Socialists run in Brisbane

Socialists run in Brisbane

By Bill Mason

BRISBANE — The Democratic Socialist campaign confirmed on June 22 it would run 22-year-old environmental and social justice activist Zanny Begg for the seat of Brisbane Central in the July 15 Queensland elections.

Begg, who has been a key organiser in Brisbane of the anti-woodchipping campaign and the movement against French nuclear tests this year, is currently city organiser of the socialist youth organisation Resistance.

"Our campaign will highlight the issues the major parties ignore or push under the carpet", Begg said in a statement released on June 23.

"Repeal all anti-abortion laws, for a woman's right to choose; legalise marijuana; stop the vicious law-and-order auction between Labor and the Coalition; support the Mt Isa workers in their struggle for industrial justice; tackle unemployment with a major program of public works; end cutbacks and creeping privatisation of the state public sector; overhaul the public health system, with a massive increase in funding to hospitals; reinstate stamp duty on share-trading and other business taxes; cut taxes and charges on the poor and working people.

"The Democratic Socialists call for a new kind of government, one based on working people, not the wealthy and big business. Our main slogan is: People before profits."

In the 1992 state election, the previous Democratic Socialist candidate for Brisbane Central, Susan Price, gained around 9% of the vote.

For more information about the Democratic Socialist Campaign contact 29 Terrace Street, New Farm 4005, or phone (07)254 0565.

From GLW issue 192