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In 1977 Bjelke-Petersen tried to stop the anti-uranium movement by banning street marches. Unionists and students launched a defiant campaign which gained community support. By August 1979 Petersen was forced to back-down. Public Meeting: How unionists, students and environmentalists beat … Continue reading
Though the 17 Group is a secular group with no affiliation to any religious group, it is of course friendly to the born-again Community of Queensland Originists. Not for the first time therefore does it accommodate its loyal members who … Continue reading
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This is a talk given by Peter Cross at a meeting of the 17 Group on 7 May 2013 about the Secretary of the Trades and labour Council, Alexander Macdonald’s role was in building links between the Trades Hall and … Continue reading
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“Art is not a mirror held up to reality but a hammer with which to shape it.” ― Bertolt Brecht [Broadcast PShift Saturday 2 Mar 2013 4zzz fm 102.1 Friday at Noon] Homer was a busy dog this week, court … Continue reading
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Hi friends, Next Saturday 24th November the Australia China Friendship Society is running a seminar and reception (free) to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Whitlam Government recognition of China. Speakers include Graham Freudenberg (Gough’s speech writer), Manfred Cross (ex-MLA) … Continue reading
Queensland Children’s Hospital Dispute Leader Bob Carnegie will be Speaking at the Socialist Alternative Public Meeting on Tuesday (11 Sept 2012) The community protest at the Queensland Children’s Hospital (QCH) site has lasted for 38 days. The workers are fighting … Continue reading
The next meeting of the 17 group will be held on Wednesday the 4th of April at 7 pm in unit 6 at 20 Drury St, West End. The speaker will be Adrian Skerritt, who will initiate discussion of the … Continue reading
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Dear refugee supporters, This is to inform you of our public forum which will review and analyse the rhetoric surrounding “people smuggling”. We are all influenced by what the media and politicians say about this, and RAC wants to provide … Continue reading
On this night like any other night Maybe raining maybe clear In a world exploding is any heart open? Can you hear us, Can you hear? — from article 14 by tony mockeridge Speakers include: Mark Plunkett, Qld barrister representing … Continue reading
Hi to all who may be about to come to Drew’s talk to the 17 Group on the 1st of February. Here is a text by Drew that might spark some thoughts with which to prepare for the discussion that … Continue reading
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Friends of Ahimsa House Press Release At 10am on the morning of Wednesday 14th December 2011 Friend of Ahimsa House activist, Bernie Neville, will climb onto the roof of AHIMSA (Peace) House, 26 Horan Street, West End and hang a … Continue reading
Fire Brigade Employees Union, Sydney, 25 June 2011 as reported by Humphrey McQueen In memory of a life-long sparring partner – Bob Gould [This report does not summarise all the twenty-one papers. Instead, I reflect on three themes from the … Continue reading
From Dear SIMO members and friends We must let the State government know urgently there is wide support for national park on North Stradbroke Island and for ending mining. If you have already sent in a submission, we’re asking you … Continue reading
Liberals Shun forum on Higher Education Both the sitting Liberal (now independent) Michael Johnson and the new Liberal candidate for Ryan, Jane Prentice did not take part in the policy forum on Higher Education. The president of the National Tertiary … Continue reading
Professor Colin Mackerras spoke at a lunch organised by the Australia-China friendship Society at Adam’s Oriental Restaurant South Brisbane on Sunday 1st August 2010.
Prof. Mackerras is a Chinese speaker and frequent visitor to our northern neighbour.
He spoke mainly about Tibet and specifically about a visit to Dharamsala in India in April 2010. Dharamsala is the seat of the Tibetan Government in Exile.
A group of nine people (including Prof Mackerras) attending a conference on Tibetan studies held in Delhi met the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama (DL) is the Tibetans’ leading political figure in exile. Mackerras said that the DL is revered by Tibetans as being god-like. The group met the Dalai Lama talking with him for over an hour.
