GPJA #414: Solidarity with Ports of Auckland Workers

GLOBAL PEACE AND JUSTICE AUCKLAND NEWSLETTER No. 414, March 2, 2012

PORTS OF AUCKLAND DISPUTE
Thank-you for showing your continued support for the MUNZ workers in the Ports of Auckland dispute. While the Maritime Union continues to work for a settlement of the dispute via collective bargaining, we are seeing no movement from the Port Company except to progress the contracting out process. As a result we have no choice but to fight for job security and against the contracting out of our jobs. This new video featuring Ports of Auckland workers deals with the issues and is a must watch. http://youtu.be/nTsm90fuXdM Please share it around and mention it on Facebook and Twitter. Catch-up with the issues at www.saveourport.com Picket Support: We have a 24/7 picket at Teal Park – outside the Fergusson Wharf gate (in front of the Westpac Rescue Centre) corner Tamaki Drive and Solent Street from 10 am Friday 24 February. If you are Auckland based or visiting town we would appreciate you joining us at the picket where you can learn about the dispute, directly from the workers concerned and show your solidarity. Where ever you live you can encourage people you know to come and join us. We are particularly inviting the public on the weekend of 3-4 March when there will food, children’s’ activities and entertainment for all during the day. Parking is on Tamaki Drive and surrounding streets. Please join us. Financial Support: We have set up 2 ways for individuals to provide financial support for our members. By calling our information line 0900ourport / 09006877678 to make a $5 automatic contribution. or by depositing money into our bank account: Account name: MUNZ National Fighting Fund Account number: 02-0560-0450165-004 Branch: BNZ Manners Street, Wellington. Website and Facebook. Visit www.saveourport.com or www.facebook.com/saveourport or follow us on www.twitter.com/saveourport to keep up to date with the dispute. Please encourage others to visit the site and sign our online petition. Or you can download a hard copy of our petition and get your friends, family and workmates to sign it, then send it back to us. Keep in touch via www.saveourport.com or by ringing 09 9510226. In Solidarity, Garry Parsloe, National President, Maritime Union of New Zealand.
Container ships in Ports of Auckland during strike expected http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1203/S00025/container-ships-in-ports-of-auckland-during-strike-expected.htm
The mayor, the port, and the wharfies Posted by Phil Twyford http://blog.labour.org.nz/2012/02/29/the-mayor-the-port-and-the-wharfies/
Australian workers extend helping hand to Ports of Auckland workers http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1202/S01019/australian-workers-extend-helping-hand-to-ports-of-auckland.htm
Rogue management seeks overseas stevedores to replace Auckland workers http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1202/S00958/rogue-management-seeks-overseas-stevedores.htm
Ports of Auckland CEO must focus on dispute, not wild claims http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1202/S00271/ports-of-auckland-ceo-must-focus-on-dispute-not-wild-claims.htm
Local Board Members call for urgent change of approach at Ports of Auckland http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1202/S00235/call-for-urgent-change-of-approach-at-port-of-auckland.htm
Safety fears raised at Tauranga port http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10787221
Port workers begin three week strike http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10787678
Workers join picket at Ports of Auckland as strike begins http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1202/S00853/workers-join-picket-at-ports-of-auckland-as-strike-begins.htm
Global mining and maritime unions back Ports of Auckland workers http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1202/S00912/global-unions-back-ports-of-auckland-workers.htm
What Len Brown should do about the POAL dispute http://tinyurl.com/7q6oqqf
Harawira calls on mayor to settle Ports dispute http://www.3news.co.nz/Harawira-calls-on-mayor-to-settle-Ports-dispute/tabid/421/articleID/244764/Default.aspx#ixzz1nqrvTWfC
Chris Trotter: Equal and Opposite http://bowalleyroad.blogspot.co.nz/2012/02/equal-and-opposite.html
Employer militancy is the new black by Denise Roche http://blog.greens.org.nz/2012/02/28/employer-militancy-is-the-new-black/
A Cuppa Tea With The Mayor – MANA Leader Hone Harawira http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1203/S00002/a-cuppa-tea-with-the-mayor.htm

ANNOUNCEMENTS

POSITION VACANT AS MANAGER, THE PEACE PLACE, AUCKLAND
The Peace Place (Aiotanga)* is a work of the Dominican Family and Pax Christi. A space in the heart of Auckland dedicated to a more just and peaceful world; it promotes inter-religious dialogue, the study of ecology, nonviolence and restorative justice. The Peace Place is seeking a Manager, paid, at 20 hours per week. Expressions of interest to the secretary at: The Peace Place, 2F / 22 Emily Place, Auckland 1010, Aotearoa New Zealand or email: paxnz Closing date: 31 March 2012. * a place of peace and shelter. http://thepeaceplace.wordpress.com/

UREWERA 4 TRIAL: AUCKLAND HIGH COURT, COURTROOM 15.
Supporters and fellow freedom fighters welcome to come to court to support Urs, Emily, Rangi and Taame defending charges of participation in an ‘organised criminal group’ and Arms Act charges stemming from the 15 October 2007 police raids around the country (court generally sits 10am-5pm). We are also seeking short, medium and long-term accommodation for supporters wishing to travel up to Auckland in order to support the defendants.For more information check out info

