The Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry eventually presented its final report on March 16. There have been very few more expensive exercises in irrelevance than this. While the State ALP Government faces annihilation at this weekend’s election, this whitewash only highlights the massive contradictions capitalist governments face in addressing climate change.

Two other reports were also released in the same week. One by the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) and the CSIRO, and another by the Climate Commission. Both of these reports point out the scientific facts behind the bleak future of increasing exposure to risks of extreme weather events.

By Tim Michael, Socialist Party Brisbane

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How to end a nightmare?

Seldom before has an idea spread so quickly across the world. Within days tens of millions watched Invisible Children’s “KONY 2012” video as it went viral across the internet and social media. Shocked at the story of killing, rape and child soldiers, demands multiplied that “something must be done” against Joseph Kony and the brutal Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) he leads in eastern and central Africa.

For a moment Invisible Children (IC) seemed to be setting the agenda as support rapidly mounted for its call for action against Kony. Within a few days this video engendered a surge of outrage, particularly amongst young people in the US. It appealed to the idealism of many young people who want a better world, one free from oppression and poverty. The video encouraged many young people to ask what could they themselves do? However soon it became apparent that Invisible Children’s campaign was not all that it seemed at first sight. Amongst other issues questions were raised as to why, in its last financial accounts, IC, a charity which is meant to aid Ugandan children, spent only 37.14% of its income in Uganda itself.

By Robert Bechert, CWI

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Taking to the streets, the Occupy Wall Street (OWS) movement has led the way for the past six months. With its audacity and creative tactics it has confronted Wall Street corruption, bankers, and politicians, simultaneously challenging corporate power and redefining the political discussion in the U.S. It has shown the corporate bosses that we won’t pay for their crisis without a fight.

Within OWS there is a deep distrust of all traditional institutions. One of the ways this is expressed is in an anti-electoral mood among many OWS activists. Many General Assemblies have taken anti-electoral positions, and there is a strong voice among activists against any participation in the ‘system.’

By Justin Harrison

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SP Newsletter No.390

Employers have slashed thousands of jobs in recent months. Worst affected have been workers in the manufacturing and banking sectors. While the media portrays unemployment as simply a figure, the truth is that losing your job usually means untold hardship and worry.

This is especially true in Australia where most people have credit card debts and are suffering from either rent or mortgage stress. It is a further slap in the face when at the same time as job losses are being announced companies, especially the big banks, are making record profits.

Companies including Holden, Toyota, Billabong, Pacific Brands and Qantas, amongst others have all made drastic cuts to their workforces in recent months. Further jobs are under threat including at Alcoa and Caltex.

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Fight their system – Demand our future!

As the world economic crisis gets worse, anger continues to grow as the gap between rich and poor continues to widen. The 1% who own and control the vast bulk of society’s resources are continuing to rake in enormous profits at the expense of the 99% who are struggling to make ends meet.

The international trend in response to this crisis has been to bail out the rich with taxpayer money, while ordinary people have had to suffer cuts, job losses and increases to our cost of living.

Young people have been some of the hardest hit. From the 2.1 million homeless youth in America, to the 46.2% of youth who are unemployed in Spain, it is no wonder that mass movements have erupted in many parts of the world demanding social change.

By Mel Gregson, Socialist Party

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SP Newsletter No.389

Last month Social and Community Service workers achieved an historic victory. The Australian Services Union (ASU), who represents workers in the sector, won a case in Fair Work Australia (FWA) forcing the tribunal to acknowledge that caring work is undervalued because it is deemed ‘women’s work’.

Over the past couple of years ASU members have held a number of spirited actions demanding equal pay and highlighting the fact that even in the 21st century the fight for women’s equality is far from over. The enthusiasm and persistence of the workers who have participated in these actions has been the key strength of the campaign so far.

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The Treasurer, Wayne Swan, penned an essay for The Monthly in early March which set off a national debate about wealth inequality. The essay was followed by a speech to the National Press Club where he took aim at the super-rich mining bosses. He labelled these people the 0.01%.

This debate is welcomed by socialists. We have been campaigning against the widening gap between rich and poor for many years. However, while engaging in this debate we are obliged to also highlight the real motives behind Swan’s remarks.

By Socialist Party reporters

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Remembering the struggles & victories of women workers

For more than a century, 8 March has been the day to commemorate and celebrate the fight of working class and revolutionary women for a better deal and a socialist society. Its origins are in the struggles for equal pay and decent conditions amongst women in the USA in the 19th century.

On 8 March, 1857, garment workers in New York City marched and picketed, demanding improved working conditions, a ten hour day, and equal rights for women. Their ranks were broken up by the police. Fifty-one years later, 8 March, 1908, their sisters in the needle trades in New York marched again, honouring the 1857 march, demanding the vote, and an end to sweatshops and child labour. The police were present on this occasion too.

By Clare Doyle, CWI

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SP Newsletter No.388

Gina Rinehart, Australia’s richest person and most recent (and worst) poet says she “would like her voice to be heard”. This desire to ensure her interests are being represented in the press is what lies behind her recent corporate raids at Network 10 and Fairfax.

Rinehart now sits on the board of Network 10 and has a 14% stake in Fairfax. The ventures have highlighted the gross concentration of media ownership in Australia and the lack of a democratic and accountable media.

Eleven out of twelve capital city daily newspapers are owned by either Fairfax or Murdoch’s News Ltd. The others are effectively controlled by the owners of Channel 7. The rich and powerful make up the vast bulk of the shareholders of these outlets.

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The ALP leadership crisis has dominated news headlines for weeks on end. While Julia Gillard was able to fend off a challenge from Kevin Rudd yesterday, the underlying issues that led to the tensions remain.

Many commentators in the capitalist press have tried to portray the Gillard/Rudd battle as one of competing personalities. While inevitably there were aspects of personality involved, the real underlying issues are political.

By Socialist Party reporters

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