In the six months since the federal election we have seen an acceleration of the ruling class’s neo-liberal agenda. The continuing cuts and privatisations are rationalised by Turnbull’s three-word slogan, “Jobs and Growth”, but the effect seems to be quite the opposite.

Siobhan Kelly, president of the Retail and Fast Food Workers Union, gave this speech at the 12^th Socialist Alliance national conference, held over January 20-22 at the Geelong Trades Hall.