As long as the economic rationalist ethos prevails in the major parties, the needs of the majority will continue to be sidelined for the interests of big business. Here is a brief guide to the alternative candidates standing in the SA state election.
Legislative Assembly
Green Alliance: Trish Corcoran and Col Smith
The principles of Green Alliance are ecological sustainability, social and economic justice, grassroots democracy and disarmament and non-violence. Green Alliance stands for:
- funds to develop an affordable, accessible, quality public transport system,
- guaranteed minimum income above the poverty line for all pensioners;
- stopping the sell-off of public housing stock; expansion of community housing;
- expanding the public sector;
- action against pollution of water, air and food.
Education is the Key: Clare McCarty
McCarty emphasises the centrality of education to employment, the economy, preserving our environment, reducing violence, reducing drug abuse and making sense of the world. Under Labor 1500 positions have been lost recently, and 4000 qualified teachers are unemployed. McCarty stands for:
- smaller class sizes;
- rejection of further corporate sponsorship;
- more options for post-compulsory education;
- greater emphasis on vocational education.
Help End Marijuana Prohibition
The campaign aims to promote the legalisation of marijuana and to publicise its benefits as an economically and socially useful plant.
Green Party: Ally Fricker and Tim Bickmore
The Green Party view is that social problems are connected to environmental degradation and economic instability. The Green Party proposes a different solution based on de-development; it requires conservation in all aspects of our lives, a shift towards economic self-reliance and the fostering of local communities:
- priority to reusable materials and energy;
- priority to small scale and decentralised technology;
- voluntary and unpaid work outside the market system would be recognised and greatly expanded;
- priority to walking, cycling and public transport over cars.
The Green Party is also running Sue Regione in the seat of Kaurna.
House of Assembly
Democratic Socialist: Andrew Hall in Adelaide, Melanie Sjoberg in Peake
The Democratic Socialists argue for a new kind of politics based on control by all people, not just more members in parliament who are neither accountable nor recallable. The Democratic Socialists are committed to campaigns to put social and ecological needs ahead of private profits in determining what is produced. They stand for:
- extensive job creation to satisfy socially useful needs, financed by progressive taxation, including higher company taxes;
- increased public transport funding;
- full employment through a shorter working week without loss of pay and parity for part-time workers;
- stronger, enforced, anti-pollution and occupational health and safety laws;
- extension of rights and services for women, including free, safe, abortion on demand and reopening of the rape crisis centre;
- anti-discrimination rights for migrants, Aboriginal people, lesbians, gay men;
- proportional representation in both houses of parliament, with all politicians subject to recall by their constituencies.
Independent Socialist: Bob Saltis in Colton
Representing the Socialist Party of Australia, Saltis proposes a policy that puts people first in place of Liberal and Labor "economic rationalist" policies:
- proportional representation;
- protection and extension of the purchasing power of working people;
- real wage increases in conjunction with strict price and profit control;
- union rights and awards to be fully guaranteed;
- legislation against all forms of sexual discrimination and for equal pay throughout the work force;
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- support for multiculturalism, combating racism and ending disadvantage for migrants;
- Aboriginal land rights and the right to decent housing, education and health care.
Brian Noone in Hart (Semaphore)
"A truly independent voice for the people", Noone plans to hold public meetings to discuss how a representative should vote, set up an advisory committee and provide an open office for community use. He stands for:
- clean, safe jobs;
- clean up our own back yard, especially the fragile river system;
- facilities for young people;
- support and respect for senior citizens and their needs;
- equal pay for equal work; women to be able to move freely without fear of violence;
- recognition of the rights of all people;
- defend the award system and develop a just Workcover scheme; defend the right to a trade union.
Kate Barrett in Colton
Barrett is standing on a platform of environmental and community issues. She supports the view that local streets or small areas should be responsible for water quality, with appropriate financial support from state or federal governments. The state government needs to acknowledge destruction of the gulf beaches and develop alternatives to pumping liquid effluent out to sea.