Yasmine Johnson
In the wave of anti-colonial struggles that swept the world after WW2 Indonesia declared independence from the Dutch, and Australian workers answered their call for solidarity. The Australian ruling class were more than happy to harbour Dutch military supplies and personnel bound for Indonesia. In stark contrast to that, unionised Australian workers had deeply ingrained anti-colonial attitudes and notions of solidarity, which meant that they jumped into action to disrupt and sabotage the colonial army. This session will explore the history of the trade union boycotts and mutinies which crippled Dutch military efforts to re-occupy Indonesia.