Jim McIlroy, Brisbane
The Socialist Alliance laid a firm foundation for the future with a strong showing in the Queensland state election on February 7. In the most recent figures available, Inala candidate Adrian Skerritt received 598 votes (around 3.1%), South Brisbane candidate Lynda Hansen received 585 votes (2.9%), and Brisbane Central candidate Coral Wynter 323 (1.6%).
The Greens second-highest vote was in South Brisbane, where they received 20%. In Brisbane Central they won 12% and in Inala, 5.5%.
According to Elizabeth Stewart, Socialist Alliance campaign coordinator in Inala, "The campaign involved door-knocking hundreds of houses. Each home in the electorate received a Socialist Alliance leaflet in the letterbox; a large chunk of the area had already received SA material last year. Local Aboriginal elders supported the campaign, particularly given our emphasis on returning the stolen wages.
"Another aspect of the campaign was a focus on the sell-off of public housing by the state government. Local housing activists assisted the campaign. Adrian was interviewed in the three local papers, 4BC and Murri Radio.
"It was clear what our demands were; we focused on two main issues that we knew were important for residents in the area. Another strength was that our candidate is known to many in the community and that we were able to build on connections made through the local peace group."
In South Brisbane, the local Westender newspaper noted in a front-page editorial, "Lynda Hansen of the Socialist Alliance is keeping the Red Flag flying for the true believers by mounting a campaign based on traditional, socialist values ... my sympathies lie with Lynda and the unsullied, pure message of the Socialist Alliance."
Around 10,000 households in south and central Brisbane recieved "For the millions, not the millionaires!" leaflets. Voters also got information on the March 20 anti-war mobilisation from Socialist Alliance activists.
While a small beginning, the 1500 votes cast for the Socialist Alliance over three seats is a base from which further advances can be made beyond polling day in these localities. These figures are generally higher than previous votes for avowedly socialist candidates.
This was the first Queensland state election the alliance had stood in and the campaign was its biggest so far in Queensland. It is hoped that by the time of the next election, the Socialist Alliance can negotiate Queensland's draconian electoral laws and field candidates as a locally registered political party.
[For more information on the Socialist Alliance in Queensland, phone (07) 3831 2644, email < brisbane@socialist-A HREF="mailto:alliance.org"><alliance.org> or visit <http://www.socialist-alliance.org>.]
From Green Left Weekly, February 18, 2004.
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