Socialists celebrate electoral registration

BY KARL MILLER

MELBOURNE — On November 2, the Socialist Alliance held a very successful dinner. Around 110 people filled the Flemington Community Centre to celebrate achieving electoral registration in Victoria.

Every party that was affiliated to the alliance was well represented. Socialist Alliance's record of solidarity with trade unionists' struggles was reciprocated by members of Workers First group within the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union, who filled two tables.

Brigitte Ellery, alliance candidate in the seat of Lara in the November 30 Victorian election, spoke about the issues that face workers in the Geelong area.

Justine Kamprad, alliance candidate for Footscray, told the guests that the Socialist Alliance is using the state election campaign "to highlight the plight of refugees on temporary protection visas" and to demand the closure of refugee detention centres. Money spent on these could diverted schools and creating more jobs.

Judy McVey, Socialist Alliance candidate for Brunswick, spoke about the importance of running an explicitly socialist campaign. Northcote candidate Jackie Lynch gave a rousing speech in which she declared: "The Socialist Alliance exists because the working people of Australia shouldn't be sent overseas to kill the working people of Iraq."

Chris Cain, a trade union militant and alliance member visiting from Western Australia, emphasised that "working-class people need a party" willing to challenge capitalist rule.

In remembrance of long-time socialist and feminist Delia Maxwell, who recently died of cancer, participants stood and sang the "Internationale".

The night finished with the band Chameleon Vortex. Around $1800 was raised.

From Green Left Weekly, November 20, 2002.

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From GLW issue 517