BY JACKIE LYNCH
MELBOURNE — Fifty people attended a Socialist Alliance barbeque in Northcote's Jika Jika Community Centre on February 16 to launch the alliance's election campaign for the Darebin council.
The Socialist Alliance is standing candidates in four council wards: Rucker, James, Cazaly and Barunah. All candidates are local activists involved in a range of campaigns.
The Socialist Alliance has pledged make the city of Darebin a haven for refugees, to extend public transport not freeways, save Merri Creek, let residents control development and oppose towers at Northcote Plaza, ensure quality council services, ensure good working conditions for council workers and to fight the squeeze on council funding.
"The Socialist Alliance is an opportunity for the left to present real alternatives to racism and war", Graham Matthews, candidate for Barunah, told the gathering.
Fouli Christmann, candidate for Cazaly ward, is a life-long resident of Darebin who is fed up with cuts to community services. "I am running to present an alternative and to make sure that refugee rights and community services are put up front in this election", she said.
Voting for the Darebin council election will be conducted by postal ballot and will conclude on March 15.
Socialist Alliance is holding a number of local speakouts to publicise the campaign. If you can help out with letterboxing or would like to know more about the campaign, phone Jackie on 9486 1284 or email < melbourne@socialist-A HREF="mailto:alliance.org"><alliance.org>.
From Green Left Weekly, February 27, 2002.
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