The Howard government has been able to do to the ABC what no other government has been able to do to it during its 75 year history. Anybody who stumbles onto Melbourne’s 774 or any other local ABC station would be forgiven for thinking they were listening to one of the less popular commercial networks.

Presenters on short term contracts, tip toeing through a minefield of written and unwritten boundaries, hamstrung by a government driven ideological agenda, and enforced by a Board appointed, not for the talents they can bring to the ABC Board but because they agree with the Prime Minister’s historical revisionist worldview, discuss such world shattering questions as the amount of lint accumulating in listeners navels To a lesser degree, Radio National has escaped the intellectual cull that has occurred on ABC local radio, even their self censorship and self preservation is the name of the game.

The convergence of political opinion that stifles parliamentary debate in Parliament has in the name of balance, allowed Right Wing extremists such as the Institute of Public Affairs (IPA) to openly strut their one dimensional worldview, almost unchallenged. Labor Party hacks, act as the counterfoil to the IPA on the ABC, their presence touted as the new ABC balance. The rich diversity of opinion that is reflected in the views expressed by the Left is seldom heard on local ABC radio. It seems at the ABC that self preservation demands self censorship.

If balanced, not censorship, was the name of the new game at the ABC, you would have Left Wing extremists like the Anarchist Media Institute debate Right Wing extremists like the Institute of Public Affairs, not some ALP reformist who believes in parliamentary democracy, globalisation, corporatisation, deregulation and privatisation masquerading as the ‘radical’ voice of Australia on the National, or should I say, the Howard government broadcaster.

If half the passion, energy and commitment that is reserved for the sporting field was directed at the political arena, maybe we would have a political process and political representatives we could be proud, not ashamed of. To leave politics in the hands of ‘professional’ politicians and political parties is a recipe for the mediocre, self serving political representatives we are currently saddled with.

It escapes me how 21 million living on a continent cannot tackle poverty or fund an adequate health care system or education system or provide a decent income for the elderly, disabled, single parents and the unemployed in our midst. If any country could eradicate poverty, we could.

Australians seem to have forgotten that most, if not all, of the rights, liberties and privileges they take for granted come from ordinary men and women taking part in political struggle. Australians in the past enjoyed their football and participated in strikes, occupations, vigils, public meetings, demonstrations, picket lines and formed and joined political parties and community groups. The same cannot be said about today’s Australians.

If we continued to reserve our passion and energy for the sporting field and ignore the political arena, we will soon find that all the sacrifices made by our parents and grandparents to improve our lives, were made in vain.

Talk about throwing money into a furnace. The current drought is not as Australians continue to be told, part of the drought, flood cycle that has sustained agriculture in the past, it is as most experts now agree a product of increasing greenhouse emissions. The Prime Minister’s talk of easing farmers out of agriculture with dignity with heaps of taxpayers money, is not being received as well as he expected in the wider Australian community. It may help the National Party hold onto a few rural electorates (the major reason for the package), but it won’t help the agriculture sector cope with the changing climate and the devastation to rural Australia this is causing.

The Howard government and farming organisations are largely responsible for rural Australia’s predicament. They encouraged Australian farmers to embrace deregulation and demutualisation. The cooperatives that were set up by farmers in the 19th and 20th century to protect them from the boom bust agricultural cycle, were dismantled in the obscene rush for agribusinesses to trample over the carcasses of small farmers to access international markets.

Most Australians would not begrudge the agricultural sector support if that same support was extended to other workers who through no fault of their own, find themselves in non sustainable industries. The Howard government has never shown an interest in the plight of manufacturing workers who have lost their jobs when industries they traditionally have worked in have moved offshore to access cheap labour. Australian workers plight has been compounded by the ever increasing numbers of ‘guest’ workers whose presence keeps Australian wages relatively low by world standard.

While other sections of Australian society are denied access to assistance to allow them to leave non sustainable industries with dignity, the government’s pre election largesse to the rural sector will be seen by many Australians as what it is – a cynical short term pre electoral pump priming exercise to help the Liberal / National Party’s stave off an electoral rout at the forthcoming Federal election.