STOP DISCRIMINATION AGAINST OUR POOREST CHILDREN
CPAG needs your help to get to the Court of Appeal and beyond. The courts agree that the In Work Tax Credit which is a child-related family assistance payment discriminates against some of our poorest children but is justified. So, the discrimination continues. CPAG believes this is unacceptable – we want a fair go for all kiwi kids. Where we stand. Since 2004 CPAG has challenged the Government over its discriminatory In Work Tax Credit (IWTC) which is a government payment to help with the costs of children. CPAG argues that the IWTC is unlawfully discriminatory as it is denied to the families of beneficiaries and this denial keeps many children in poverty while aiming to incentivise their parents to work. Beneficiary families are ineligible for the IWTC even when work is not available, or when parents cannot meet the IWTC work requirements because of their child-caring responsibilities, disability or sickness. Families lose their right to the IWTC even when they lose work because of events beyond their control like recession, illness or an earthquake. In November 2011, the High Court ruled that the IWTC is discriminatory in part. But the High Court said that this discrimination could be justified because the purpose of the IWTC is to incentivise parents into work. CPAG disagrees. Discrimination cannot be justified when so many beneficiary families are in poverty for reasons outside their control. This is especially true for children who have no capacity to act in this matter. Now we are preparing to appeal on this point to the Court of Appeal and if we fail there, to the Supreme Court. Why we need you. Until now, the Office of Human Rights Proceedings at the Human Rights Commission has paid for CPAG’s top legal team. The Office is pledging to continue providing our junior counsel, but can no longer offer any funding for our senior counsel, court fees or expenses. Our counsel has committed to do some of the work pro bono. The case has its first hearing at the end of March 2012 to determine if and what parts of the decision can be appealed. To take our case to the Appeal Court and beyond we need to raise $50,000. You can make your donation in these ways. 1. Direct Deposit, Kiwibank 38-9003-0066858-00 please use your name and 2012 Appeal as a reference. 2. Via Credit card through PayPal. Click here to donate now. 3. Send cheques to Child Poverty Action Group Inc, PO Box 5611, Wellesley St Auckland. If you need more information to be convinced ours is a worthy cause here are more facts…
The IWTC is part of the Working for Families package that was set up to address issues of child poverty and incentivise people into work. It is worth $60 per week for families with 1-3 children, and more for larger families. However those children whose parents cannot work a certain number of hours or are on an income-tested benefits are ineligible for IWTC, and so they don’t get this money. It’s a large amount to lose for families already struggling to make ends meet. CPAG is arguing that this is discrimination against children on the basis of their parents’ work status, which is prohibited under the Human Rights Act. CPAG agrees that there should be a gap between work and beneficiary income and incentives to work, but strongly disagrees with linking adults’ incentives to work to the financial support necessary to raise their children. The harm to beneficiary children is disproportionate to the gain to society by having a work incentive. The Government’s own estimates are that only 2 – 5 % of beneficiary families are able to leave the benefit and obtain the IWTC (by getting a job or starting a relationship with somebody who is in paid work). Yet the IWTC excludes the entire group of beneficiary parents and their children. More than 200,000 children are affected by this discrimination. They are the poorest children in New Zealand. Thank you for supporting CPAG and sharing our vision of a New Zealand where no child has to live in poverty. Marianna Munting, CHiLD POVERTY ACTION GROUP Coordinator, T: admin | P: PO Box 5611, Wellesley St, Auckland 1141. Ka Whangaia ka tupu, ka puawai -That which is nurtured, blossoms and grows

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL – WHO DO YOU KNOW WHO DESERVES SOME RECOGNITION?
2011 saw Ugandan LGBT rights activist Kasha Jacqueline Nabagesea pick up the Martin Ennals Award for her work defending the rights of the LGBT community in her home country. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Leymah Gbowee and Tawakkol Karman were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize "for their non-violent struggle for the safety of women and for women’s rights to full participation in peace-building work". And the Joint Mobile Group of the Russian Federation were awarded the Frontline Defenders Award for their work investigating torture, killing and disappearances in Chechnya. All of these winners are courageous human rights defenders and on 12th May 2012, Amnesty International Aotearoa New Zealand will close its 50th Birthday Year by presenting its third Human Rights Defender Award to someone from NZ or the Pacific region who we believe is a brave defender of human rights. The Award is presented in recognition of one person’s remarkable contribution to the protection, promotion and defence of human rights and nominations are open now. Nominees must be from or working in NZ or the Pacific region and could have made their contribution to human rights through work carried out in their community or region; work for a law firm with a proven track record in human rights cases; work in the media – either in print or broadcast media and with a proven record in promoting human rights; or it could be someone ‘working in the field’ as a researcher, photographer, advisor, educator etc. Previous winners of the award are Shamima Ali of the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre and Naing Ko Ko a Burmese Human Rights Activist and former Amnesty International Prisoner of Conscience. If you know someone who deserves to be recognised for their human rights work please nominate them. The closing date for receipt of nominations is Wednesday 11th April 2012 @ 5pm. Nomination forms are available to download from http://www.amnesty.org.nz/get-involved/human-rights-defender-award

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY: WOMEN SAY NO TO WAR
Thursday, 8 March 2012. Below are the details of two events in Wellington marking International Women’s Day – if you are planning a Women Say NO to War event this year, please email the details to pma so they can be added to the Women Say NO to War page at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/iwd12.htm
International Women’s Day: Women Say NO to War, at 5.30pm, Thursday, 8 March 2012: Come along to add your voice to the call of women around the world who are saying NO to war and YES to peace – our theme this year is alternatives to military spending, eg ~ welfare not warfare ~ education not militarisation ~ Join us at 5.30pm at the NZ Defence Force Headquarters, corner Aitken and Mulgrave Streets, Wellington. Please wear black if you can, and bring black streamers / ribbons / wool, photos, messages, cardboard or paper peace doves to decorate the Defence Force HQ, something to make a noise with – pot and spoon, drum, your voice – during the time of anger, flowers or candles to leave there during the time of mourning, and a poem or reading to share during the time of reflection … and your own banner or placard if you wish. All women and children welcome. Organised by Peace Movement Aotearoa and Wellington Women in Black, for more information contact email pma or go to http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/iwd12.htm Please help distribute the poster at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/WomenSayNoToWar2012.pdf and publicise the Facebook event page at http://www.facebook.com/events/112844222177439
Wellington Women Walk For Peace, from 12.30pm to 1.30pm, Thursday, 8 March 2012: Women Say NO to War will be part of the Wellington Women Walk For Peace "to raise awareness of our interconnectedness and interdependence in our hope and work towards the attainment of peace. We invite all women from all walks of life, from different religions and diverse beliefs, from different ethnicities and cultures to join the Walk ~ walk to support the protest against violence on women and children ~ walk to support protest against wars ~ walk to support empowerment of women". Gather at parliament at 12.30pm, then walk to Civic Square – more information is available on the Wellington Women Walk for Peace site at http://women4peace.weebly.com and the WWW4Peace Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/events/315238248526362 If you would like to join Women Say NO to War on the walk, please wear black if you can and look out for the Women Say NO to war banner. Peace Movement Aotearoa supports Wellington Women Walk For Peace.