Mackerras said that he found the Dalai Lama to be a sincere and genial man, politically naive surrounded by a group of minders. Mackerras described the influence of these he called the ‘Dahlai Lama clique’ as being ‘evil’. Mackerras said that Tibet is seen from the West predominantly as a country that has been invaded by China and from China as a country that has fallen under the spell of the Dahlai Lama clique. He spoke about the pressure applied by the French President Sarkosy at the time of the Beijing olympics for the Chinese government to negotiate with the Dahlai Lama.
Mackerras analysed the proposals put forward by what he calls the DL clique.
Prof Mackerras (top right) shows slide of tourists in Dharamsala to guests of the Australia-China Friendship Society at Adam's Oriental Restaurant.
He voiced concern about the Norwegian groups like Human Rights House, the Norwegian Tibet Committee and Worldview Rights that are giving financial support to the DL.
He said that the proposals from the DL clique can be found on the Dahlai Lama’s website.
The proposals I found were called a peace plan and is at http://www.dalailama.com/messages/acceptance-speeches/nobel-peace-prize/nobel-lecture. It is slightly different to the one that Colin Mackerras referred to at the talk.
Over the years there have been many 5 point peace plans put forward by the DL.
Mackerras stressed that the demands are getting bigger all the time.
The proposals I found on the DL’s website were:
Map of the provinces of China showing Tibet in the south
Regarding point (1) Mackerras said that the DL clique wish to claim 1/4 of China as Tibet. He said that they want Qinghai, parts of Sichuan and Yunnan.
In contrast it was Mackerras’s view that Tibet had been part of China for many years. He said Tibet is recognised internationally as part of China. He said that the DL clique is undemocratic and their demands are unreasonable and politically impossible.
Mackerras advocated negotiations take place on lesser proposals around culture, religion, and the environment. He doubted the wisdom of giving the DL control of the education system because Mackerras said it would be used to turn Tibetans against the Chinese government. He said that the demand for withdrawal of Chinese troops should not be left solely to the DL and his clique.
When asked what was the difference between US troops being in Afghanistan and Chinese troops in Tibet Mackerras said that the difference was that Tibet is part of China. A follow up question was put to the professor asking what gave the Communist Party of China the right to stop Tibetans from choosing a return to feudalism. Mackerras said that China should not allow modernization of Tibet to be stalled. He said that it would lay the Chinese government open to the charge that it held back education and development of the Tibetan people.
The talk by Prof Mackerras was interesting because you do not often hear an academic express such a strong point of view. A debate of the more contentious aspects of his talk would be well worthwhile.
Report by Ian Curr, August 2010
Reference:
“Democratic Imperialism”: Tibet, China, and the National Endowment for Democracy” by Michael Barker
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Posted in Political Stories, Popular Culture, Public meeting, Recent
Map of Palestine. Labels show 2009 borders. (click to magnify – makes for a very good topographical map)
The following is a report of an ALP/Union Forum titled A two state solution to the Israel Palestine conflict held at Qld parliament on Remembrance Day, 11th November 2009.
The forum was well attended by about 100 people from unions and by ALP members and people from the community.
There were current and former ALP MLAs and councillors and union officials present. The forum was sponsored by various unions including the Construction, Forestry, Mining & Energy Union (CFMEU), Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU), Communications Electrical Plumbing Union, Qld Branch (CEPU) and the Plumbers Union.
There were several community and other groups and associations represented including the Qld Palestinian Association (QPA), Just Peace, Justice for Palestine. Members of the National Union of Students and people from the Jewish community and the Foreign Affairs editor of the Courier Mail were also present.
This report was prepared from notes written by the author at the forum. I made a written request well in advance of the forum to record it (on film) but this was refused on the basis that it was a private meeting of ALP and Union members.
I noticed that the foreign editor of the Courier Mail was present and took notes (but not as many as I did). I have tried to faithfully document what was said at the forum. I take responsibility for errors, omissions or misunderstandings. I ask that anyone who has evidence of error to please let me know and I will try to correct them.
The forum discussion was on the following set issues:
• What do we mean by a two state solution?
• How best to achieve it and what are the obstacles?
• What are the consequences if a two state solution fails? Continue reading
Posted in Articles, History, Middle East, No War, Public meeting, Recent, solidarity, Unions
A few weeks ago the State Government announced it wants to privatise Queensland Rail (other than passenger services), Queensland Motorways, the Port of Brisbane, Forestry Plantations Queensland and the Abbot Point Coal Terminal.
