SP Newsletter No.188
Approximately 20,000 Victorian workers rallied against the Federal Government’s industrial relations (IR) laws on September 26. The rally was mostly made up of building and manufacturing workers.

Traffic and trams were disrupted for more than two hours as the rally filled Swanston Street in the central business district of Melbourne. Many workers marched with placards saying: “WorkChoices … Not my choice” and “Don’t give Howard another shot - protect your kids’ future”. SP members marched behind the party banner and sold many copies of The Socialist newspaper and pro union badges.

The mood on the rally was noticeably more sombre than previous rallies against the IR laws. This was mainly due to the fact that whilst most workers want to see the back of the Howard government, there is absolutely no enthusiasm for the Labor team of Rudd and Gillard.

A successful SP public meeting was held after the demonstration. SP member and Communications Workers Union organiser, Troy McGuiness spoke about the cuts that Australia Post is trying to implement in inner city Melbourne and SP member and UNITE Secretary Anthony Main spoke about trade unions under a Rudd ALP government.

Launch of ‘Safeguarding Australia’ summit disrupted

On September 26 the launch of the ‘Safeguarding Australia’ summit was successfully disrupted at Melbourne University. The summit is organised by the Research Network for a Secure Australia (RNSA) which is a body funded by the federal government and supported by university research & private industry leaders.

The summit has been established in a bid to develop and display new defence & surveillance technologies, alongside discussions on ‘terrorism today’. In reality this is an opportunity for government representatives, bosses and academics to get together and discuss ways of further winding back civil liberties. They will also be discussing better ways of making profits in the security industry.

Over 50 people from the Alliance for Civil Disobedience Coordination (ACDC) met outside the university and marched to University House where a fancy dinner to was being held to launch the summit. A blockade was established on the main entrance as well as a side entrance to the hall. It was held for over an hour. Many guests were turned away despite hired goons from Chubb Security trying to intimidate the blockaders.

Eventually almost 40 police officers arrived and threatened to arrest anyone who continued to blockade. Unfortunately (for them) the dinner had already been successfully disrupted and a decision was made to retreat after a job well done.

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 37 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 the IR laws, world economy, Australia Post dispute, NT Emergency Response Bill, public education, The United Nations, East Timor and a report from our councillor in Yarra.

SP 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 anti-capitalist and socialist politics. Check out our site here

Regional Activity

Victoria

The SP Melbourne Branch meets every Wednesday 7pm at Trades Hall on the corner of Lygon and Victoria Streets Carlton South. This week the branch will be discussing the state and political dissent. For more info call 96399111. 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.

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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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‘Workers of the world unite – you’ve got nothing to lose but your chains’