JOIN THE BDS GLOBAL DAY OF ACTION ON 30 MARCH 2012!
Palestinian BDS National Committee info http://www.bdsmovement.net/2012/bds-global-day-action-201-8667
Commemorating Land Day, the Palestinian BDS National Committee (BNC) invites people of conscience around the world to unite for a BDS Global Day of Action on 30 March 2012 in solidarity with the Palestinian people’s struggle for freedom, justice and equality and for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) against Israel until it fully complies with its obligations under international law. Let’s showcase our BDS successes through creative actions and media efforts and mobilize for the World Social Forum Free Palestine in November 2012. First launched at the World Social Forum in 2009, the BDS Global Day of Action on 30 March coincides with Palestinian Land Day, initiated in 1976, when Israeli security forces shot and killed six Palestinian citizens of Israel and injured many in an attempt to crush popular protest against ongoing theft of Palestinian-owned land. Thirty-six years on, Israel continues to entrench its regime of occupation, colonization and apartheid and intensify its grave violations of the basic rights of Palestinians everywhere, whether those living under occupation, citizens of Israel, or the majority of the Palestinians, the refugees.
In the past year we have continued to witness a historic outburst of people power motivated by the desire for justice and freedom from tyranny and corporate greed. There is renewed belief in popular struggles as a means to achieve human emancipation and empowerment. Ordinary people have bravely stood up to the decades-old regimes of the Arab region, overcoming their fears and challenging their longstanding subjugation. Largely inspired by the Arab popular upheavals and earlier, similar uprisings across Latin America, people across the world have vocally “occupied” the centers of corporate exploitation or otherwise mobilized to demand social justice and an end to devastating wars. The ‘Arab Spring’ has given new impetus to the ongoing struggle against imperial hegemony in the global south and a new reach for the alternatives to neoliberalism. The global 99% are further uniting and connecting their struggles for justice, rights and dignity.
In this spirit of shared struggle, we invite Palestine solidarity activists and all those active in social justice and human rights causes worldwide to use this day of action to launch a far reaching mobilization effort towards the upcoming World Social Forum Free Palestine to be held in Porto Alegre, Brazil, in November 2012 and to take action to highlight and develop the key campaigns of our global movement.
Read the action call in full and ideas for action: http://www.bdsmovement.net/2012/bds-global-day-action-201-8667

APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR WHITE POPPY PEACE SCHOLARSHIPS
A reminder that the deadline for applications for 2012 White Poppy Peace Scholarships is Friday, 9 March 2012 – information about the Peace Scholarships and how to apply is provided below. About the White Poppy Peace Scholarships – The Peace Scholarships comprise at least two grants that are awarded each year to assist with research into: the impacts of militarism, militarisation and warfare; alternatives to militarism, militarisation and warfare; or collective non-violent responses to state violence. The Peace Scholarships are for students at any tertiary education institution in Aotearoa New Zealand. Each grant is a minimum of $1,000 – one is for a Maori or Moriori student, with the other/s open to any student with New Zealand citizenship or permanent residency. The White Poppy Peace Scholarships were launched by Professor Cynthia Enloe at her public lecture in Wellington on 30 October 2009. The first two Peace Scholarships were awarded in April 2010, and two more in April 2011. How to apply for a Peace Scholarship – Guidelines for applicants are available at peacescholarship The deadline for applications for a Peace Scholarship to assist with research costs during the 2012 academic year is Friday, 9 March 2012. How you can support the Peace Scholarships – The White Poppy Peace Scholarships are entirely funded by donations, including those collected during the White Poppies for Peace Annual Appeal, 17 to 24 April. The amount and number of grants awarded annually is determined by the amount raised each year. Information about how you can support the Peace Scholarships is available at pma with ‘Take off e-list’ in the subject line. If this message has been forwarded to you, and you would like to be added to our national e-list, please send a message to email pma with ‘Join national e-list’ in the subject line.Thank you. White Poppy Peace Scholarships, PO Box 39-059, Te Puni Mail Centre, Lower Hutt 5045. peacescholarship www.peacescholar.org.nz

WHAT’S ON

Friday, 2 March – Sat 3 March 9.00am – 5.00pm both days, PSA training room, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Road, Auckland.
Auckland Action Against Poverty Workshop – getting organised for 2012: Goals: Doing more work together on clarifying our plans for political action and campaigning this year, and on developing our ability to design and convey messages which accurately reflect our kaupapa, as well as helping us win over peoples’ hearts and minds. Who is invited? Anyone who supports our kaupapa (see attached), and is committed to being an active member of AAAP this year. The workshop is being provided by our friends Kotare Trust (education if you are able to make it – by 24 February, if possible. For those of you were at the earlier meeting, please note the slightly changed dates, due to Holly’s availability – we hope you are still able to take part. Cost for the workshop will be $0-$100 sliding scale. Payment is self-assessed based on what you can afford – if you can’t pay anything, that’s OK. However, any contribution you can make will be much appreciated, as it will help cover Kotare’s costs in offering the workshop. Holly Hammond is the director of Plan to Win, which helps individuals, groups and campaigns to develop the skills and clarity required to win change in the world. Holly brings twenty years of experience in social movements to her work as an educator, facilitator and mentor. For more information about Holly, see http://plantowin.net.au/people. She recently completed SmartMeme’s Advanced Story-based Practitioner’s Training in Oakland, California. This training will inform the second day of the workshop. See http://plantowin.net.au and http://smartmeme.org if you want to find out more. Morning teas and lunches provided.