How did a political party that was formed in 1977 ‘to keep the bastards honest’, that was able to garner over 10% of the vote, lose public support so quickly?

Theories for its demise range from public disquiet at the bitter leadership struggles within the Party, to Meg Lees’ decision to pass the G.S.T. When you examine the facts the Democrats demise has more to do with their propensity to negotiate with the government of the day about legislation than any internal problems. Although the Democrats held the balance of power for so long, they never blocked any government legislation, preferring to negotiate a compromise with the government of the day.

Meg Lees’ decision to support the G.S.T. is the type of decision that could be expected of parliamentary representatives who time and time again have refused to take direction from Party members. The Democrats have always paid lip service to direct democratic principles, claiming their party’s policies are determined by the membership, not their political representatives. Unfortunately for the Democrats, their theoretical commitment to direct democratic principles did not extend to the behaviour of their parliamentary representatives.

The Australian Democrats will disappear from the scene after this election because electors, who supported them in the past, have had enough of their stop, start parliamentary antics. All those Australians who have been burnt by the Howard government’s crash through parliamentary style, who voted for the Democrats in the past, are no longer willing to support a political Party that squandered the opportunity to derail the Howard government’s divisive legislative agenda, despite its own membership voting to do so.

The Democrat Senators have only themselves to blame for the electoral disaster awaiting; what was once an honest political Party that was willing to use the balance of power ‘to keep the bastards honest’.

It is ironic the very people who currently exercise political power in Australia because they were able to scamper up the ladder of opportunity that had been built as a result of their parents and grandparents political struggles, and the militancy of the trade union movement – (a struggle that won the baby boomers the right to access free secondary and tertiary education and secure relatively well paid job opportunities on a world scale), have collectively snatched away the ladders of opportunity from Generation Y. Our children and now our grandchildren are reaping the illusory benefits of corporatisation and globalisation. They are reaping the benefits of a society that has burdened Generation Y with debt and insecurity.

During the last two decades of the 20th century, the modern Western State has reverted back to its original function. The economic ‘reform’ of the last two decades have placed power and wealth firmly back in the hands of that small minority that owns the means of production, distribution and exchange, because the baby boomers have to a large degree abandoned their parents militant traditions and have meekly worked up the right channels.

Neo-liberal economic theory has brought the Western world back to the satanic mills of the early 19th century. The children of many baby boomers have become caught up in a cycle of debt and a need to hold down poorly paid casual jobs while pursuing their studies.

The increasing support baby boomers provide to their offspring has nothing to do with guilt because they did not spend ‘quality’ time with their children, but everything to do with supporting your children and family when the State is unable or unwilling to ensure that everyone in this country, not just those who exercise power and accumulate wealth, enjoy the same opportunities.

Land and liberty has been the calling cry of the anarchist movement because anarchists realise the ability to be able to exercise power is linked to the ability to secure your future in a real and tangible manner. People willingly give up their inalienable human rights to rulers because they re promised security. The nation States - the dominate political and social institution in most people’s lives – draws its power from its ability to get both the plebeians (the common people) and the patricians (ruling classes) to identify with the nation State

Anarchists promote social revolution, not national independence struggles, because they understand that national independence struggles have little to do with giving individuals the power to exercise rights and liberties as well as guaranteeing their personal security. Nationalism can be compared to a group of people living on a galley in the middle of the sea. They are drawn together because of the dangerous and hostile environment they find themselves in, but those in the galley have little in common if a minority sun themselves and eat the best food while the rest are forced to do the rowing and make do with what is left over.

The desire for personal freedom is interlinked with the need for personal security (freedom to, freedom from). The struggle for freedom is an integral part of the anarchist struggle to create a society without rulers. The struggle for land and liberty are intertwined. The ‘slaves’ can be freed and have the power to make their own decisions, but if they do not have access to the resources to make those decisions a reality and have the security to exercise the new found rights and liberties they have won, nothing will change.

