  Heıs still
shouting as I walk past him towards the refrigerator at the back of the milk
bar.  Heıs talking to a customer, shouting "theyıre the same boys who broke
a shelf in my shop this morning".  His wife heavily pregnant stands behind
the counter.  Seven days a week 6.00am to 9.00pm they make twenty cents
here, ten cents there.  One or the other stands behind the counter, mumbling
a few pleasantries to the customers whom irregularly break the monotony of
their 15 hour vigil.
On quiet days they hide behind a curtain in the backroom, bobbing up and
down serving whoever pops in.  Although itıs a hard way to make a living
competing with the 7 elevenıs and the 24-hour supermarkets, at least they
donıt have to put up with a boss.  At the end of the day their selling
service not goods, something the 24-hour supermarkets staffed with junior
employees will never be able to achieve.  Have a nice day, doesnıt have that
same ring to it when itıs mouthed by a total stranger.  I picked out two
bottles from the fridge and made my way to the counter, thinking that our
friend was making a fuss over a little youthful exuberance.  Iıd walked past
a group of four boys a minute or two before they entered the shop, they were
fourteen maybe fifteen, two had skate boards, underneath their arms, the
other two were nothing out of the ordinary.  They seemed to be just four
boys walking along a quiet suburban street.
Sometimes we donıt want to know, we close our eyes to what should be
obvious.  To be brutally honest, I just wanted to buy my two drinks and get
on my way.  As I approached the counter, I sensed something was wrong very
wrong.  The woman standing behind the counter was ashen her face was drained
of any color.  Real fear danced in her eyes.  She took the two bottles and
the five dollar note and automatically handed over the change, thatıs when I
noticed her two year old daughter standing beneath her, holding the hem of
her mothers dress.  She had fresh tears plastered on her face, her eyes,
were red, her face was swollen.  She looked up at me and tears welled up in
her eyes.  It seems our friends have through their thoughtless actions
succeeded in turning every European looking face into something to be feared
in this girlıs mind.  Looking at her parents I sense they blame you and me
for their daughters introduction to the wonders of racial intolerance in the
lucky country.

STOP PRESS ­ A CURE FOR LONELINESS?
Lonely?  Nobodies interested in what you have to say?  Donıt worry for the
cost of a local phone call, your life can change.  University educated men
and women will be hanging on your every word, youıll visit places you never
dreamed youıd see and interesting people will be knocking on your door at
all hours of the day and night.  One day you are a lonely only, the next day
you are the centre of attention.  All for the cost of a local phone call,
too good to believe isnıt it?
Iım not lying, courtesy of the Federal government, you can become the centre
of attention for just the cost of a local phone call.  No expensive ongoing
programs, no special food to buy and you donıt have to sign any contracts.
Once youıve picked up that phone, there is no going back, no more lonely
nights, no more lonely days filled with television soap operas, your name
will be on every bodies lips.  Just pick up that phone, call that only
friend you have and while you are chatting away, pepper your conversation
with two little words, bomb and terrorist and before you know it, those
special people at the Defence Signals Directorate will be hanging on your
every word.
University educated men and women will listen to everything you have to say.
Before you know it they will be following you around the place, talking to
your friends and employers and if you are lucky theyıll be knocking at your
door at all hours of the day or night.  If you are really really lucky,
theyıll take you to special places where youıll chew the fat with them till
the wee small hours of the morning.  Good bye loneliness, hello life, all
courtesy of the Defence Signals Directorate.  All those cynics who doubted
those friendly government people who never tire of saying "we are from the
government, we are here to help you", will have egg on their faces when they
realise that it only took one telephone call for you to become that special
person people fuss over.

