BY STEVE O'BRIEN

NEWCASTLE — The Socialist Alliance has decided not to stand against Progressive Labor Party member Harry Williams in the seat of Newcastle in the March 22 NSW election. The PLP failed to gain state electoral registration and Williams will be running as an independent.

In the interests of left unity, and after discussion with the PLP, the Socialist Alliance has decided to concentrate on the neighbouring seat of Charlestown. Prominent refugees' rights activist Kathy Newnam will be the alliance candidate.

Charlestown was the scene of a bitter ALP preselection battle. Matthew Morris, a Lake Macquarie councillor and son of former ALP federal member Peter Morris, eventually won a head office-imposed ballot. This procedure denied many rank and file ALP members a vote. The Greens will run Keith Parsons, a former ALP Newcastle councillor.

At the Socialist Alliance's campaign on February 22, Newnam said that she would help make the NSW election a referendum on the war. She urged all opposed to the looming war on Iraq to write “No war — bring the troops home” on their ballot papers.

From Green Left Weekly, March 5, 2003.
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