Comedian and radio personality Wendy Harmer tweeted recently about a dinner experience she had: “Had my Liberal-voting friends over last night who are adamant the Govt. should nationalise the banks — same position as espoused by Green Left Weekly. Weren't best pleased when I pointed this out. Fun debate :)”
It’s no surprise people are drawing this conclusion, as more revelations from the banking royal commission show just how much the banks have screwed over customers in the name of profits.
But you won’t find the Sydney Morning Herald or The Age calling for the banks to be nationalised.
That’s why GLW is so important — we are prepared to say it because we are not dependent on advertising revenue for our survival.
Instead, what GLW does depends upon the support of you, our readers.
To help you help us, we have launched a new system where regular readers can become regular financial supporters of GLW.
If you’re on a limited budget, chip in as little as $5 a month and we’ll send you a digital copy of GLW each week. Chip in $10 or more a month and you’ll get a digital or hard copy of GLW, or both. It’s up to you.
GLW is highly valued and respected — a reputation earned over more than 27 years. But don’t just take our word for it.
We asked a number of local and international supporters to tell us why they support us. Here is what some of them had to say.
Craig McGregor, Victorian Allied Health Professionals Association secretary: “GLW has long been the unofficial journal of progressive unionists everywhere … [and] an outstanding proponent of clear-headed political analysis.”
Mike Treen, Unite Union (Aotearoa/New Zealand) national director: “An invaluable source of serious left-wing journalism in this region ... I have come to rely on GLW for news from Australia and Asia in particular.
“GLW has also been a champion of our work at Unite Union and certainly one of the only sources for news on that in Australia. For that, we are also very grateful. May your good work continue.”
Ian Angus, Canadian socialist, author and editor of climateandcapitalism.com: “An indispensable resource that deserves the widest possible support from every partisan of the global fight for justice and liberation.”
Kavita Krishnan, Indian socialist and feminist: “GLW has shown the global Left how it can do battle with corporate media and create a platform for people's media which will prioritise people's movements and people's perspectives and ideas.”
Ariel Salleh, political economist: “There’s nothing fake about the news in GLW … Written by people who care, it keeps the political pulse of communities local and global, as they resist the brutal ad hoc policies of a senile capitalism.
“The world’s first ever ecosocialist newspaper, GLW nurtures and inspires worker’s, women’s, indigenous, youth, and ecological politics towards just and sustainable alternative futures.”
Col and Bill Ryan, climate activists: “[GLW] keeps us informed of working class actions locally and around the world.”
Hall Greenland, journalist, activist and former NSW Greens state convenor: “[I] look forward to retrieving my copy from the letterbox each Tuesday. Stimulating reporting and analysis of local events and the best coverage of international developments in the Australian media.”
Sonny Melencio, Party of the Labouring Masses (the Philippines) national chairperson: “[GLW] covers events, issues and struggles of peoples across the globe … Through the paper, we become a part of international movements and trends clamouring for an end to barbarism and collectively struggling for socialism.”
Sivarajan Arumugam, Socialist Party of Malaysia general secretary: “[GLW is] my source of critical analysis and a call for activism in Australia and all around the world. A reliable alternative news media to expose capitalism.”
Farooq Tariq, Awami Workers Party (Pakistan) leader: “I have been regularly reading GLW now over 20 years. It is a great source of political information not only about the Left and labour movement of Australia but also internationally.
“My red salute to all those who are producing, contributing by selling and giving donations and all those who are reading and spreading progressive ideas in Australia and around the world.
“You do your work for the ultimate goal of a socialist revolution, we will do ours for the same cause — a united struggle against capitalism helped and aided by GLW.”
Vannessa Hearman, historian and lecturer in Indonesian studies: “GLW provides an important source of news and analysis, often straight from those who are at the forefront of grassroots activism, which makes this newspaper a unique resource.”
We’ll bring you more of these over the coming weeks and months. You too can add your story by writing to us at subscriptions@greenleft.org.au.
More importantly, you can help grow this important media project by becoming a regular supporter. Sign up today at greenleft.org.au/support or phone us on 1800 634 206 (free call from anywhere in Australia).