Saturday, March 3, 7pm, 4/125 Grafton Rd, Auckland (By the corner of Grafton Bridge/Grafton Rd) Auckland
Militant Labour Forum: Hear participants tell their story – What workers learned in union fight against 65–day lockout by meat company. In mid-October around 100 workers at Canterbury Meat Packers Rangitikei were locked out after they rejected company take-back demands. For nine weeks they mounted a picket line outside the plant, winning solidarity from other working people and forcing the company to back down from some of its demands. This forum will feature CMP workers Amanda Chase and TeRangi Wroe talking about their experiences during the lockout. Suggested donation $5 waged, $2 unwaged. Includes supper. There will be fundraising to help cover travel costs for the speakers. Militant Labour Forums are held each week. Phone 369-1223 or email milauck

Sunday, March 4, 7pm, Academy Cinema, Central Library, Lorne St, Auckland City
Child Poverty Action Group presents an exclusive screening of ‘Inside Child Poverty’, the documentary that sparked a national conversation and a NZ on Air controversy. With special guest – Bryan Bruce. The documentary’s multi-award winning producer and presenter will talk about the documentary and CPAG’s Appeal. Cost: $20 per ticket to CPAG 38 9003 0066858 00 (code is your name and number of tickets) or by cheque to CPAG, PO Box 5611, Wellesley St, Auckland 1141. Send an email to admin to have an electronic ticket sent to you, or pick it up on the night. The evening marks the launch of Child Poverty Action Group’s 2012 Appeal Campaign: A fair go for all kiwi kids – stop discrimination against New Zealand’s poorest children. The aim is to raise $50,000 to allow CPAG to take its long standing human rights case to the Court of Appeal and beyond if necessary. Find out more at www.cpag.org.nz

Wednesday 7 March, 6.30-9pm, Rm 018, Clocktower bldg, 22 Princes St, Auckland
The Arab Spring , a seminar presented by Continuing Education at The University of Auckland. This seminar will explore the issues and impact of the Arab Spring and the challenges ahead for Egypt and other Arabic countries. Speakers: Mohsen al Attar, Deborah Manning, Treasa Dunworth. Full details: www.cce.auckland.ac.nz or ph: 0800 864 266

Thursday, March 8, 4.30-6.30pm, CTU, Level 7, Education House, 178 Willis St Wellington
Come and mark International Working Women’s Day March 8th at the CTU: Calling all Wellington women unionists, delegates and friends; Take some time out at the end of the day; Come and mark International Working Women’s Day. The focus of our event this year is on the ILO Convention passed in 2011 to recognise the importance of domestic work and to protect the rights of domestic workers in international law. A short introduction, video clips and a chance to meet and chat with light refreshments provided and drinks available. Koha appreciated. karinc (by Wednesday 5pm 7th March)

Thursday, March 8, 7pm, South Lounge, Invercargill Working Mens Club, 154 Esk Street, Invercargill
Canadian steelworkers bring smelter protest to New Zealand. Canadian members of the United Steelworkers are visiting New Zealand in March 2012 to gain support for their struggle against contracting out by their employer – Rio Tinto Alcan. For more info contact Trevor Hobbs (EPMU) on mobile 0275900061or Ray Fife (MUNZ) on mobile 0274475317

Friday, March 9, 12.30-1.30pm, Peaceful assembly at Rio Tinto’s NZ head office at the ASB Building, 2 Hunter Street, Wellington
Canadian steelworkers bring smelter protest to New Zealand. Canadian members of the United Steelworkers are visiting New Zealand in March 2012 to gain support for their struggle against contracting out by their employer – Rio Tinto Alcan. For more info contact Trevor Hobbs (EPMU) on mobile 0275900061or Ray Fife (MUNZ) on mobile 0274475317. For more info contact Paul Tolich (EPMU) on mobile 0275935595

Friday, March 9, 5.30pm, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn, Auckland
The Red Flag Social Club invites you to To celebrate International Women’s Day 2012 with special guest Eileen Brown – UnionAID NZ. If you ever feel powerless to improve the lot of women in developing countries come and hear our inspiring IWD speaker, Eileen Brown from Union AID NZ. UnionAID gives NZ workers the chance to make a big difference in the lives of workers overseas e.g. the Dalit workers of India, Burmese refugees and migrants in Thailand. Eileen will tell us about a recent visit to the Thai Burma border to visit the UnionAID project which provides occupational skills and labour rights training to Burmese migrant workers, mainly women, who have fled Burma for reasons of poverty and human right’s abuses. Come and show solidarity with women from all around the world by buying some of the lovely Burmese crafts or the book featuring recipes from India and South East Asia that Eileen will have with her. All the proceeds go directly to UnionAID projects. The Red Flag Social Club is brought to you by the Working Women’s Resource Centre. For further information contact Ros Hiini, Organiser, WWRC Phone wwrc

QUOTES OF THE WEEK

"There is a time when the operation of the machine becomes so odious, makes you so sick at heart, that you can’t take part; you can’t even passively take part, and you’ve got to put your bodies upon the gears and upon the wheels, upon the levers, upon all the apparatus, and you’ve got to make it stop. And you’ve got to indicate to the people who run it, to the people who own it, that unless you’re free, the machine will be prevented from working at all!" – Mario Savio – Sproul Hall, University of California, Berkeley on December 2, 1964.

