Campaign against privatisation
By Maurice Sibelle
BRISBANE — A July 13 meeting of activists from trade unions and community groups decided to launch a campaign against the federal and state government's plans to privatise parts of the public sector.
The meeting was attended by representatives of the Maritime Workers Union and the Miscellaneous Workers Union and Communications Workers Union. Former Senator George Georges and former ALP state president Ian Mclean also attended the meeting, which agreed to protest in Brisbane's King George Square for August 4; participants also decided to contact their respective organisations to try to make the action national.
"Everyone should have the right to basic public services such as a telephone, electricity and postage. Privatisation would make that right conditional on profitability", said Ian Mclean.
The meeting agreed that the fight against privatisation would not be limited to the Australian National Line and Federal Airports Corporation.