austerity measures

Amid signs of slump, Australian PM reiterates “tough” budget pledge

repreinted from the WSWS By Mike Head 16 April 2012

Despite gathering signs of downturn and social distress throughout much of the Australian economy, Prime Minister Julia Gillard last week emphasised her Labor government’s commitment to deliver a 2012-13 budget surplus in order to satisfy the global financial markets.

Geography: 

French youth and workers in revolt

The French workers and students have taken to the streets in a wave of militant demonstrations and strikes to try to halt the passing of a bill in the French Parliament to cut pensions. Three million workers have marched and struck in protest, but since oil workers and truck drivers joined the strike the crisis has escalated. Much of France is now running short on fuel. Inspiringly tens of thousands of high school students have joined the protests blockading and shutting their own schools and clashing violently with police.