Cooper slammed on 'dole threat'

Cooper slammed on 'dole threat'

By Bill Mason

BRISBANE — In a joint statement, Democratic Socialist candidates for the March 26 Brisbane City Council election Ana Kailis and Susan Price have slammed a proposal by state opposition spokesperson on police matters Russell Cooper that food vouchers should be part of social security payments for "persistent troublemakers" who waste their money on alcohol.

Kailis is standing for the Dutton Park ward, while Price is running for Central.

Cooper's comments follow police claims that there was a link between fortnightly pension cheques and recent street brawls in Brisbane and Mareeba, involving mainly Aboriginal youth.

Cooper said on March 11 that, "Society should not have to tolerate a situation where such violence occurs on a regular basis, leaving police injured or hospitalised.

"An obvious response is to reduce the ability of troublemakers, regardless of race, to buy alcohol."

Kailis and Price condemned Cooper's remarks as "racist and totalitarian".

"Instead of supporting a comprehensive solution to Aboriginal unemployment, homelessness and police harassment, Cooper and his ilk seek new ways to penalise them.", Kailis and Price said.

Anyone wishing to assist with the Democratic Socialist campaign for March 26, please phone (07) 254 0565.

From GLW issue 135