Saturday’s socialist speak out
Posted by John, October 27th, 2012 - under Saturday's socialist speak out.
The Greens were routed in last Saturday’s election in Canberra, losing 3 of their four sitting members. Labor and Liberals are tied on 8 seats each, giving Shane Rattenbury, the only remaining Green in the Assembly, the balance of power.
The Gillard and Swan ‘Yes Minister’ Resource Rent Tax is working perfectly and not collecting any tax. Surprise, surprise.
The MYEFO mini-budget was a sleight of hand which brought forward company tax, collections and attacked University funding, the baby bonus and private health insurance rebates. Meanwhile the tax system continues to give tens of billion to the rich.
Another Australian soldier has been killed in Afghanistan. Bring the troops home.
The Gillard Government has effectively sacked the Commissioner of taxation once his statutory 7 year term ends in December. His replacement may be from business or the private tax advice industry. Foxes and hen houses come to mind. Maybe funding the ATO to do its job is the real alternative.
On Nauru asylum seekers went on a 24 hour hunger strike on Friday against the denial of their rights and to be returned to Australia for immediate processing.
The merger between Socialist Alternative and the Revolutionary Socialist Party continues apace. I gave a talk on elections, struggle and re-building the left to a Socialist Alternative Canberra meeting with RSP members also attending. If this merger comes off it has the potential to reignite the revolutionary left in Australia and create a real space for it and the ability to get its voice heard among a wider left wing audience and to attract new people.
In Queensland Bob Carnegie is facing $400 000 in fines & jail time for his role in the successful QCH dispute. He was a community supporter and organiser for the 7 week long picket which won. Sign the petition in support of Bob.
In the US the two parties of war debated foreign policy and who would be the best mass murderer and war criminal.
In the UK over 100,000 trade unionists struck and demonstrated in London against austerity.
There was another general strike in Greece. Worryingly, but not surprisingly for those of us with seem remembrance, even understanding, of history, the Greek fascists are increasing their support and activity, including more attacks on immigrants. The Greek left has an historic responsibility to defeat the growing fascism now and a United Front of all left parties – reformist, centrist and revolutionary – is needed to do so.
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