Bush is coming to Sydney for APEC!
SP Newsletter No.179
On September 7 – 9 thousands of people will attend protests at the APEC summit in Sydney. Amongst them will be trade unionists, students, socialists, community activists and others who oppose the neo-liberal policies of cuts, privatisation and workplace deregulation. Despite the massive police operation activists will be there in force to defend their democratic rights, and voice their opposition to the APEC leaders and their policies.
From its beginning in 1989, APEC was designed to assist the rich elite in boosting their already massive profits - to prise open more “Third World†countries’ markets for First World goods and services. Such “liberalisation†by force not only jeopardises these countries’ efforts to industrialise, but it devastates agriculture industries on which their struggling populations depend. These vulnerable economies are largely a result of the plundering and looting by rich nations.
In India, where we are told an economic boom is taking place, the slum population has doubled in the last twenty years to 60 million people and, worldwide three billion people now struggle to survive on less than $2 a day. It is not only in the poorest countries of Africa and Asia that deprivation exists. In the richest country on the planet, the US, 60 million people live on less than $7 a day.
Here in Australia, workers and youth have seen their living conditions deteriorate massively as huge attacks are made on wages and working conditions; as well as massive cuts in public education and health services. Howard, will be seeking a pat on the back for these attacks, and for his “generosity†with public money – over $200 million, while Bush is offering just US$5 million to APEC.
APEC leaders from the world’s most powerful economies, along with key regional leaders will be once again discussing economics on trade liberalisation with no consideration of human rights, labour rights and the environment. APEC has denied any formal engagement with the labour movement, or civil rights groups. Not one organisation from the labour movement has been invited to any of the APEC meetings!
However, APEC leaders are keen to have business input through the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) and the Energy Working Group that welcomes contributions from the private sector. These forums receive substantial input from companies such as Rio Tinto, BHP Billiton and Chevron Oil Company. The APEC Energy Working Group has rejected the Kyoto Protocol Strategy and focused solutions on ‘clean’ fossil fuels and nuclear energy.
The APEC protests in Sydney present an opportunity for the labour movement to mobilise against this anti-worker forum - to protest against Howard’s anti-worker IR laws - particularly as workers’ interests have been silenced at the forum. The presence of the organised working class would strengthen the demonstration hugely. No other section of society has the capability of defeating the APEC leaders and the bosses’ system they represent.
Not only that, a trade union presence, with its method of organisation and struggle can bring an added seriousness and a discipline to the protest and will serve as a link between the wider working class and the radicalised youth who are the most vocal opponents to continuation of wars, occupations and poverty, climate change and to capitalism.
Socialist Party National Conference
SP will be holding its National Conference at Trades Hall in Melbourne on August 3 & 4. It will open on the Friday night with a public meeting titled ‘Where is Australia going?’ It will feature a range of speakers including SP members and labour movement leaders. On the Saturday morning we will also have a session open to the public on World Relations. This will also feature SP members including Denise Dudley who will be recently returned from Venezuela! On the Saturday afternoon we will discuss business and building the party.
On the Saturday evening we will be organising a trivia night fundraiser featuring Australia’s most famous (and funniest) left wing comedian, Corrine Grant. All proceeds will go to the campaign to save St Andrews Kindergarten and the Atherton Gardens public housing estate.
We encourage all SP supporters to attend both the public events at the conference and the fundraiser. SP members should ensure they book the weekend in now as it will be the most important meeting we have all year. Members from interstate travelling to Melbourne should contact the National Office soon to discuss assistance with transport costs.
Get on the ‘Red Buses’ to APEC
SP will be organising a fleet of ‘Red Buses to APEC’ from Melbourne to Sydney on September 7-9. We are taking expressions of interest for seats now. If you support the APEC protests against the neo-liberal heavy weights, and can’t make it in person to the protests, you can sponsor a place by donation. In the lead up to the event we will also be holding regular organising meetings. 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
SP subscriber List
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 35 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 Howard’s emergency plan for Aboriginal communities in NT, Labor and the federal election, tidal power, Tamil arrests, eyewitness accounts from the G8 protests in Germany, a report from our councillor in Yarra, and a centre page spread on the world economy.
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 be discussing Howard’s attacks on Aboriginal communities in the NT. 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 –
Britain: Bombing attempts in London and Glasgow
Click here
China: Slave-labour scandal in 21st century China
Click here
Pakistan: Independence - 60 years of shattered dreams
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
++61 3 9639 9111
‘Workers of the world unite – you’ve got nothing to lose but your chains’