"Our country is now geared to an arms economy which was bred in an artificially induced psychosis of war hysteria and nurtured upon an incessant propaganda of fear." – General Douglas MacArthur

"All the war-propaganda, all the screaming and lies and hatred, comes invariably from people who are not fighting." – George Orwell

"They sell us the president the same way
They sell us our clothes and our cars
They sell us every thing from youth to religion
The same time they sell us our wars"
Jackson Browne – Lives In The Balance – http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article11924.htm

"Human beings are not condemned, because of their biological constitution, to annihilate each other or to be at the mercy of a cruel, self-inflicted fate." – Albert Einstein

"The economic anarchy of capitalist society as it exists today is, in my opinion, the real source of the evil." – Albert Einstein

"Man can find meaning in life, short and perilous as it is, only through devoting himself to society" – Albert Einstein

"Never do anything against conscience even if the state demands it." – Albert Einstein

"I submit that an individual who breaks the law that conscience tells him is unjust and willingly accepts the penalty by staying in jail to arouse the conscience of the community over its injustice, is in reality expressing the very highest respect for law." – Martin Luther King, Jr.

STATS OF THE WEEK
Super PACs (Political Action Committee) in the United States are just getting started. How far can they go? One sign of our times: The $2.6 million PayPal billionaire Peter Thiel has so far invested in GOP White House hopeful Ron Paul equals just 0.2 percent of the value of Thiel’s stake in Facebook.

BEST ON THE WEB

NEW ZEALAND

NZCSS: Policy Watch http://christiansocialservices.blogspot.co.nz/2012/03/policy-watch.html

TV3: Welfare changes not about rushing people back to work – Key – Video http://tinyurl.com/8yfknxv

Mana: Where are the jobs? http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1202/S00312/where-are-the-jobs.htm

Government welfare onslaught begins http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1202/S00285/government-welfare-onslaught-begins.htm

On yesterday’s welfare reform announcements http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2012/02/28/gordon-campbell-on-yesterdays-welfare-reform-announcements/

Is this policy or just punishment http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10788649

Bennett’s a Bloody Hypocrite http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1202/S00321/bennetts-a-bloody-hypocrite.htm

Beneficiaries to Govt: Show us the jobs http://www.3news.co.nz/Beneficiaries-to-Govt-Show-us-the-jobs/tabid/1607/articleID/244546/Default.aspx

In-fighting at Auckland Council over hefty Occupy bill http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/in-fighting-auckland-council-over-hefty-occupy-bill-4742412/video?vid=4742427

Activists Vow to Continue Arctic Drill Ship Occupation http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1202/S00266/activists-vow-to-continue-arctic-drill-ship-occupation.htm

Remembering Nuclear Free and Independent Pacific Day – International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons Aotearoa New Zealand http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1203/S00010/remembering-nuclear-free-and-independent-pacific-day.htm

Sodastream Protest in Wellington http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1202/S00264/sodastream-protest-in-wellington.htm

Harawira says English and Ryall are liars http://news.tangatawhenua.com/archives/16370

Radio New Zealand interviews Venezuelanalysis: Chavez, oil, and communal councils http://venezuelanalysis.com/audio/6825

Housing New Zealand Reforms Hurting Those Most In Need http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1202/S00228/housing-new-zealand-reforms-hurting-those-most-in-need.htm

Risk of privatising youth employment services too high http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1202/S00260/risk-of-privatising-youth-employment-services-too-high.htm

Gordon Campbell: On Kiwirail’s current problems with its Chinese-built wagons http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2012/02/23/gordon-campbell-on-kiwirails-chinese-built-wagon-problems/

Campbell Jones: ‘That’s Science’ on bFM from Tuesday, on the media, the culture of opinion, and of course Paul Holmes and Alan Sugar: http://www.95bfm.com/assets/sm/204298/3/21-02Science.mp3

Lucy Lawless Occupies Arctic Drilling Ship http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1202/S00252/lucy-lawless-occupies-arctic-drilling-ship.htm

Lucy Lawless and co after release from police (Photos) http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1202/S00286/lucy-lawless-and-co-after-release-from-police-photos.htm

Sky City profits sky high: no need to subsidise conference centre http://www.greens.org.nz/press-releases/sky-city-profits-sky-high-no-need-subsidise-conference-centre?

SkyCity: Dirty deals done dirt cheap http://blog.greens.org.nz/?p=22666&

Parents have paid up ‘$1bn in school fees’ http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10788144

An inconvenient truth: We need protesters http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/opinion/6496431/An-inconvenient-truth-We-need-protesters

Tim Dare: Why we need public healthcare http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10788604

WORKRIGHTS NZ

Matt McCarten: Get in behind our Kiwi battlers on the picket lines http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10788025

Caregivers Supported in Demand for a Fair Deal http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1202/S00315/caregivers-supported-in-demand-for-a-fair-deal.htm

SFWU: Poverty pay makes vulnerable children and families http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1202/S00300/poverty-pay-makes-vulnerable-children-and-families.htm

Meatworkers fight for conditions http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/6503009/Meatworkers-fight-for-conditions

Talley’s Affco break down bargaining http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1202/S00967/talleys-affco-break-down-bargaining.htm

Thousands set for week of industrial action http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/6482943/Thousands-set-for-week-of-industrial-action

Lockout of Meat Workers Unfair and unnecessary http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1202/S00265/lockout-of-meat-workers-unfair-and-unnecessary.htm

Meat Workers Vote For Short Solidarity Strike http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1203/S00001/meat-workers-vote-for-short-solidarity-strike.htm

Government accused of encouraging employer militancy http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/99748/government-accused-of-encouraging-employer-militancy

Union calls for mediation ahead of indefinite lockout http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/union-calls-mediation-ahead-indefinite-lockout-4742757

Employer militancy is the new black http://blog.greens.org.nz/2012/02/28/employer-militancy-is-the-new-black/

MPs, residents join aged care workers’ strike http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/6504404/MPs-residents-join-aged-care-workers-strike

Aged-care workers preparing to strike http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10788247&ref=rss

