PERTH — The Socialist Alliance has announced that it will be running six candidates in the WA state elections, scheduled for February 26.
Ian Jamieson and Sam Wainwright, two Fremantle wharfies, are running for the Socialist Alliance in the South Metropolitan region. Nikki Ulasowski and Don Cowan will be running in the North Metropolitan region, and Annolies Truman and Emma Clancy in the East Metropolitan region.
The alliance has five main platform points: End WA support for the US war machine; Fix workers' compensation; No privatisation of our coastline; Proper funding for our schools, hospitals and public transport; and Hands off our unions.
For more information about the campaign, or to help out, phone (08) 9218 9608 or email < perth@socialist-A HREF="mailto:alliance.org"><alliance.org>
Chris Latham, Perth
Hubbard to quit as VTHC secretary
MELBOURNE — On January 28, Leigh Hubbard surprised many when he announced that he will resign as Victorian Trades Hall Council secretary on April 28, after holding the post for 10 years.
As VTHC secretary, Hubbard led big union protests against the Workplace Relations Bill, cuts to Workcover and the Howard government's second-wave industrial relations legislation. He also played an important role in working with key unions in building cross-union solidarity with the wharfies in 1998.
Under Hubbard's leadership, the VTHC initiated several community coalitions around important social issues such as protesting the overtly racist politics of Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party, support for the East Timorese national independence struggle in 1999, and the initiation of the Victorian Peace Network.
Known contenders for the post include Trades Hall building unions convenor Brian Boyd, Australian Education Union federal secretary Rob Durbridge, and former Australian Services Union state secretary Martin Foley, who is currently chief of staff for a Labor MP.
Sue Bolton
Save the Newcastle rail line!
NEWCASTLE — Since the NSW government decided in late December to close the Newcastle train line from Broadmeadow station, residents have continued to fight the proposal.
Currently, the rail line goes direct into the city of Newcastle, running alongside Newcastle foreshore, land in high demand by corporate developers. The state member for Newcastle Bryce Gaudry is opposed to the sale, but Labor Premier Bob Carr and Newcastle's lord mayor, John Tate, have been pushing the plan, which proposes to replace the line with buses.
On January 26, thousands of residents gathered at Newcastle Station to tie placards, ribbons, wreaths and flowers on the fence to show their opposition to the sale. By the end of the day, the fence was covered with an enormous wreath made up of the individual contributions. The Save Our Rail collective has collected more than 3000 signatures petitioning the state government to reverse its decision.
The next action will be held at the bus station opposite Newcastle Train Station at 2.30pm on Wednesday February 23. The protest is designed to highlight that the buses will leave passengers with bicycles, prams, wheelchairs, surfboards or other bulky luggage in a jam. Protesters are encouraged to bring such items.
Zane Alcorn
Israeli president to visit
MELBOURNE — The visit of Israeli President Moshe Katsav will be protested on March 3 when he attends a function at the Palais Theatre in St Kilda.
The demands of the protest will include "Stop the apartheid wall", "End the occupation" and "Implement UN resolution 194 for the right of return for Palestinians". For more information phone Liz on 0421 979 694 or Josh on 0431 184 440.
Ray Fulcher
Tsunami disaster: A Western made tragedy?
CANBERRA — At a Socialist Alliance forum on December's Indian Ocean tsunami disaster, SA activist Nick Everett contrasted the horrendous death toll of the tsunami with the well-planned response of the revolutionary Cuban government to a recent hurricane, ensuring that not one life was lost.
Australian National University academic Dr Robert Cribb described how the Howard government's supposedly generous aid package could be used as a weapon against Indonesians should they choose to do anything against Australia's interests.
The disgraceful behaviour of the Sri Lankan government, restricting the flow of aid to the Tamil population in the north of the country, was described by the final speaker, Vaitylingam Thamo, president of the ACT Tamil Senior Citizens Association.
James Caulfield
From Green Left Weekly, February 9, 2005.
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