SP Newsletter No.223
Recently the CSIRO warned that the price of petrol could rise to $8 per litre within 10 years! In the past year alone we have already seen petrol prices jump nearly 20 percent. It is estimated that this is eating into the average family’s pay packet to the tune of more than $700 per year.

But it is not only our fuel bill that is increasing. Over the past few months we have also seen most products that are transported by road increase accordingly. This has been especially the case with food. Overall our pack packets are not keeping up with the rising costs of living.

The reasons for the petrol price increases are varied. Partly they are a result of the situation in Iraq and the instability in the Middle East. Far from paving the way for oil prices to decrease, the US led invasion has created even more instability in the region. With renewed threats now against Iran this is not expected to improve soon.

Another significant reason for the increases is the growing demand for oil in both China and India. With rapidly expanding economies the increases in the demand for oil is outstripping the potential of the oil industry to increase supply.

The reason the industry can’t keep up is because when you leave oil production up to big business (as with everything else) they tend not to spend money on investing in new infrastructure or technology. This has limited their capacity to increase production.

The big four oil companies of Shell, Mobil, BP and Caltex totally dominate the industry in Australia and are all making huge profits at the expense or ordinary people. Government taxes in the form of fuel excise only add insult to injury.

The Socialist Party calls for the big oil companies to be nationalised. On the basis of public ownership petrol prices could be significantly reduced as it would mean that these companies could be run for the benefit of ordinary people rather than for mega profits.

Not only that but, given the current environmental crisis, it is essential that we quickly develop a plan to make the transition from oil and fossil fuels to renewable technology. At the moment the big oil companies are resisting this tooth and nail because it will interfere with their profits.

One of the side effects of high petrol prices has been that thousands more people are now using public transport. This is a good thing as it reduces greenhouse gas emissions but unfortunately our under funded public transport systems have not been able to cope. This has led to massive overcrowding.

Alongside taking energy production out of the hands of big business and investing in renewable technology we need better public transport systems so that we are not totally relying on cars. All this points to the need for a socialist planned economy as an alternative to the chaos big business dominated capitalism.

SP financial appeal

SP needs $20,000. Please read this important appeal and donate now!
http://www.socialistpartyaustralia.org/archives/1446

What’s on?

Yarra Campaign Against the Tunnel (YCAT) Rally in Melbourne

Say No to the east west tunnel – Say Yes to public transport!
1pm Sunday July 27 at Smiths Reserve, Alexander Parade Fitzroy
Smiths Reserve is the park next to the Fitzroy Pool, Melways Map 2C 5C
For more info visit: http://www.ycat.org.au/?p=36

SP Public Meeting in Melbourne: The lessons of the Eliott dispute

Speakers include: Rob Stary (labour movement lawyer), Dave Kerin (Union Solidarity) and Anthony Main (Socialist Party). 7pm Wednesday July 30th 2008 @ Trades Hall Corner of Lygon & Victoria Streets Carlton South. All welcome for more info call 96399111.

YCAT Fundraising Gig in Melbourne

Some of Australia’s best hip hop and dub acts have donated their time to help build YCAT! CULTURE CONNECT with special guest ELF TRANSPORTER, SCHOOL OF DUB, NATTY SISTREN & DJVJ. 8pm Friday August 8 at The Laundry 50 Johnston St Fitzroy. This night will be big don’t miss it.

News links

Australia: Union membership falling – Time to build UNITE!
http://www.unite.org.au/2008/07/23/union-membership-falling-%e2%80%93-time-to-build-unite/

Ireland: Building and Allied Trade Union (BATU) strikers appeal for support
http://www.socialistworld.net/eng/2008/07/23irelaa.html

Austria: Political establishment in turmoil
http://www.socialistworld.net/eng/2008/07/23austra.html

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 get rid of the capitalist system, the system that is at the root of all of these problems. We fight for socialism - a system that will bring an end to wars, poverty and environmental destruction. To join SP contact our National Office on 03 9639 9111 and we will send you a membership application form.

Subscribe to ‘The Socialist’ newspaper!

Support the Socialist Party by subscribing to our monthly newspaper ‘The Socialist’. Subscription rates are only $10 per year or $20 solidarity price. You will receive 11 copies per year delivered to your door every month. You will also receive our email newsletter every week and you will know that you are supporting an organisation that is at the fore of fighting against the capitalist system. To subscribe to ‘The Socialist’ contact our National Office on 03 9639 9111 and we will send you a subscription form.

Socialist Party contact details

Melbourne: Phone Anthony on 0396399111.
Sydney: Phone Gary on 0297287727.
Newcastle: Phone Samantha on 0249681545.
Perth: Phone John on 0894020728.
Rest of Australia: Phone our National Office on 0396399111.
Rest of the world: Phone our International Office on ++ 44 20 8988 8760.

The Socialist Party is the Australian section of the Committee for a Workers’ International (CWI). The CWI is organised in over 40 countries across the world.

http://www.sp.org.au
http://www.socialistworld.net
http://www.myspace.com/socialistpartyaustralia