Democratic Socialists launch ACT election campaign
By Paul Oboohov
CANBERRA — The Democratic Socialist campaign for the ACT elections in February was launched on October 24. The audience of 40 also celebrated the official registration of the Democratic Socialists in the ACT, which allows the name to be printed on the ballot paper.
The candidates, in the electorate of Molonglo, are Sue Bull, Tim Gooden and Nick Soudakoff.
Sue Bull is a long-time political activist with experience in the trade union, peace and anti-racism movements.
She has been an industrial organiser for the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) and a social worker with migrants for Fairfield City Council in Sydney.
Previously she worked as a teacher in Victoria, fighting against attacks to public education.
Tim Gooden left the ALP because it had abandoned working people. Tim is the CPSU section secretary for the ACT government service, and is fighting the Carnell Liberal government's attempts to cut jobs and conditions.
Gooden's activism as a delegate last year significantly contributed to a hard-fought industrial campaign, which won ACT government workers a 10.1% pay rise and saved many jobs and services
Nick Soudakoff, a University of Canberra student, has campaigned for students' rights, fighting to stop the spread of fees and cuts to classes and courses.
He has joined picket lines in solidarity with university staff protesting cuts to jobs. He has also been involved in the Campaign Against Racism.
Like other young people, Soudakoff is a victim of the vicious attacks on rent assistance and the slashing of youth incomes. He will champion the rights of the unemployed, working poor, students and youth.
The candidates pledged, if elected, to use parliament as a vehicle to amplify the demands of progressive community campaigns, and to donate all their parliamentary salary over $450 per week to the Democratic Socialists to organise grassroots campaigns.
Policies on democratic rights, economic rights, employment and racism were announced. A major thrust is the need for a massive expansion of the public sector to make up for the job cuts in both the federal and ACT public services.
The Democratic Socialists will also stand on their record of fighting racism. They have built the Campaign Against Racism and organised two anti-One Nation demonstrations, several actions for land rights and against Howard's attacks on native title, and worked closely with the Aboriginal Tent Embassy.
Their anti-racism policy calls for effective government action and education against racism, the full involvement of indigenous people and migrants in society, and real Aboriginal land rights. The policy calls for the full implementation of the Wik High Court ruling.
For further information on the campaign, or to help out, contact Sue Bull on 6247 2424. Donations of up to $100 are tax deductible.