Friends and supporters of an independent Australia are invited to a Public Forum and discussion on 4th July, the U.S. Independence Day.

"Keep Australia Out of U.S. wars:  Time for our Independence from the U.S.A. and all big powers"

Thursday 4 July
6.30 - 8.30 pm
Meeting Room 1, Victorian Trades Hall, cnr Victoria and Lygon streets, Carlton

Read more: Public Forum: Keep Australia out of US wars

Independent and Peaceful Australia Network (IPAN)

MEDIA RELEASE           26 May 2019   

US – Iran Tension fuelled by provocative language could lead to war

War could lead global economy to tailspin if price of oil surged upwards

“Following the post-election conversation with the US President, PM Morrison must assure the Australian people that he has not given any commitment to supporting military action against Iran. We call on him to inform the President that it is not in Australia’s interests to support military action on the people of Iran,” urged Ms Annette Brownlie, Chairperson of IPAN.

Read more: IPAN Media Release – War in Iran could burn us all

Independent and Peaceful Australia Network (IPAN) – Peace and Justice are Union Business Working Group sends message of solidarity to the dock workers in Genoa

On May 20th, dock workers in the Port of Genoa, Italy, went on strike refusing to load weapons on the Saudi Arabian freighter Bahri Yanbu bound for brutal war on the people of Yemen. Supported by the Genoa peace and community activists, they called on the Italian government to “open the ports to people and close them to weapons.”

And they succeeded, forcing the Saudi freighter to leave the Port of Genoa without the drones and other military equipment to be used against the people of Yemen.

A similar strike by dock workers and community protests at Le Havre Port in France also succeeded in stopping the loading of arms on the Bahri Yanbu from that port.

Independent and Peaceful Australia Network - Peace and Justice are Union Business Working Group sent a solidarity message to the Genoa dock workers and their unions the CGiL (Italian General Confederation of Labour) and ITF (International Transport Federation). 

Read more: Genoa Dock workers in Italy refuse to load weapons on Saudi ship destined for war on the people...

Melbourne 15 May 2019.

50th Anniversary jointly hosted by Spirit of Eureka and Rail Tram and Bus Union (Victorian Branch)

by Shirley Winton

Shirley Winton is a founding member of Spirit of Eureka Committee, established in 2004.

Shirley has been involved in workers’ and community struggles for many years.  She was an organiser with the Communication Workers’ Union – Postal and Telecommunication Division and National Tertiary Education Union. 

In 2005 Shirley and other unionists living in the western suburbs of Melbourne initiated the Western Suburbs Unions and Community Coalition, a grass roots network campaigning against WorkChoices and the ABCC.  Shirley also worked in the Western Suburbs Community Legal Centre.

In 1969 as a young worker and student Shirley participated in the 6 day strikes and protests against the Penal Powers and for the release of Clarrie O’Shea from gaol.  She met Clarrie O’Shea on several occasions.

Read more: Talk at 50th Anniversary of Clarrie O’Shea Penal Powers Victory