Thousands rally against Kennett

May 12, 1993
Issue 

By Bronwen Beechey and Peter Boyle

MELBOURNE — The day after a large May 5 march and rally against the Kennett government's budget cuts and attacks on superannuation benefits of public sector workers, a $2 million "audit" of the state's finances, commissioned by Kennett, was released. It called for called for even bigger cuts, including the abolition of pension concessions for gas and electricity, reduction of concessions on public transport, another $170 million in health cuts and the sacking of an additional 6100 teachers.

Estimates of the numbers who marched in Melbourne on May 5 ranged between 40,000 and 70,000. Although somewhat smaller than the previous two demonstrations called by the VTHC to protest against Kennett's attacks on workers' rights and community services, the turnout exceeded the expectations of many organisers. Other smaller rallies were held in regional centres including Geelong, Ballarat, Shepparton, Wodonga and Traralgon.

Health workers, state public servants, metalworkers, emergency service workers, nurses and teachers were just some of the groups represented on the march, which also attracted many members of the community angered at cuts to schools, hospitals and other services. Colourful banners and hand-lettered placards, many carrying witty and/or extremely unflattering comments about Kennett, showed that many workers appreciated the opportunity to demonstrate their outrage.

However, Kennett intends to use the latest report on state finances to justify his cuts and demoralise opposition. A simplified version of the report, which overstates the state's liabilities and understates its assets, is to be delivered to every household in the state.

The Labor opposition dismissed the report as an "ideologically based document designed to scare people into believing the government is on the right track". It alleged that the original chairperson of the audit commission, Sir Rodney Carnegie, had been pressured into resigning last year because he refused to conduct a "witch-hunt" against the former Labor government. Carnegie was replaced by Professor Bob Officer from the Melbourne University Graduate School of Management.

Both Melbourne daily newspapers are using the report to support Kennett's austerity campaign. The Age's economics editor Kenneth Davidson — who has a different view — had his opinion buried on page 27 of the May 8 issue of the paper. He argued that the audit report did not produce any new information and simply presented the state's finances in a way most likely to justify the Kennett government's policy.

Some union and left activists are concerned that the VTHC's lack of enthusiasm for a strong campaign against the Kennett cuts would help Kennett succeed with his "debt scare"campaign. Dave Holmes, Melbourne branch secretary of the Democratic Socialist Party, ong turnout, despite limited publicity and the fact that many unionists received details of the rally either late or not at all, shows that there is still real potential for a fight back against Kennett. However, the Trades Hall leadership has abjectly failed to mount a real, fighting campaign."

At a pre-rally gathering of State Public Services Federation members on May 5, vice-president Bill Deller acknowledged that many workers were questioning the value of continuing to attend rallies when it seemed that little was being achieved. He also attributed the lower turnout to the atmosphere of fear and intimidation in many workplaces. In some public service departments, management had circulated memos stating that union members could be liable for fines of up to $1000 if they stopped work for the rally.

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