By Stephen Boyd

The siege of Najaf is the latest episode that underlines the fact that neither US Imperialism nor their puppet “Iraqi government” led by Iyad Allawi control Iraq.
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This speech was given by Victorian crime writer (and outspoken public education activist) Shane Maloney to an assembly of boys at Melbourne’s exclusive Scotch College. He had been invited to conduct some workshops on writing (which he did) and then to speak to the larger gathering (he was given no guidance on what to speak on). Needless to say his speech caused quite a stir, with some of the teachers and boys being very indignant.
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HOWARD MUST GO ON OCTOBER 9

The Socialist Party welcomes the Federal election in that it gives the working class an opportunity to vote out the most reactionary government since Federation.
The Howard government has carried on the neo-liberal policies begin in the last years of the Whitlam government, the Fraser years, and the 13 years of Hawke-Keating - and added a vicious socially-reactionary twist. (more…)

The Socialist Party in Australia is affiliated to the Committee for a Workers’ International. Here is the second report on its recent Summer School held in Belgium. Australia was represented by Denise Dudley.

This second report follows another article covering the main discussion on Latin America from the CWI Summer School that appeared a few days ago on our web page (see below). This report concentrates on Europe, Asia, Latin America and Africa. (more…)

Yesterday the Victorian Court of Appeal sentenced ex-AMWU State Secretary Craig Johnston to two years and nine months jail. Nine months is to be served immediately with the remainder suspended for 2 and 1/2 years. The Court ruled the original sentence in the County Court (a wholly suspended sentence) was “manifestly inadequate”.

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By Celso Calfulan, in Caracas

The Venezuelan right wing went to great lengths to impose a recall referendum. This included open fraud, such as the inclusion of the signatures of 11,000 who were already dead. There were 10,500 signatures which appeared either 3 times or more and those individuals are now being prosecuted. Yet, all of this was in vain given that for the eighth time the right-wing were defeated by the workers and those who live in the poor districts.
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Next Tuesday 7th September from 7pm the Socialist Party is launching its campaign for the Yarra City Council elections on November 27th. African food from our Nigerian comrade Wale will provide the backdrop. Come and hear our three candidates, Stephen Jolly, Erinn Sales and Zac Wright, explain our policies and hear how you can help the campaign. The event is in Clifton Hill, Melbourne and is child friendly. RSVP to 96399111 and we will give you the house address.

1996 marked a victory for a section of the ruling class, politically represented by the Howard Government, wanting to hitch their class interests at the US, the sole superpower since the collapse of the USSR.
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Joe spoke directly to almost 2000 workers and shop stewards during his brief tour, plus four SP public meetings in three States, did media, met with union executives, and had an official welcome by Melbourne City Council. The Celtic Club in Melbourne organised two separate functions for him. The highlights for Joe were the SP National Conference (see separate report), the 350-strong delegates meeting of the NSW National Union of Workers, the site meeting at the massive Eureka job of 500 workers, and the Southern Cross job of 350 workers. (more…)

Our best ever Conference - in terms of its political analysis, attendence, recruitment, money raised and morale…

The Conference was held at Melbourne’s Trades Hall and was opened by John Gowland from the Perth branch. International messages of support from Belgium, Sri Lanka, Canada, Austria. Germany and Belgium were read out by our Nigerian comrade Wale. (more…)