There is no discussion about how power is shared, who exercises power and why 21 million people living on a continent cannot seem to get it right. Think about the type of conversation you have had today; apart from a superficial exchanges with a shopkeeper or two, the obligatory conversation about the football, Britney Spears’ latest public outing or what the kids and grand kids are up to, conversation outside the personal is almost non existent. Even during elections, conversation revolves about what the government is going to do for us, not how political power is exercised.

The affairs of the community are an alien subject for most Australians. A society that does not talk about the affairs of the community and is not involved in the decision making processes, is hostage to the aspiration of those who exercise power in that community. Conversation is not just the lubricant that keeps personal relationships going; it is the lubricant that keeps power out of the hands of a non representative minority. A politicised population is a dangerous population because it has both the vision and the means to challenge those who exercise power in society and monopolise wealth.

It does not really matter whether Geelong wins the AFL Grand Final, the Melbourne Storm wins the Rugby League competition, the Wallabies win the Rugby Union World Cup or Australia wins the 20/20 cricket in South Africa, it does matter that we have people in this country living in Fourth World conditions, it does matter that power continues to be exercised by those who own the means of production, distribution, exchange and communication. It does matter we are facing increasing uncertain weather patterns because of human activity. Until conversation revolves around bread not circuses, the problems we face as individuals and communities will continue to limit what we are able to achieve.

Although they hoped the local Aborigines would be inspired by their example, not one joined their little group. If it wasn’t for the assistance of the Aboriginal black trackers who became involved in the chase because they were promise they would receive guns and provisions for the help, it is highly unlikely the Tasmanians – survivors of a bitter and brutal 33 year war against the British in Tasmania – would ever have been captured. Ironically the black trackers received a few trinkets and blankets for their troubles, although they had been allowed to carry guns during the chase.

The following day, the pursuit party which had now grown to 29 men on horseback, arrived at Anderson’s station. They were confident that with the help of the black trackers they would soon overtake the 2 men and 3 women travelling on foot who had caused consternation and panic among the squatters in the Dandenongs, Westernport and the Mornington Peninsula. The following day, they were camped less than a mile from where the Tasmanians had set up their camp. That evening, William Thomas, the Assistant Protector, volunteered to negotiate with the Tasmanians. The rest of the party, believing the end of the chase was near, refused Thomas permission to negotiate.

Soldiers, police, squatters and black trackers woke up about 4am on Saturday the 20th of November. They moved out in single file, armed to the teeth, hoping to end the Tasmanians rebellion by daybreak. They walked about a mile through a lagoon and across sand hills until the Aboriginal trackers pointed out the smoke coming from the Tasmanians fire that was less then 30 metres away. The party was standing on top of a sand hill that overlooked the camp that had been set up in the gully below them. They formed a semi circle, the men less than 2 metres away from each other, had advanced to within 2 metres of the camp fire, when all hell broke loose. The Tasmanians dogs rushed at the posse, the Tasmanians tried to slip into the scrub amid a hail of bullets. Samuel Rawson, believing all the Tasmanians were dead, entered the camp. He found 2 of the women hiding under blankets. After putting handcuffs on them, he put a gun to their heads and forced them to call out to those in the scrub to surrender. A woman emerged from the scrub covered in blood. She had sustained a superficial wound to the head; the only casualty from the 30 to 40 shots that were fired at the heads of the sleeping Aborigines. One of the man who tried to escape from the scrub was captured, while the other man who had made his escape, decided to return when the women who had guns trained at their heads, pleaded for him to return.

The 5 freedom fighters were handcuffed and had chains put on their legs. While they quietly awaited their fate, the ravenous soldiers, black trackers, police, squatters made cakes from the 60 pounds of flour and sugar the Tasmanians had with them. The prisoners were marched through the bush and arrived in Melbourne 6 days later. They were taken before the Police Magistrate Major St. John who took evidence from 12 witnesses. He committed Tunnerminnerwait and Maulboyheenner for the murder of William Cook and the Yankee, and the 3 women Pyterruner, Truganini and Planobeena as accessories before and after the fact.

