By Bill Mason
BRISBANE — "The future of the ALP and the unions" was the opening topic for the inaugural Politics at the Club forum, held at the Paddington Workers' Club on April 24.
Guest speakers were Senator Kim Carr, ALP Victoria, a convener of the National Left, and George Campbell, national secretary of the metal union and ALP junior vice-president.
Carr asserted the "need to reunite the Labor umbrella. We have burnt too many bridges", he said. He admitted that Labor had lost the youth vote, and had become separated from the environment and social movements.
George Campbell called for an attempt by the ALP to "redefine the class issues we are fighting for", but also stated that the ALP-ACTU Accord was "fundamental in giving us 13 years of Labor government".
Discussion focused on issues of "economic rationalism" and questions about the ALP's ability to change its right-wing course.
The club plans to hold regular forums on a variety of political issues in future. Phone (07) 3217 5777 for more information.