TIME FOR ACTION IN OCEANIA http://www.sfwu.org.nz/news.asp?pageID=undefined

Slave Free Seas Calls for Minister to front up http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1202/S00253/slave-free-seas-calls-for-minister-to-front-up.htm

Whistleblower in hiding after ‘slavery’ storm http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/6481035/Whistleblower-in-hiding-after-slavery-storm

NZ ECONOMY

Bryan Gould: Austerity proven as wrong answer to recession http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10788648

Tough job market awaits beneficiaries http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10788893

More than 100 Economists Call for Trans-Pacific Trade Deal to Allow Capital Controls to Prevent Crises http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1202/S00972/economists-call-for-tpp-deal-to-allow-capital-controls.htm

Calls to sack Mike Moore http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/6483971/Calls-to-sack-Mike-Moore

Jane Kelsey On The Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement Part I Part 2

The latest issue of Policy Quarterly has two important academic PDF articles: The Effect on Household Income of Government Taxation and Expenditure in 1988, 1998, 2007 and 2010, and Evidence-based Evaluation: Working for Families.

State-Owned Enterprises Reform: A Wrong Turn for New Zealand http://www.testpattern.co.nz/columns/max-harris/state-owned-enterprises-reform-wrong-turn-new-zealand

Power of printing money By Bernard Hickey http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10788041

Call to Censure Mike Moore for Co-hosting TPP Lobbying Bash for Big Oil, Tobacco & PhRMA in Washington DC http://www.voxy.co.nz/politics/call-censure-mike-moore-tpp-lobbying-bash/5/115894

FEATURES

Brazil Takes the Lead In Trying to Prevent Another Senseless War by Mark Weisbrot http://www.cepr.net/index.php/op-eds-&-columns/op-eds-&-columns/brazil-takes-the-lead-in-trying-to-prevent-another-senseless-war

“I need to get in and get out fast” Marie Colvin (1956-2012) by FRANKLIN LAMB http://www.counterpunch.org/2012/02/24/marie-colvin-1956-2012/

ALBA Expands its Allies in the Caribbean (Part 1 of 2) by Kevin Edmonds https://nacla.org/blog/2012/2/16/alba-expands-its-allies-caribbean-part-1-2

On the looming “pre-emptive” war against Iran http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2012/02/22/gordon-campbell-on-the-looming-pre-emptive-war-on-iran/#more-1962

Wikileaks: The Global Intelligence Files – Stratfor emails http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1202/S00684/wikileaks-the-global-intelligence-files-stratfor-emails.htm

Hypnotized into an endless dirty war – America has decided it has the right to kill whoever it wants, whenever it wants. http://www.salon.com/2012/02/20/hypnotized_into_an_endless_dirty_war/singleton/

Women on the left: Constance Markievicz http://tinyurl.com/7smvs77

LAND, LABOUR & THE ENVIRONMENT

Global Extinction: Gradual Doom As Bad As Abrupt By National Science Foundation http://www.countercurrents.org/nsf240212.htm

Earth Is Losing Half A Trillion Tons Of Ice A Year NASA Press Release http://www.countercurrents.org/nasa230212.htm

Mass Extinction Of Species And Climate Change (PDF) By Andrew Glikson http://www.countercurrents.org/gliskson220212.pdf

WORLD ECONOMIC CRISIS

New Paper Argues Greece Should Consider Default and Exit From Euro – Looks at Greece’s Prospects With "Internal Devaluation" http://www.cepr.net/documents/publications/greece-2012-02.pdf

Economic shock treatment for the world http://rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/gerry-caplan/2012/02/economic-shock-treatment-world

Reports from the Economic Front by Martin Hart-Landsberg – The Importance of Theory http://media.lclark.edu/content/hart-landsberg/2012/02/28/the-importance-of-theory/

CULTURAL DISSENT

Inside Job – Must Watch Documentary – Narrated by Matt Damon, The first film to expose the shocking truth behind the economic crisis of 2008. Inside Job traces the rise of a rogue industry and unveils the corrosive relationships which have corrupted politics, regulation and academia. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article30635.htm

AFGHANISTAN

The final unraveling of Afghanistan? http://www.salon.com/2012/02/28/the_final_unraveling_of_afghanistan/

Counting the Dead in Afghanistan http://www.thenation.com/blog/166415/counting-dead-afghanistan?rel=emailNation

ARGENTINA

Is Privatization Behind the Argentine Train Disaster? http://weeklynewsupdate.blogspot.co.nz/2012/02/wnu-1119-is-privatization-behind.html

CANADA

Québec students strike over tuition hikes http://rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/behind-numbers/2012/02/qu%C3%A9bec-students-strike-over-tuition-hikes

COLOMBIA

Victory! Colombian Political Prisoner Liliany Obando to Be Freed on Thursday, March 1st, after 3 1/2 Years of Incarceration on False Evidence http://willamettereds.blogspot.co.nz/2012/02/victory-colombian-political-prisoner.html

CUBA

Cuba debates its socialist future http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/50155

GREECE

One third of Greeks support radical change via revolution http://tinyurl.com/779va3p

Greece: default or devastation – The only hope for the future of Greece lies in rejection of the Troika, a default on Greek terms and leaving the grossly oppressive structures of the euro argues James Meadway http://tinyurl.com/74v74ep

New Paper Argues Greece Should Consider Default and Exit From Euro https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2012/02/23-0

HAITI

Foreign-dominated political regime in Haiti is shaken by resignation of Prime Minister Conille http://rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/roger-annis/2012/02/foreign-dominated-political-regime-haiti-shaken-resignation-prime

INDIA

India: millions set to strike http://www.counterfire.org/index.php/articles/international/15573-100-million-will-strike-in-india

IRELAND

Constitution Halts Sheriff

LIBYA

New evidence casts doubt in Lockerbie case http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2012/02/201222618624894299.html

