The Howard Government has used the May 2007 Federal Budget to reinforce its attempts to shift Australian public education towards a US-styled privatised model for the rich elite. In the budget Federal Treasurer Peter Costello announced the creation of a $5 billion Higher Education Endowment Fund to pay for university infrastructure and research facilities. But the fund will only generate around $300 million a year for Australia’s 38 universities, which is about the same amount committed by the Keating Government back in 1992.
Editorial comment from the June edition of The Socialist Newspaper (more…)

Over the past few months Kevin Rudd has been progressively releasing the industrial relations policy of the Labor Party. Contrary to previous statements where Rudd said he would be tearing up Work Choices, it seems now he will only be tinkering at the edges of the legislation and retaining significant parts of it.
By Socialist Party reporters Sydney (more…)

SP Newsletter No.174
In its rush to gain political capital from events like 9/11 and the Bali Bombings, the Howard government has blurred the line between legitimate political activity and terrorism. Of extreme concern is the recent arrest of two Australian men for allegedly raising funds for Sri Lankan political organisation, Liberation of Tamil Eelam [LTTE]. (more…)

Socialist Party National Organiser Anthony Main has just returned from a 1 week visit to Auckland, New Zealand. He was invited to speak at the Marxism 2007 forum organised by the Workers Party. One of the sessions of the event was called ‘Approaches to building socialism in Australia’. During this session he outlined the approach of the Socialist Party while Coral Wynter spoke about the approach of the Democratic Socialist Perspective (DSP). Below is a transcript of his speech. (more…)

Perspectives for workers’ struggles, democratic rights and socialism.
We discuss perspectives to decide how to intervene in struggle and build support for Marxist ideas. As Trotsky said, “Marxism is the superiority of foresight over astonishment”. (more…)

Urgent solidarity needed
Following attacks on left-wing activists by right-wing thugs, working in collaboration with the right-wing Prefectura in Cochabamba, Bolivia, CWI member Adam Ziemkowski, has been arrested by the local police. Adam will appear in court on Wednesday 6th June charged with ‘sedition and incitement to violence’. (more…)

The Irish SP suffered a blow last Thursday, narrowly losing Joe Higgins seat in Dublin West and with Cllr Clare Daly just missing out on a seat in Dublin North.
Below is an analysis of the election by the Irish SP. (more…)