NEXT WEEK: ‘Judge Willis ’

This 40-page pamphlet is an excellent introduction for people who show an interest in finding out what anarchism is all about. Written with a New Zealand audience in mind, it is full of material that any reader anywhere in the world would find useful. Written in a first person folksy style, it looks at most of the big questions. ‘Anarchy’ gives a good overview without getting bogged down in the nitty gritty.

Divided into 10 short chapters, it tackles topics ranging from what anarchism isn’t to articles on basic principles as well as ideas on why the world needs anarchism, the relationship between anarchists and the State, as well as exploring ways of creating an anarchist society. The strength of this pamphlet is that it can be picked up and read by nearly everyone. People do not need a historical background or even need to have been interested in politics to gain something from this little offering.

I remember reading this pamphlet when it was first published. The positive feelings I had about it have not changed with time. If you have a working knowledge of anarchism, I do not think you will gain much from it. If you are new to anarchism, have thought about it in the past, and dismissed it as impractical, ‘The Transmogrification of Everyday Life’ is the intellectual tonic you need to find that hidden anarchist that exists in almost every one of us.

I’d like to thank the anonymous donor who put this pamphlet in the ‘Anarchist World This Week’ pigeonhole for me to have a look at. If you want it back, you better make yourself known. I don’t know if the Committee for the Establishment of Civilisation still exists; if it does, you could try their old address in, P.O. BOX 9263, TE ARO, WELLNGTON, NEW ZEALAND. If you cannot find a copy, send us 20 50cent stamps (Australian) and we will send you a photocopy.

Today, we enjoy that legacy. When you add peach, apricot, apple and pear blossoms in people’s back yards, we suddenly see a riot of colour in the city. Introduced plants are also doing their bit. Daffodils, tulips, azaleas, gardenias, daisies and pansies have taken over during the last week. If you look closely, the rose bushes are stirring and buds are appearing. Within about 10 days, the roses and irises will add a deeper hue to the range of colours.

Do not forget the Australian natives! They are also blooming, adding stability to that short burst of colour that normally disappears by mid October. At the same time all this is happening, the astute gardener is putting in their zucchini, tomato, pumpkin and spinach seeds. Those gardeners, who grew cauliflowers, cabbage, broccoli and Brussel sprouts in winter, are turning over their soil for spring. Seduced by spring, a young person’s fancy turns to procreation; us older folk, who have been seared by life, know there is nothing more satisfying than putting in a few plants into the ground and watching them grow. If we are really lucky, we can bore our neighbours and friends with stories about giant pumpkins, succulent zucchini, beautiful roses, poppies to die for, and if you are really, really lucky apples, pears, peaches and apricots.

I know it sounds romantic, but with minimum effort, you can stick a bit of dirt in a few pots and grow a few vegetables and flowers. It is much, much easier than it sounds and the rewards are more than worth the effort.

Sarkozy’s plans for French workers are as just as bizarre as his Iranian massage. French workers enjoy a 35 hour week and retire much earlier than their European colleagues. One in 5 (20%) of French workers are public servants and enjoy benefits other workers can only dream of. Dangling the twin carrots of economic revival and a more prominent place for France in world affairs, the President is about to launch a number of economic reforms that are designed to force workers to work longer hours and retire later.

Whether he is able to roll back the gains made by French workers and students as a result of the May 1968 insurrection – (when the French were a hair breadth away from radically reforming the State and putting power directly into the hands of the people) is still a matter for conjecture. The French continue to have a strongly unionised workforce who are not adverse to flexing their collective muscles by withdrawing their labour, occupying their places of work and staging massive demonstrations that can and brought France to a standstill. Despite enjoying significant public support, it is highly unlikely he will be able to implement his economic ‘reforms’ without significant resistance from French workers, despite the French media falling in behind Sarkozy’s agenda.