If it gets away with selling these assets, what will be next – the electricity industry, our water supply? Many Queenslanders oppose such a fire sale of our public assets.
So does the Electrical Trades Union (ETU) and we are sponsoring a Statewide community campaign – the Light on the Hill campaign – to try and stop the sale.
Queenslanders concerned about the State Government’s proposal are invited to attend the following campaign activities in their area.
The Electrical Trades Union (ETU) is sponsoring a Statewide community campaign against the sale of public assets, including most of Queensland Rail, by the Bligh Labor Government.
The Light on the Hill campaign gives ETU members and their fellow Queenslanders a chance to speak out against the privatisation of State Government assets. Continue reading
The topic: “ St. Mary’s in Exile at the TLC [Queensland Council of Unions building]”. The speakers will be the two priests who were deprived of their former roles as the administrators and celebrants at St Mary’s church, namely Peter Kennedy and Terry Fitzpatrick.
Peter and Terry will, mainly in question and answer form, address the issues, religious, philosophical, cultural and social, raised by the series of recent events culminating in their dismissal by the Bishop.
For background on the issues involved go to the St Mary’s Community website at
Mt Mary's in South Brisbane (with the land rights flag taken down)
Letters from Archbishop of Brisbane suspending Fr Peter Kennedy
Submitted by Editorial Team on Fri, 05/06/2009
· Notice of Penalty of Suspension
· Notice of revocation of faculties to hear confessions, preach and assist validly at marriages (These documents are pdf files and require the free Adobe Reader)
· Media reports Saturday June 6
Trotsky contented himself with saying about this one “ Not in my area ” and muttering something as he left the room that sounded like “ opium of the people ” and “ sigh of the oppressed creature ”. So again he probably won’t be there. But the usual convivial crowd will be, eating and drinking and talking into the night. All are welcome, orthodox and heretical, lapsed and unlapsed, anyone who believes in anything.
Posted in community, Public meeting, Recent
Sri Lanka, Stop shelling hospitals – Peaceful Protest in BrisbaneSunday, 10 May: “More than 2,000 innocent civilians have been killed in the last 24 hours. The wholesale bombardment by Sri Lankan planes and shelling on a densely populated, non combatant civilian safe zone is state terrorism and a war crime,” said S. Pathmanathan, the LTTE head of international relations on Sunday.
“The Tamil people are dismayed that the United Nations and the International Community have failed in their obligations to protect the endangered civilians. […] We only ask for an impartial relief effort similar to those extended to other international conflict zones by the UN and the international community in the recent past,” he further said.
Posted in No War, Public meeting, Recent, solidarity
The April Meeting of the 17 Group on Wednesday the 1st of April at 7pm in unit 6 at 20 Drury St, West End will be addressed by Merv Partridge, who is not long back from the United States where he closely observed and recorded on videotape the recent election campaign of Barack Obama.
His talk, illustrated by original video footage, will centre on political dilemmas facing the Obama administration.
Dan O’Neill
Merv’s summary:
Tasting: Obama Koolaid 2008
I made two trips to the United States during 2008 to take care of animals and to observe the primaries and the election. I had contact with the Obama campaign as well as third party and alternative groups.
Dan has asked me to lead a discussion on the 2008 election and its implications. Oral (as in video) history is one of my pastimes and I have material that I have just begun processing.
During this session I would like to show some excerpts from Obama’s last speech before the election. He made the speech at the Fair Grounds in Manassas, Virginia – a site chosen for its historic echoes and because Virginia was considered a litmus test for the election. A southern slave State in the civil war Virginia has been Republican for decades. It has been moving Democrat in the last few years and it was widely said that if Obama could carry Virginia he was likely to win the country. Continue reading
Posted in political economy, Public meeting
Please feel welcome to pass this invitation on to your friends and networks. Continue reading
Posted in Environment, Public meeting
A note to indigenous people, Workers BushTelegraph may contain recordings, images and songs of people who are deceased.
