M1 goes rural

BY SUE BULL

GEELONG — People in rural and regional Victoria, hit hard by policies such as privatisation and deregulation, will get a chance to show their anger at corporate globalisation, thanks to plans by local activists to organise a united contingent to attend the May 1 blockade of Melbourne's stock exchange.

The people of Geelong are certainly no strangers to the impact of corporate operations: Shell's oil refinery is a major polluter of Corio Bay, while Ford has recently announced that it will lay off some 300 workers from its Geelong factory.

Rural and regional-based M1 activists have started to meet regularly to coordinate plans, which include approaches to local farmers. Members from the Shearers and Rural Workers Union report that small family farmers are really suffering, as are agricultural labourers whose working conditions and pay have hit rock-bottom.

The activists hope that their campaign will help turn many people in rural and regional Victoria to the left, rather than to Pauline Hanson's One Nation.

They are planning a half-day seminar on the regional impacts of globalisation on April 28 in Geelong, as well as calling for protesters from country Victoria to meet at Spencer Street Station at 8am on May 1 for a united march to the blockade site.

If anyone would like more information on M1 meetings, the seminar or blockade, they can ring the Resistance Centre in Geelong on 03 5222 6900.

From GLW issue 442