Joseph Toscano / Libertarian Workers
for a Self-Managed Society

CD REVIEW:  ANATOMY OF DISTANCE  - "NINETYNINE" - 2002 Patsy
(Aus+World)/Stickfigure (US)
Vetushka: Ninetynine, half-band/half travelling circus. Are they from
Scotland, Tassie, Melbourne, or d) all of the above? Able to fill a room at
$10 a ticket, this eclectic outfit has a niche somewhere between
mainstream-chic and cult-inaccessibility, with an atmosphere of carnivale.
Like the background music at the freak sideshow.
Ruckers Hill Autonomous Circus: From out of the depths of Western Australia
they came, and since, have wavered between being a solo project, a duo and a
three or four (and even five) piece musical collective.  This their fourth
full CD, a collection of 7" releases (most re-recorded), compilation tracks
(Italian, Canadian, Aust, German) and out-takes from the other albums.
This could often spell (and smell like) death for a band, but thankfully,
not this time.
V: Its worth mentioning that this is barely rock, despite the frenetic
drumming and (only occasional) guitars. The main instrument is in fact the
trusty vibraphone, sometimes a couple of them, sometimes duelling with a
xylophone, and I suspect the main feature would be Laura McFarlaneıs
pleasingly unaffected vocals. If this description seems a bit jumbled, wait
until you hear their extraordinary version of Black Sabbathıs "Iron Man"
sans guitar, bass or other cliched rock textures.
R: Live, the band members change instruments nearly every song, and from
looking at the list in the cover, you could assume the same is happening
here.   Laura McFarlane herself, drums about half the time, as well as
provides guitar, keys, viola, trumpet, vocals and vibes ­ the solo act is a
hard thing to shake off obviously,   Cameron Potts (the other mainstay)
drums the other half and vocalises during "Iron Man", whilst the other three
members appear on various tracks.  Most often described as an "indi" band,
and acting likewise, they have managed to tour large parts of the world, run
their own mail order/record label, whilst still easily drawing locals to
their, still infrequent, gigs (and Iıve never seen them charge more than
$7).
V: But whether that $7 would be better spent on the gig, this CD, or a
reefer to appreciate it is a matter of personal taste.
R: Anyway, look out for them playing in a squat, beer barn, cellar or
gallery near you.   For more stuff, email them at ninetynine767@hotmail.com
Ratings: Vetushka -   3 black stars /5    R.H.A.C. -   4 balaclavas /5,
Email us: V: agentofsatan@today.com.au
R.H.A.C.: freakflagfly@afghan-network.net



 
                   

ANARCHIST PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED THIS WEEK
*  ABATALHA Vol 28  No. 190 Journal de Expresco Anarquista Nov / Dec 2001,
R. Marques de Ponte de Lima, 37-2-D, 1100-337 Lisboa, Portugal
*  ANARCHO ­ SYNDICALIST REVIEW NO. 33  Winter 01/02, PO Box 2824, Champaign
Il, 61825, United States, Asr@labourstart.zzn.com
*  FREEDOM Vol 63 NO. 3  9th Feb 2002, Anarchist Fortnightly, 846
Whitechapel High St, London, E17QX, England, Email:  freedom@ecn.org,
www.ecn.org/freedom
*   LıHOMME LIBRE   No 170 Jan / Mar 2002, Fils de la Terre, Recherche
dıune  psycholygie liberatrice, Boite Postale 206, 42005 Saint ­Ettenne,
FRANCE
*  LA MONDE LIBERTAIRE NO. 1264  17th ­ 23rd Jan 02, 145 Rue Amelot, 75011
Paris , FRANCE, Tel 0148 053 408, Fax  0149 299 859
*  UMANITA NOVA  Vol 82 NO. 5  10th Feb 02, Settimanale Anarchico, C.so
Palermo 46, 10152 Torino, ITALY, Tel/fax (011) 857 850, Mobile: 338-6594361
OTHER PUBLICATION RECEIVED THIS WEEK
*  KUJUK NO. 1, 2, 3, July ­ Dec 2001, PO Box 42991, CASUARINA NT 0811,
AUSTRALIA, Email  kujuk2001@hotmail.com, http://www.geocities.com/kujuk2001/
DEBT ELIMINATION APPEAL ­ Our debt stands at $1399.20 (At this rate weıll
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PARKVILLE 3052 Melbourne AUSTRALIA.  Have some stamps or extra cash lying
about?  Then make a donation to the Anarchist Media Institute, every cent
goes towards paying for our activities.
Debt 20-02-2002            $1399.20
 
