Tag Archives
29 years, 437 deaths – yet no answers, no convictions and no justice
By Wendy Bacon Aboriginal families whose sons or daughters have died in custody formed a circle for a healing smoking ceremony, performed by Gadigal elder Aunty Rhonda Dixon-Grovenor at Djarrbarrgalli (the Gadigal word for ‘Domain’), during a Black Lives Matter rally in Sydney on Sunday 5 July. The ceremony began a protest rally calling for […]
Aboriginal elders stand firm on Black Lives Matter rallies
By WENDY BACON This story was UPDATED on Saturday July 4. Black Lives Matter - Stop Black Deaths in Custody organisers have called on NSW Police not to stand in the way of a protest at Djarrbarrgalli, the local Gadigal word for Sydney’s Domain, this Sunday July 5. Nearly two thousand people have already indicated […]
The dreamworld of WestConnex PR
By WENDY BACON This week WestConnex launched what the Federal and NSW governments boasted was an “interactive, world-first online community event” to promote Transurban’s WestConnex M8, the tollway from Kingsgrove to St Peters that will open soon. It’s an interactive video with lots of places where you can click to immerse yourself in the tollway […]
Risky high-rise faces fast-track approval
By WENDY BACON St Peters’ residents fear that the NSW Minister for Planning, Rob Stokes, is fast-tracking a development proposal that is based on outdated and misleading information about contamination, aircraft noise, pollution and traffic risks. The development, known as Precinct 75, is currently a ‘creative hub’ of 70 small businesses housed in old industrial […]
Inner West Council pauses deal with Newington School
By WENDY BACON The Inner West Council pressed pause last night on its agreement to give private boys’ school Newington exclusive right to use part of Tempe Reserve in exchange for a contribution to upgrading sporting fields at the Reserve. After a lengthy debate, a majority of Councillors voted against continuing with the deal that […]
Starving students still waiting for NSW Govt support
By WENDY BACON On 15 May, the NSW government announced a $20 million housing and advice assistance package for international students in NSW. NSW, which has the most international students and the most expensive housing market, was the last to offer them assistance. Coming after a week of stories featuring images of hungry students queuing […]
Tenancy defenders win reprieve
By WENDY BACON A newly formed community group has stopped its first eviction in St Peters this week. The Housing Defence Coalition (HDC) has been formed to protect vulnerable tenants during the COVID-19 pandemic. New Zealand citizen ’Layla’, who recently lost her full-time job, received a call from the tenant from whom she sublets on […]
Coalition leaves tenants swinging
By WENDY BACON On March 30 the NSW Parliament passed an emergency law granting the NSW government the power to place a moratorium on evictions. But before it can come into an effect, the government needs to introduce new regulations under existing laws. So far, the Gladys Berejiklian government has failed to take action. The […]
UNSW sacks Indigenous artist
By WENDY BACON Thirty artists and academics, including several significant Indigenous artists, have vowed to boycott University of New South Wales galleries unless they reappoint long-term Indigenous staff member and Director of Indigenous Programs Tess Allas, whose contract was terminated in October. Allas, who has worked at UNSW Art and Design for more than 13 […]
Abortion no longer a crime in NSW
By WENDY BACON Update: On September 26, the NSW Legislative Assembly passed the Abortion bill to take abortion out of the NSW Crimes Act. The bill was passed with all its amendments and on the voices without a division. The story provides an insight into how the bill progressed through parliament. The Human Rights Law […]
