By Alex Bainbridge
HOBART — The Democratic Socialists will stand Jenny Forward and Mathew Munro as candidates in the seat of Denison in the coming state election. They are running on the slogan of building a "real opposition" to economic rationalism in all its forms.
"Progressives in parliament must be uncompromising opponents of the big business parties policies", Munro said. "This can't be done by seeking compromises with the economic rationalism of Liberal and Labor."
"None of the current parliamentarians can honestly claim to be a consistent opponent of economic rationalism", he said.
Forward is a sole parent and has been active in progressive campaigns for decades. She has been a central organiser of International Women's Day activities for years and has been active in Latin American solidarity campaigns. She has been a member of the Democratic Socialist Party for 10 years.
Munro is an economics student at the University of Tasmania. He has been active in students' rights issues, the campaign against the Jabiluka uranium mine and anti-racist campaigns. Munro is a leading member of the socialist youth organisation Resistance and is a member of the Democratic Socialist Party.
The ALP announced its candidates on July 24, described by Hobart's Mercury as "sporting identities, union officials and local government representatives". The Greens have announced a nine-person team to contest local government elections (also to be held in August) and will be announcing their state election candidates this week.