Report of the ‘Great Debate’ held in Melbourne
A successful struggle to defeat Howard’s anti-union laws, and to kick out the government, poses the question, what is the political alternative to the ruling Liberals? This vital issue was addressed during a public meeting, organised by the ETU in MelbourneAfter the mass demo on 15 November around 150 people packed the ?Comrades? Bar?, to discuss political representation for working people. The meeting was entitled, ?The Great Debate: Howard is against us ? Who is for us?? and subtitled, ?Labour? Greens? Independents? New Party??
Speakers included leaders of the electricians, postal workers, plumbers and the fire fighters? unions. Steve Jolly, Socialist Party (CWI) Councillor in Yarra Council, Melbourne, and the Chair of a huge public housing estate in Richmond, Melbourne, also addressed the crowd. Anthony Main, Socialist Party National Organiser, chaired the meeting.
During the meeting, union speakers gave damning accounts of what Howard?s new anti-union legislation will mean for workers. The public housing representative condemned attacks on social housing. Most of the platform speakers agreed that workers do not have adequate political representation. However, the union speakers said workers have no choice but to ?reform? the Australian Labor Party (ALP).
Steve Jolly, on behalf of the Socialist Party, argued the Australian Labor Party is no longer a vehicle for workers? struggles and carries out pro-market policies when in power, including neo-liberal cuts and attacks on workers? rights and conditions. He gave examples of what a socialist councillor can do representing workers and youth, on Yarra Council, albeit on a small scale.
Steve got a very good response to his call for a new mass, workers? party. Such a party must have democratic, federal structures and allow different tendencies and ideas, if it is to attract youth and working people. Furthermore, it must be a campaigning party - a combative party of mass struggles, with bold socialist policies - if it is to grow and be successful.
The Comrades? Bar meeting was an important exchange of views on political representation for workers and youth and marked a step forward in the campaign for a new mass party of the working class. The Socialist Party will continue to raise the idea of building a new workers? party, alongside its campaigns in the communities and workplaces. The idea of a new workers? party will get a stronger response as workers and youth struggle against the Howard government and come to realise that they need to build a political alternative to all the bosses? parties.
