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Byron Shire
March 29, 2024

Match march with action

Latest News

Blue skies for Bluesfest day 1

If yesterday at Bluesfest was anything to go by, it's going to be an incredible event and with the weather holding, (so far) the Easter weekend's future is looking bright.

Other News

Making Lismore Showground accessible to everyone

The Lismore Showground isn’t just a critical local community asset that plays host to a number of major events each year, but has also been used as an evacuation centre during past natural disasters in the region. 

Urgent appeal

At last Thursday’s Byron Council meeting a long and dedicated campaign to save rail tracks and restore trains in...

Peter Garrett gives Bluesfest the nod

If I say the words ‘US Forces give the nod’, I can pretty much guarantee that you will hear the unmistakable voice of Peter Garrett ringing in your ears. Your head may even start to bob up and down a bit. 

Caper Byron Bay Food & Culture Festival

Caper Byron Bay Food & Culture Festival returns to Byron Bay in May, and this year ‘locals favourite’ pub...

A health check as Medicare turns 40

If you’ll forgive the earnest tone, I’d like to propose a toast. To a friend who’s almost always there when you need them most. To a system that aims to treat people fairly and respectfully. 

Saddle Road group home DA decision this week

Plans to build Byron Shire’s first permanent group home for women and children in housing stress are moving ahead, with the development application for the project coming before Council this week.

Byron’s March in March rally sent a clear and strong message to the Abbott federal conservative government – it opposes its social, economic, industrial and environmental policies. Likewise some placards also reminded the rally that the NSW O’Farrell government conservative agenda is similar and must be opposed. Minister Don Page please take note, you’re on notice, and being scrutinised.

These  conservative governments are destroying  and winding back many of the social conditions and reforms that have been part of Australian way of life for decades, won largely by progressive forces for the advancement of, to name a few, working people in industrial relations, women’s rights, environmental laws and protection against rampant development and exploitation.

Today many people are joining the dots, and seeing these governments for what they really are, handmaidens to big business and corporate power. These entities are chaffing at the bit to unleash their conservative, anti-union, and anti-environment agenda on the Australian public, all under the guise of ‘jobs’ (casualisation, under employment…) and economic growth. There should be no doubt that this populist messaging is a distraction for what the real consequences are as a result of the neo liberal economic policies – rising financial inequality and poverty amongst Australians, further degrading and destruction of the environment for short-term profit, at the expense of sustainable industries and quality of life for people and the environment.

The March saw a coalescing of ordinary people very concerned about the future, and the need to highlight what these governments are all about. While letting some steam off might be good therapy for some, it needs to be matched with some concrete political action with more people mobilising to fight these moribund political ideologies and reactionary values.

Boyd Kellner, Newrybar


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