SP Newsletter No.169
US hip hop artist Snoop Dogg has been denied entry to Australia this week. The cancellation of his visa means he will not be appearing at the MTV Australian Video Music Awards in Sydney this weekend. Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews said Snoop Dogg was being issued with a notice of intention to cancel his visa after he failed to pass the requisite ‘character test’.

Andrews said “He doesn’t seem the sort of bloke we want in this country. What that character test does is allow the minister to refuse the grant of a visa if the person doesn’t pass the character test. It can also include a person’s associations, their past and present criminal conduct, and their general conduct.

“This man has been a member of a Los Angeles gang - and is still associated with it apparently - that’s been involved in murder, robberies and drug dealing in the LA area.” Andrews said.

The hypocrisy coming from the federal government is absolutely unbelievable. Whether or not Snoop Doog has been involved in criminal activity or not is one thing but Andrews thinks it is perfectly acceptable to refuse entry to people like Snoop Dogg but to welcome criminals like George Bush with open arms!

George Bush, allegedly like Snoop, has also been implicated in murder, robbery and the drug trade. Bush like Snoop is a member of a ‘dangerous gang’ they are called the Republican Party! Bush has instigated wars in Iraq and Afghanistan which have led to the murder of hundreds of thousands of people. Bush has also been linked to a string of corporate corruption scandals in which money has been robbed from ordinary people.

It has also been reported that Bush was arrested in 1972 for cocaine possession. He also now admits that he was convicted of drunk driving in 1976 and in 1966 he was arrested for disorderly conduct. His ‘general conduct’ is also in question as he has been found out lying on many issues including over the existence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. Not to mention the lies and corruption associated with Bushes election ‘victory’ in 2000!

Even given this track record Howard and Andrews plan to roll out the red carpet for Bush when he attends the APEC summit in September. The Socialist Party, alongside thousands of other Australian workers and young people will be protesting against the rotten policies and track record of Bush. We will be organising a fleet of ‘Red Buses to APEC’ from Melbourne to Sydney for the event. We are taking expressions of interest for seats now. If you have had enough of the policies of Bush and the hypocrisy of the Howard government you should join us!

For more information or to put your name down for a seat call our National Office on 03 9639 9111

Join the Socialist Party

If you agree with what you have read in our newsletter or on our website you should consider joining SP. The Socialist Party has branches in Melbourne, Sydney, Newcastle and Perth as well as members and supporters in all other states. We are involved in trade union work and student work. We also run community, anti-war and environmental campaigns. But most of all we want to build a party that will fight to overthrow the capitalist system. We fight for socialism - a system that will bring an end to wars, poverty and environmental destruction. For more information about joining in your area contact the SP National Office. 0396399111

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Become a supporter of SP today! Join our subscribers list - only $20 per year or $10 concession. You will receive our newspaper ‘The Socialist’, delivered to your door every month, and our email newsletter every week. You will also know that you are supporting a party that is at the fore of the fight back against Howard and against capitalism. Contact the SP National Office now on 0396399111 to join the list.

The Socialist

Issue 32 of SP’s monthly newspaper ‘The Socialist’ is out now! Readers can pick up a copy at our regular street stalls, from our National Office or by joining the SP subscriber’s list. This month’s paper features articles on APEC, Qantas, NSW state election, David Hicks, Iraq, a report from our councillor in Yarra, G20 arrests, and a centre page spread on the environment.

SP now on My Space!

My Space is an online forum for networking. You can use it to chat, share photos, videos and journals. SP is using it to promote our party and meet people interested in socialist politics. Check out our site here

Regional Activity

Victoria

The SP Melbourne Branch meets every Wednesday 7pm at Trades Hall in Carlton South. 1st Floor Corner of Lygon & Victoria Streets. This week the Melbourne branch will host a public meeting. Is Labor’s IR policy a sell out or an acceptable compromise to win the election? All welcome.

New South Wales

To find out more info or to join SP in Sydney contact Gary - 02 9728 7727

To find out more info or to join SP in Newcastle contact Samantha - 02 4968 1545

Western Australia

To find out more info or to join SP in Perth contact John on – 08 9402 0728

Please note childcare is available at all SP meetings but only by prior arrangement please call ahead first.

News links just a click away –

Scotland: Scottish Parliament election - support for Labour falling
By Jim McFarlane, International Socialists, Dundee
Click here

France: Record turn out sees Royal and Sarkozy go through to second round
By Karl Debbaut, CWI
Click here

Yeltsin’s legacy – ‘wild’ capitalism across the former USSR
By Clare Doyle, CWI
Click here

Get Active - Join the fight back, Get Militant - Join the Socialist Party
The Socialist Party is the Australian section of the Committee for a Workers’ International (CWI).
To contact or join the SP or CWI anywhere in Australia or the world call our National Office
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