Socialists picket Bracks
MELBOURNE — Supporters of the Socialist Alliance held a rally outside the Treasury Place office of Victorian Labor Premier Steve Bracks on March 5, protesting at the government's failure to reverse service cuts carried out by the previous Kennett Liberal state government.
Under the Liberals, local services such as community health and aged care were savaged by funding cuts and contracting out, resulting in many job losses. There is currently a 12 month wait for home help and the Meals on Wheels service is under great pressure. Labor has not reversed these cuts, despite having a $1.2 billion budget surplus.
The rally was addressed by Judy McVey, a Socialist Alliance candidate for the Moreland City Council, and Fouli Christmann and Graham Matthews, candidates for Darebin Council. While Darebin only has postal voting, polling day in Moreland is March 16. Those wishing to help on polling day should phone Liz Whiteley on 0417 508 506.
WA Socialist Alliance Conference
PERTH — A Socialist Alliance city-wide meeting on March 6 decided to take up the challenge of achieving state registration by August this year by running a concerted membership drive between the months of June and August.
Nikki Ulasowski, the Socialist Alliance Perth district co-convenor said: "Socialist Alliance has an important role to play in Australian politics. Achieving WA registration for the Alliance will be important in our ability to reach out to those who want a left alternative."
From Green Left Weekly, March 13, 2002.
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