Democrats no alternative

August 13, 1998
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Democrats no alternative

By Ben Reid

MELBOURNE — Labor Party members and some media commentators are reporting that the Northcote by-election on August 15 will result in a high vote for One Nation. The by-election is taking place to allow high profile Labor recruit Mary Delahunty to enter state parliament. Delahunty was imposed on the local ALP branch as its candidate by state Labor leader John Brumby's right-wing faction.

The by-election is not being contested by the Liberal Party. Liberal Premier Jeff Kennett feared that a swing against his party could add to his government's unpopularity.

In this context, the Australian Democrats' candidate, Ken Saunders, has received a deluge of publicity. Saunders, an Aboriginal activist, was initially to run for the Victorian Greens. The Democrats are using the candidacy to try to salvage their "progressive" image, tarnished by their support for the Howard government's Workplace Relations Act.

Saunders' progressive credentials have not stopped right-wing figures from endorsing him. Kennett called for a vote for the Democrats, second preference to Labor, and One Nation last. The Age is publicising Saunders' campaign and One Nation is giving its number two preference to the Democrats.

Democratic Socialist candidate and former spokesperson for the Campaign Against Racism Maurice Sibelle told Green Left his supporters would not be endorsing Saunders. "While more Kooris should be elected to parliament", he said, "Saunders decision to run for the Democrats is a mistake. The Democrats have shown they cannot be trusted in parliament, where they have supported key elements of the Howard government's reactionary agenda.

"When deciding who to support, progressive people have to look at the party the candidates represent, not the individual. The big business media, Kennett and even One Nation have no qualms about supporting the Democrats because that party is a 'safe' alternative — it is not concerned with organising opposition outside of parliament."

Sibelle said that the Democratic Socialists are contesting Northcote because a real opposition to One Nation's racism and the Kennett and Howard government's attacks on working people, migrants and Aborigines must be built.

"Such an alternative cannot just put more bums on parliamentary seats, but must campaign all the time to build movements to fight these attacks. That is why our campaign in Northcote has sought to mobilise local people to oppose One Nation and racism with street rallies and other events."

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