....The rally wrapped up with some political satire. Yes, the John Howard Ladies Auxiliary Fan Club who we came to love from the last election campaign, has been reborn as the Kevin Rudd Char Ladies Corporation, which provided some lighter moments with some satirical comment. Lady Hazelwood and Lady Lou Yang explained exactly what the CPRS is all about.

The ALP stands for 'Also Loves Polluters' or the 'Arctic Loss Program'. The CPRS stands for 'Continue Polluting Regardless Scheme' or the 'Carbon Pollution Rewards Scam' One of the ditty's they sung to the crowd: Old King Cole was a merry old soul and a captain of industry He made a packet in the mining racket and bought up the ALP And they demonstrated a new fashion use for Clean Coal. 100% organic they assured us. http://indymedia.org.au/2009/11/25/polluters-subsidised-under-emissions-trading-with-households-footing-the-bill

VIDEO # 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCGrpXzbSD0

VIDEO # 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78FNRTWdS0g&feature=related

see photos http://www.flickr.com/photos/takver/sets/72157622872521016/

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

Rally in support of striking Hazelwood workers Date and Time: Fri, 31/07/2009 - 12:00pm - 1:30pm Location: International Power, Rialto Tower, 525 Collins st Melbourne Contact Name: Dave Contact Phone: 0412 484 094

Emergency Services Officers at Morwell's Hazelwood power station have been striking for almost 4 months, demanding better pay and conditions on par with their follow workers at Yallourn and Loy Yang power plants, increased numbers and proper safety training. ESOs take on responsibilities in situations of fires, leakages, equipment failures and all other safety risks in the mine and the power plant. Yet their base rate of pay is just $19.32 per hour, only slightly above minimum wage. While the ESOs have been on strike, International Power have tried to distance themselves from the dispute. Yet they are fitting the bill for scab labourers who are not adequately trained for the work.

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support striking workers at Hazelwood - Monday 27th July

From: marabonacci@gmail.com

HI All Please come and support Hazelwood workers on strike. It has been going since April and looks like it will go for quite a while longer.

When: Monday 27th July

Where: Meet at FoE, 312 Smith St Collingwood for arrival at Hazelwood at about 10am. Plan to be back in sunny melbourne by 5pm

Please let me know by email or phone 0422 229 970 if you plan to come. Once I have an idea of numbers I will either sort a mini bus or car pooling - please advise if you have a car and if you can give people lifts if we don't wnd up getting a bus. Please forward to your networks. Below is an article from the Latrobe Valley Express about the strike for your info. cheers Mara

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Latrobe Valley Express Station workers strike BY ADAM IPSEN 27/04/2009 1:45:00 PM