During the short Queensland election campaign, the three Socialist Alliance candidates mobilised more than 100 supporters to take socialism to the electorate. Adrian Skerritt, candidate for Inala, received 3.1% of the primary vote, after running a strong campaign against homelessness and for restoring the stolen wages of Queensland's Indigenous workers.
Skerritt told Green Left Weekly, "we ran on meaningful and important issues, with more time we could have reached a wider audience, but we've gained experience for the federal election."
In the seat of South Brisbane, Lynda Hansen polled 2.9%, running on three key issues: for more public housing, restoration of stolen wages and making Queensland a nuclear free state.
Hansen stated, "Participating in an election enables us to reach a far wider audience for socialist ideas, however, unlike the other parties, we will continue to campaign on our program long after the polling booths are closed."
Brisbane Central candidate Coral Wynter, running against Premier Peter Beattie, got 1.6% of the primary vote. Local Indigenous activist Adrian McEvoy received 1.4% in the same seat.
All three candidates held protests against the ALP incumbents during the campaign, protesting the government's poor record.
This was the first Queensland state election that the Socialist Alliance has contested. Due to the state's draconian electoral laws, the alliance is not registered in Queensland. This meant it was not listed under its party name on the ballot paper — a significant obstacle.
Wynter pointed out that, in the context of a significant swing towards the Greens, the Socialist Alliance's votes "represent a conscious minority who are willing to record their support for a socialist alternative."
"This base of 1500-2000 votes in three seats is a solid base to build on for future elections — including the March 27 Brisbane City Council election, and the looming federal poll.
"The activist nature of the Socialist Alliance means that we will be mobilising our supporters not just as voters, but as participants in the vital campaigns now under way against war, poverty, injustice and racism in the coming years."
From Green Left Weekly, February 11, 2004.
Visit the Green Left Weekly home page.