PALESTINE

Unsettled, Unlawful, Unresolved: Israeli Settlers In A Foreign Land By Graham Peebles http://www.countercurrents.org/peebles290212.htm

Peaceful Protest Can Free Palestine: By MUSTAFA BARGHOUTHI – If we do not soon achieve a genuinely independent Palestinian state, we will be forced to press instead for a single democratic state with equal rights and responsibilities for both Palestinians and Israelis. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article30634.htm

Adnan’s Victory By Uri Avnery http://original.antiwar.com/avnery/2012/02/24/adnans-victory/

SPAIN

People flood the streets in Labour Law protests http://tinyurl.com/6pz2s4f

UK

Ethical Capitalism? A response to David Cameron http://tinyurl.com/8x2hgym

VENEZUELA

New Poll Reveals Majority Support for Socialism in Venezuela http://venezuelanalysis.com/news/6814

Opposition’s little man ‘the candidate of imperialism’ http://venezuelatranslatingtherevolution.blogspot.com.au/2012/02/oppositions-little-man-candidate-of.html

OLDER ANNOUNCEMENTS

NICKY HAGER’S OTHER PEOPLE’S WARS HITS THE STAGE WELLINGTON APRIL 17-28
Other People’s Wars The stage play. Bats Theatre, Wellington, April 17-28. How do we get into Afghanistan? Why are we there? What happened the night Willie Apiata won his VC? Are NZ intelligence officers there on humanitarian purpose? And did we really keep out of Iraq? And can you believe ANYTHING Foreign Affairs and the Defence Forces say? In fact— are Foreign Affairs and the Defence Forces riddled with traitors working for a foreign power? Aided by Wikileaks and local Deep Throats, and some extraordinarily indiscreet material posted on Facebook, Nicky Hager’s Other People’s Wars drew alarming conclusions about the general nature of New Zealand defence policy—how it’s decided, and by whom. And now it’s on stage. As it should be. Besides the documenting of shifty departmental manoeuvres and cover-ups, there’s love, death, courage, pathos, raillery, bombast and—of course—farce; all the Shakespearean elements. The play ends with an Anzac Day ceremony and its premiere season in Wellington (April 17-28) is nicely timed to coincide with Anzac Day, April 25, the day we remember those who have given their lives for their government’s foreign policy. “Anyone familiar with Other People’s Wars will know more about New Zealand military and what it did in Afghanistan, Iraq and the Gulf than any politician in parliament.” – Nicky Hager.

PALESTINIAN CHRISTIAN LEADER TO VISIT NEW ZEALAND FEBRUARY-MARCH 2012
Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand is pleased to host the Secretary General of Caritas Jerusalem Claudette Habesch for a visit to New Zealand 24 February – 13 March 2012. Ms Habesch is available for media interviews. Caritas Jerusalem is the humanitarian and development organisation for the Catholic Church in the Holy Land, based in Jerusalem. It was founded in the aftermath of the Six-Day War in 1967, and Ms Habesch has led it since 1987. She has played a leading role in the Caritas Internationalis confederation of 168 Catholic agencies working for justice, peace and development. From 1999 to 2007 she was President of Caritas Middle-East and Northern Africa region (Caritas MONA) and Vice-President of Caritas Internationalis. A passionate defender of Palestinians’ rights and peace in the region, Ms Habesch is a member of the Committee for Christian Affairs of the Palestinian Authority (PA), and of the Islamic-Christian Commission funded by the PA to support Jerusalem and the Holy Sites. She has been active since 1992 in the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) and in the Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees. She also participates in the inter-religious activities of Rabbis for Human Rights. Ms Habesch was born in Jerusalem. At the age of 7, during the war of independence for Israel in 1948 (called the ‘nakba’ or catastrophe by Palestinians), her family was expelled from their home in Jerusalem. They could never enter the house again and never received compensation. Palestinian families continue to be evicted from their houses in East Jerusalem and the West Bank. In a recent Israeli newspaper Haaretz, Ms Habesch retells her story and how it has influenced her work defending Palestinian rights today. ‘I am prepared to forgive them, but I will never forget the years of suffering by the little girl of 7, in whose bed another child was sleeping and whose bicycle another child was riding… I recognize the right of the State of Israel to exist in 78 percent of the territories of Mandatory Palestine, but I do not recognise its right to expel Palestinians from their homes in East Jerusalem and put in Jews.’ Ms Habesch has three children, two sons and one daughter, and several grandchildren. She lives with her extended family in East Jerusalem. Claudette Habesch will be a guest of Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand for its Annual Lent Appeal (22 Feb – 6 April). She will be talking to parishes, church groups, social justice groups and schools. While her schedule is still being confirmed, recommended times for media interviews are below. Pre-visit interviews by phone may also be possible to arrange. For more information and to arrange an interview, contact: Martin de Jong, Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand, 04 496 1782 or 021 909 688. Additional Info:Watch our recently released video The Holy Land: Hearts of Hope (15 mins) on Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand health care partnership with Caritas Jerusalem in the context of the Holy Land today. More about our work with Caritas Jerusalem here.

VII "MAY DAY" INTERNATIONAL BRIGADE FROM APRIL 22ND, TO MAY 6TH, 2012
Dear friend: Receive a cordial and warm greeting on behalf of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples that affectionately summons you to participate in the sixth edition of the International Brigade of Volunteer Work and Solidarity with Cuba on the occasion of the International May Day. As in previous editions, it will be integrated by friends from all continents. Brigade’s aim is to provide a wider understanding of Cuban reality as well as carrying out some voluntary work sessions, as a support to agricultural development and productive sphere in our country. Program includes visits to historical, economical, cultural and social places, not only in Havana but also in other provinces, lectures about national issues as well as meetings with representatives of Cuban organizations. Staying includes 10 nights in the International Camp Julio Antonio Mella (CIJAM) located in the municipality of Caimito, 45 km from Havana City and 4 nights in tourist facilities in Pinar del Rio province. It will cost 295.00 CUC which includes accommodation in shared rooms for up to 6 people in CIJAM, three meals daily, transfer in-out and transportation to all program activities. Agricultural work sessions will be carried out in areas near CIJAM. The camp, founded in 1972, has appropriate conditions for community life and for satisfying needs of friends who visit us from around the world. Registrations are open for those interested until March 30th, 2012. Confirmations of participation as well as information about date, flight number and airline to which you are scheduled to arrive and departure from Cuba, should be sent to asia.norte and director.dao Looking forward your enthusiastic participation with our people in this proletarian celebration of the May Day. See you then! Asia and Pacific Division, Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples.

