Industrial Workers of the World

Politics has failed -- time for civil disobedience. With scientists predicting runaway climate change unless we take drastic action in the next five years, and the manifest failure of our democratic system to respond adequately to the overwhelming threat posed to our future, it is legitimate to step outside the usual boundaries of protest. clive hamilton

Approximately five hundred people took part in the historic action at the Hazelwood coal power station. 22 people managed to get themselves arrested while attempting to slap a 'Community Decommission Order' on Hazelwood. The feeling throughout the day was fantastic and upbeat, despite a complete over reaction by the Brumby government in its deployment of police force. Over the weekend the police helicopter overflew the campers throughout Saturday night and during speakers on Sunday, mounted police, police in speed boats and jetskis, police on dirt bikes as well as massive numbers of police on foot. http://www.switchoffhazelwood.org/

an overview of the successful action on indymedia: http://indymedia.org.au/2009/09/09/switch-off-hazelwood-coverage

view the successful action on flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/photos/hazelwood09/

There is planned to be a protest about the closure of Australia's largest planned solar plant near Mildura with loss of 100 jobs this Friday lunchtime. Solar Systems was placed under voluntary administration on 7 September 2009 placing the Midlura heliostat project and the jobs of two-thirds of the workforce at risk. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_Systems_(company)

Solar Systems Pty Ltd 45 Grosvenor Street Abbotsford VIC 3067 Telephone: +61 3 9413 8000 Email general enquiries: info@solarsystems.com.au

related: Hong Kong-based China Light & Power wrote down its 20 per cent equity stake in the company. CLP also owns TRUenergy http://www.theage.com.au/environment/shadow-cast-over-solar-plant-future-20090906-fcuy.html

Solar Systems has effectively moved part of its head office to Dallas following the appointment of the Dallas-based Mike Childers as CEO. It is possibly destined, like the solar thermal developer Ausra, to move its headquarters to the US in pursuit of opportunities in a market that is growing rapidly because of strong federal and state subsidies. http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/business/story/0,28124,26034789-5018910,00.html

also 3CR broadcaster Iain McIntyre's tour Sites of resistance is a walk around the sites of Melbourne's fiercest anti-eviction battles in the 1930s depression. Walking tour: Sunday 11 Oct, 1 - 2.30pm, Brunswick Town Hall. http://peoplestour.net/ http://www.3cr.org.au/