On second thoughts, considering how the Australian trade union movement was foolish enough to sign the Hawke Accord in the 1980’s (an agreement that saw it abandon its militant traditions and work ‘up the right channels’), it is possible French workers may be fooled by Sarkozy’s rhetoric and decide not to resist the proposed changes if they decide not to mobilise against Sarkozy’s plans to put power back into the hands of employers at the expense of workers, unions and employees; all they have to do is look across the Channel to see what happens to a workforce that has given up its militant traditions.

BOLLETTINO No.29, 2007, Archivio G. Pinelli Centro Stusdi Libertari, Via Rovetta 27, 20127 Milano, ITALY
Tel : 02 2846923
Fax : 02 28040340
Web : www.centrostudiliberati.it
Email : info@centrostudiliberati.it

LIBERTAIRIA Vol.9, No.3 July/Sept 2007, Il piacere dell’utopia, Editrice A, Cas.Post.17002, 20170 Milano, ITALY,
Tel/Fax : 02 28040340
Email : info@wleuthera.it
Email : libertarian@libertaria.it

UMANITA NOVA Vol.87, No.28 16th SEPT ’07, Settimenale Anarchico, C/-Federazione Anarchico Torinese, C.50 Palermo 46, Torino, ITALY.
Tel/Fax : 011 857850
Mobile : 3386594361
Email : fat@increte.it

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Some of Aust's 1.7 million retail & hospitality workers have lost 25% or more of their pay under the govt's new industrial relations laws, acc to a new report. The study by the Uni of Sydney found workers in retail & hospitality on non-union contracts suffered the most from the WorkChoices legislation, with employees in liquor stores losing up to 31% of their take-home pay & those in bakeries & fast food outlets losing up to 25%. The study also found 80% of non-union agreements in retail & hospitality removed annual leave loading, 76% removed Saturday penalty rates & 71% removed Sunday penalty rates. Other allowances which a majority of such agreements removed were overtime rates, public holiday penalty rates, laundry allowances & paid meal & rest breaks. The agreements also showed "next to no sign" of individual negotiation or flexibility, the stated aim of WorkChoices. Most agreements which removed previously protected award provisions were based on templates provided by lawyers, consultants or employer groups. (ACTU)

The Vic Premier has ruled out a Royal Commission into police corruption, despite Vic police admitting some of their officers may have been involved in the 'war' between rival criminals between 98 & 06, in which 20 people were killed. Previously the Police Commissioner, ex premier Steve Bracks & a series of Police Ministers have strongly rejected any such link. At least 6 serving or ex police officers are being investigated over 2 murders, incl the killing of a police informer & his wife in 04. However Premier John Brumby has ruled out setting up a Royal Commission into corruption. Mr Brumby called for a Royal Commission into police corruption in 97, when the Labor Party was in opposition. (ABC News, the Age)

Almost 40,000 homeowners have fallen victim to 'predatory lending', incl excessive & hidden fees & high interest rates, acc to a recent report. Acc to the report prepared by Fujistu Consulting, those guilty of predatory lending convince borrowers to accept excessively high set-up costs & fees, put pressure to sign documentation & make false declarations on application forms as well as taking out swift enforcement action on defaulters. More than half of the victims were low-income earners from outer urban or country areas & women were more likely to be targeted than men. Figures from credit check firm Veda Advantage show that loan defaults have jumped almost 30% in the last financial year. (news.com.au)

Almost 900 complaints have been made about Vic's privately-run, low-care nursing homes over the past yr. The claims incl residents being left with untreated wounds & burns & 12 men being forced to share 1 razor to shave. Ron Tiffen from the Office of the Public Advocate says the needs of residents in supported residential services are becoming greater. (ABC News website)

Some rural doctors are refusing treatment to pregnant women with diabetes, acc to a new study. Women interviewed as part of a Ballarat Uni study said they were forced to rely on websites for info. One woman said she was "told not to get pregnant & told I wouldn't be supported here if I fell pregnant". Rosemary King, a lecturer at the uni's school of nursing, who conducted the study, said lack of health services in rural areas was a growing problem b/c diabetes was becoming so common. (ABC News website, news.com.au)