 
Politically manipulated and scorned?  Sick of being a peripheral player
every time a Federal election comes around, then join:-  VOTE INFORMAL
TODAY, DIRECT DEMOCRACY TOMORROW - a "political party" that is putting the
boot into the Australian Parliamentary Process.  Send a stamp self-addressed
envelope to
VOTE INFORMAL TODAY DIRECT DEMOCRACY TOMORROW
PO Box 20, Parkville. 3052. Melbourne. Australia Telephone (03) 9828 2856
(24 hour answering service).  We will send information about how to join
this unique 21st century Australian phenomena.  DON'T PUT IT OFF  JOIN THE
PUSH FOR CHANGE NOW.
Written and authorised by Joseph Toscano
(National Convenor 205 Nicholson St Footscray 3012  Melbourne Aust.)
Current membership 164.  We need 550 members to apply for registration as a
political party, so that members can stand at the Federal election in 2004
and show Australianıs that Parliamentary Democracy is nothing more than two
minutes of illusory power.

DROMANA ANARCHIST PUBLIC DISCUSSION MEETING.
TOPIC:ANARCHISM 21ST CENTURY SOLUTIONS TO 21ST CENTURY PROBLEMS
SPEAKER:JOSEPH TOSCANO DATE:WEDNESDAY 20TH MARCH 2002 ,TIME:7.30 ­ 10.00PM
VENUE:DROMANA OLD SHIRE OFFICE, NEPEAN HıWAY, DROMANA  ALL WELCOME. ENTRY BY
DONATION

SLIP SLIDING AWAY
Do you know that if the current Œanti terroristı bill is passed through
parliament that any Australian intelligence agency can legally secretly
detain and interrogate anybody on a whim and if those detained donıt answer
their questions they can be imprisoned for five years.  ITıS NOT TOO LATE
YET TO STOP THIS LEGISLATION PASSING THROUGH THE SENATE.  Join a NATIONAL
SHAME THE LABOR PARTY CAMPAIGN and shame them into joining the Democrats,
Greens and One Nation to block this draconian legislation in the Senate
MELBOURNE protests are held every Wednesday at 11.30am outside LABOR PARTY
HEADQUARTERS 360 King Street West Melbourne (next to the Flagstaff gardens).
Join us.  ORGANISE YOUR OWN DEMONSTRATIONS OUTSIDE LABOR PARTY OFFICES
ACROSS THE COUNTRY.  IF YOU DONıT YOUıLL SOON MAKE UP TO A BRAVE NEW WORLD
WHERE INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES HAVE BECOME POLICING AGENCIES.

ANARCHIST MEDIA INSTITUTE OBSCENITY OF THE WEEK
Has been awarded to core and non-core man, the man who stole Pauline
Hansonıs trick and who lies to the Australian people to further his
political ambitions ­ THE PRIME MINISTER OF AUSTRALIA ­ JOHN (TRUSTME)
HOWARD.

