Refugee activist stands for parliament

BY STEVE CILIA

MELBOURNE — The September 16 meeting of the Socialist Alliance's
Melbourne branch preselected long-term anti-racist campaigner Arun Pradhan
as its candidate for the seat of Melbourne in the next state election.

Pradhan has been an active socialist for nearly 10 years, during which
time he has helped initiate and build grassroots anti-racist campaigns
in four states. He stood on the “Racism No” ticket in the 1996 Western
Australian state elections, alongside prominent Aboriginal activist Yaluritja
(Clarrie Isaacs).

Pradhan is currently on the coordinating committee of the Refugee Action
Collective (Victoria). He will campaign on a platform of supporting justice
for refugees, fighting against attacks on unions and reversing privatisation
of public assets. He will also campaign on local issues, such as stopping
the destruction of parkland for the Commonwealth Games village.

The central Melbourne branch of the Socialist Alliance meets monthly
and welcomes new members to contribute campaign suggestions. Upcoming events
include a public forum on the impending war on Iraq on October 2 at 7pm.
It will be held at level 5, 407 Swanston Street in the city. For more information,
or to discuss the campaign issues, phone Arun on (03) 9639 8622 or 0438
244 438.

From Green Left Weekly, September 25, 2002.

Visit the Green Left Weekly
home page. 

From GLW issue 510