Socialists do well in Brisbane election

By Bill Mason

BRISBANE -- "The vote of more than 6% for Democratic Socialist candidates in the Brisbane City Council election on March 15 shows that a sizeable number of people are beginning to look for radical, progressive solutions to the urban crisis we face", Coral Wynter, Democratic Socialist candidate for Dutton Park ward, told Green left Weekly.

At the close of counting on election night, Wynter had gained 6.4% of the vote. Kathy Newnam, the socialist candidate in Central ward, won 6.6%. Among other progressive candidates, the Greens' Richard received 7.3% in Central, while environmental independent Murray Swan gained 4.3% in Dutton Park.

"The support for the Democratic Socialist candidates was a very conscious vote for a socialist alternative to the pro-business platforms of the major parties, as indicated by our campaign theme of `Putting People before Profit'", Wynter said.

"Our polling booth workers report strong interest in our campaign from young voters especially", Newnam said. "The campaign was very important for providing a platform for progressive policies around a program of public works to create real jobs, protection of the environment, improved public transport, low-cost housing and genuine community control of council."

ALP Mayor Jim Soorley swept the mayoral poll with 59% to the Liberals' 36.6%. Across individual wards, Labor gained 54.2% of the vote, compared to the Liberals' 42.4% -- a 7% swing to Labor from three years ago and a massive turnaround from the hiding the ALP received in urban Brisbane in the last federal election.

Labor will have a majority on the council of at least 16 to 10. The result will be a shock to Premier Rob Borbidge and the Coalition state government, which will now be very wary of calling an early state poll.

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