ALL THE NEWS THAT FITS
Governor General Peter Hollingworth was told of child sexual abuse by an
Anglican bishop, but believed no action should be taken against him. Doctor
Hollingworth was an Anglican archbishop before resigning to become Governor
General.  Last year he learned that the bishop had sexually abused a 14 year
old girl for two years in the 1950s, while she was staying at a church
boarding house.  Doctor Hollingworth allowed him to keep preaching for six
years after learning of the abuse, believing his work in the church was
"much valued". The victim wrote to Doctor Hollingworth saying she was
disgusted that the church was supporting the former bishop and allowing him
to preach. "You heard his admission of guilt...I am surprised by the ability
of the church to protect its own even when guilt has been admitted, but to
offer no such protection to the victim" she said. Doctor Hollingworth wrote
that he was "sorry that you cannot accept the efforts that he and we have
made, which does allow for a new start with a penitent heart".  He said he
was "dissapointed that the matter has resurfaced". In another case, Doctor
Hollingworth's Brisbane diocese was ordered to pay $834,000 compensation for
'failing in its duty of care' towards a female student who was abused by a
teacher. The victim's family accused Doctor Hollingworth of doing little or
nothing to help them.  For example he praised the teacher's contribution to
the school in a letter to parents, after he had confessed his abuse.  Doctor
Hollingworth said he was prevented from doing more for legal and insurance
reasons.  The government expressed full confidence in his handling of the
case. - The Age.
A ten year old child died of a severe asthma attack - and may have lived if
his parents had been able to phone for help. When Sam Boulding collapsed at
his home in country Victoria, the Boulding's phone had been out of order for
ten days.  Sam's mother says the family had made more than 30 calls from
other phones asking Telstra to fix it (their nearest neighbour is a 10
minute drive away). They were told the problem was being looked at.Telstra's
service standard says that they should fix phone faults within three working
days, or provide a replacement within five.  However, they have had a
massive blowout in service faults since being partly privatised and cutting
costs, for example by laying off many of their technicians. Respiratory
physician Colin Robertson says there are several cases where parents have
been able to revive their asthmatic children, after being talked through
medical procedures over the phone. - The Age.
A police informant being paid by the Australian Federal Police to give
information on 'people smuggling' was himself a people smuggler, acording to
a senior Indonesian immigration officer. The Nine Network's Sunday program
reported that Australian expatriate Kevin John Enniss informed only on
people who refused to join his syndicate. - Nine network, the Age.
The government has admitted receiving photographs during the election
campaign which contradicted its statement that refugees had thrown their
children overboard while trying to enter Australia. Acting Defence Force
Chief Des Mueller revealed that 11 extra photographs  had been sent on
October 9 and 10 to the office of former defence minister Peter Reith, over
and above the two that Mr Reith released during the election campaign.
Defence Minister Robert Hill's office has confirmed that five of them
depicted asylum seekers in the water with their sinking boat in the
background. This contradicted Prime Minister John Howard, who had said that
Mr Reith's office had received only two photographs. Many photographs taken
from HMAS Adelaide,the ship which rescued the refugees, show them taking to
the water and being rescued by sailors as their boat sank. In contrast, the
two photographs released during the election showed only close-ups of
children in the water. Mr Reith claimed at the time they were proof of the
government's claims. Among those told of the misrepresentation within four
days of it occurring were Mr Howard's department, former Defence Minister
Peter Reith and his advisers. Despite this, the government did not correct
the public record during the  election campaign. - The Age.
The government's 'Pacific solution' to asylum seekers (paying Pacific
islands to house them, and refusing to take them when they are assessed as
genuine refugees) is set to cost a total of $482 million - almost double the
amount allocated in the budget. - The Age.
anarchist news service, write to James, PO Box 503, Newtown NSW 2042
or email james.hutchings@ato.gov.au


 If You Like What You Have Read, Photocopy This Publication and Leave It In
Doctors, Dentists, 
Vets Waiting Rooms and In Railway Stations, Bus Stops, Libraries and
Restaurants Etc.

The articles in the Anarchist Age Weekly Review reflect the personal
opinions of the authors, they do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the
publishers, the Libertarian Workers for a Self-Managed Society/Anarchist
Media Institute. 

All material in the Anarchist Age Weekly Review can be used by anarchists,
anarchist collectives and non-profit organisations as long as the source of
the material is mentioned in the article.  The Anarchist Age Weekly Review
reserves all rights as far as commercial publications are concerned.
                   
ANARCHISM ­ ADVANCING IN DIVERSITY STRIKING IN UNISON ­ YAMAGUCHI KENJI
WELCOME TO THE 21ST CENTURY ­ THE ANARCHIST CENTURY



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