KMU INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY FAIR, PHILIPPINES, APRIL 24-MAY 5, 2012
We are inviting you and your organization to participate in the 28thInternational Solidarity Affair (ISA) hosted by the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) from April 24 to May 5, 2012 in Manila, Philippines. http://www.labournetaustria.at/aktion223.htm

CALL FOR THE WORLD SOCIAL FORUM FREE PALESTINE, NOV. 2012 IN BRAZIL
http://www.bdsmovement.net/2012/call-for-the-world-social-forum-free-palestine-nov-2012-in-brazil-8603
Occupied Palestine is part of every free heartbeat in this world and her cause continues to inspire solidarity across the globe. The World Social Forum Free Palestine is an expression of the human instinct to unite for justice and freedom and an echo of the World Social Forum’s opposition to neo-liberal hegemony, colonialism, and racism through struggles for social, political and economic alternatives to promote justice, equality, and the sovereignty of peoples. The WSF Free Palestine will be a global encounter of broad-based popular and civil society mobilizations from around the world. It aims to: 1. Show the strength of solidarity with the calls of the Palestinian people and the diversity of initiatives and actions aimed at promoting justice and peace in the region. 2. Create effective actions to ensure Palestinian self-determination, the creation of a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital, and the fulfillment of human rights and international law, by: a) Ending Israeli occupation and colonization of all Arab lands and dismantling the Wall; b) Ensuring the fundamental rights of the Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel to full equality; and c) Implementing, protecting, and promoting the rights of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes and properties as stipulated in UN resolution 194. 3. Be a space for discussion, exchange of ideas, strategizing, and planning in order to improve the structure of solidarity. Exactly sixty-five years after Brazil presided over the UN General Assembly session that agreed upon the partition of Palestine, Brazil will host a different type of global forum: an historic opportunity for people from all over the world to stand up where governments have failed. The world’s people will come together to discuss new visions and effective actions to contribute to justice and peace in the region. We call on all organizations, movements, networks, and unions across the globe to join the WSF Free Palestine in November 2012 in Porto Alegre. We ask you to join the International Committee for the WSF Free Palestine, we will establish as soon as possible. Participation in this forum will structurally strengthen solidarity with Palestine, promote action to implement Palestinian’s legitimate rights, and hold Israel and its allies accountable to international law. Together we can raise global solidarity with Palestine to a new level. Palestinian Preparatory Committee for the WSF Free Palestine 2012. Secretariat members: • PNGO – Palestinian NGO Network; • Stop the Wall – Palestinian grassroots Anti-Apartheid Wall Campaign; • OPGAI – Occupied Palestinian Golan Heights Advocacy Initiative; • Alternatives represented by: Alternative Information Center, Teacher Creativity Center; • Ittijah; • General Union of Palestinian women. Coordination office: PNGO – Palestinian NGO Network, Tel: +970 2 2975320/1, Fax: samahd

FREE SOMYOT CAMPAIGN
Dear friends, Please find an update from the international campaign to free labour and political activist Somyot Pruksakasemsuk from detention in Thailand. Somyot has been charged with the crime of “Lese Majeste” which means criticising the King. This “crime” has a maximum sentence of 30 years! I have known Somyot as a labour activist for over 20 years and he is a personal friend. I have stayed with him and his family on many of my visits to Thailand. I was able to visit Somyot in pre trial detention earlier this year and it was heart wrenching to see him in custody. As you can see below, Somyot’s son Tai has begun a hunger strike this week to bring attention to the plight of his father. I ask you to take a few minutes to go to the website below and sign up to the letter that you see printed below seeking at least the right of Somyot to be released on bail while he faces the charges. There is more information on this website and also on the other sites listed below. http://www.cleanclothes.org/urgent-actions/somyot-trial Thanks, Robert Reid, General Secretary, First Union.

PARIHAKA DOCUMENTARY – FUNDING NEEDED
A documentary has been made about Parihaka by film makers Paora Joseph, Gaylene Preston, Janine Martin, Tracey Egerton, and people of Parihaka called ‘Tatarakihi. Children of the Prophets’. There is a need for support to complete the project. For more info go to www.pozible.com and search under ‘Parihaka’ to find the trailer and story behind it. Please circulate among your networks.

8/9TH JUNE AUCKLAND PEACE CITY PUBLIC LAUNCH & NUCLEAR FREE NZ EVENT AOTEA SQUARE
Calling all people who support the ideals of peace, justice and a nuclear free world. ADVANCE NOTIFICATION –put into your diaries NOW, circulate among group networks to include in your calendar of major events, newsletters etc. Auckland Peace City Public Launch ~ Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of New Zealand Nuclear Free Zone and Disarmament Legislation of 1987. Auckland Aotea Square & Centre – Friday 8th June 12:00-1:00pm. Mayor’s official Peace City launch and Opening of Peace Exhibitions celebrating New Zealand’s Nuclear Free Zone. (on show inside Aotea Centre for 3 weeks). Aotea Square – Saturday 9th June 1:00-6:00pm – multicultural PEACE celebration and performance event –music, dance, poetry, art, food stalls, children’s activities. ‘Pohutukawa for Peace Tree Planting Ceremony’ with plaque.