SP Newsletter No.286
Socialist Party members from Victoria, New South Wales, Western Australia and Queensland met in Melbourne on October 2 & 3 for the 2009 Socialist Party National Conference.

Thirteen months since the beginning of the global financial crisis and discussions of socialism and capitalism have crept back into common conversation all over the world.

SP Councillor in Yarra, Stephen Jolly spoke at the opening session of the Conference on the world situation. Stephen took up the argument that the crisis was over, describing the totally changed period that faces capitalism as a result of massive government debt resulting from the stimulus packages coupled with huge spare capacity in the economy.

While the crisis may have slowed for now, unemployment is set to rise globally and massive attacks on public services are inevitable. The seeds of a further crisis have already been planted by the ’solutions’ to the current crisis.

Stephen also explained that the main source of confidence for capitalists globally was the lack of militant working class leadership. Rebuilding such a leadership is the main priority for socialists world wide.

The world economy is the most important backdrop to the Australian situation. The second day of the Conference began with a discussion of the effects and the depth of the crisis in Australia. SP National Organiser Anthony Main outlined the fact that 4.2% of Australian GDP had been spent on economic stimulus, the third biggest amount spent on stimulus by any government.

While the immediate effects of the crisis seem to have been averted in Australia, Anthony told the conference that even Kevin Rudd was outlining a worsening situation for workers in the event of any ‘recovery’. In the next period we can expect rising unemployment, rising interest rates, inflation and cuts to services.

Anthony also explained that Australian working class consciousness was lagging behind events. Workers have been conditioned by the boom period and it is normal that their initial reaction to the crisis will be one of shock or disbelief. Unfortunately the trade union leaders are doing nothing to help the situation. A ‘recovery’ with worsening conditions will lead to a change in consciousness and a change in people’s attitudes to the ALP, the union leaders and to struggle.

In the following session, Melbourne Branch Organiser Mel Gregson led off a discussion on the perspectives for growth of the Socialist Party in the year ahead. The discussion focused on the three main points of recruitment, cadre development and finances. The discussion was well grounded in the perspectives that were outlined in the previous two sessions.

The final session of the Conference unanimously adopted the political and organisational resolutions and elected a new National Committee. More than $3200 was raised in a fighting fund appeal, and several comrades pledged to increase their weekly subs.

Overall the 2009 Conference was a resounding success. All participants came away with an improved understanding of the processes taking place both in Australia and internationally. An increasingly confident mood has taken hold amongst members, and the party is well positioned to take advantage of the opportunities to grow and develop in 2010.

To read the political resolution passed at the Conference visit:
http://www.socialistpartyaustralia.org/archives/2158

Upcoming SP meetings

The Melbourne Branch of the Socialist Party meets every Wednesday 7pm at Trades Hall on the corner of Lygon & Victoria Streets Carlton South. Upcoming meetings include:

4/11/09 – The history of the Indonesian Communist Party
11/11/09 – 70th Anniversary of World War Two
18/11/09 – The politics of the Weather Underground
25/11/09 – What socialists say about immigration?
2/12/09 – 155th anniversary of the Eureka Stockade

For more information or for details of meetings in other parts of Australia contact our National Office on 03 9639 9111.

News links:

Is Sweden socialist?
http://socialistworld.net/eng/2009/10/2601.html

Solidarity needed with stranded refugees in Indonesia
http://socialistworld.net/eng/2009/10/2501.html

Britain: National Postal strikes begin
http://socialistworld.net/eng/2009/10/2301.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.

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