Read this background feature on history of and current situation in China.
Marxists describe the momentous Chinese Revolution of 1949 as the second greatest event in world history, after the Russian Revolution of 1917. One billion people rose up and smashed capitalism and landlordism and expelled imperialism from the country.

While the Socialist Party (SP) is busy putting the blowtorch to the Greens, another left wing party, Socialist Alliance (SA), continues to build up their credibility.

By Stephen Jolly, Socialist Party National Secretary
In 2002 the Yarra City Council election saw the election of four Greens Councilors. In 2003 the Council elected the first Green Party mayor in Australia. The municipality covers the inner city northern suburbs of Melbourne, and has an $88 million budget and over 500 staff.

By Peter Taaffe, Socialist Party
There is deep disappointment in Australia, Britain and worldwide at the victory of Bush in the US elections. This, however, does not justify drawing pessimistic conclusions for the future or insulting the US people, as did the London Daily Mirror: “How can 59 million people be dumb enough to vote for [...]

By Gary Duffy, Socialist Party Sydney
The subject of terrorism is not a clean and easy one to deal with firstly there is the well known popular view that one individuals terrorist is anothers freedom fighter. (For example the East Timorese and the ANC in Sth Africa, the Taliban in Afghanistan who went from freedom fighters [...]

By Anthony Main, AMWU Shop Steward (Metals Division)
In late August 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 [...]

LYNN WALSH, editor of Socialism Today, British monthly magazine of the Socialist Party argues that socialism, far from being ‘finished’, will once again become the idea that guides workers and youth in the struggle for a new society.

On Saturday November 27th we need your help handing out how-to-vote cards for the Langridge Ward (Collingwood, Fitzroy, Abbotsford, Clifton Hill and Alphington/Fairfield Park) in the Yarra City Council elections. We are standing three candidates: Stephen Jolly, Erinn Sales and Zac Wright. 3 Councillors will be elected in the ward out of 11 candidates.
In [...]

During the election campaign, the Treasury Department predicted 3.5% growth in GDP over each of the next two years. Within days of being re-elected, Treasurer Peter Costello was already watering down these over-optimistic thoughts.

Millions of workers were disgusted that their votes for Labor in the Senate meant their preferences went to the socially-reactionary Family First Party. For example, despite only one fifth of the Green primary vote, preference deals meant Family First jumped ahead of the Greens by the end of counting!