By Zanny Begg
With an apparent lack of irony, the One Nation party used Starship Troopers to advertise the launch of its new youth group, Young Nation. Resistance national coordinator Sean Healy commented: "Starship Troopers is a film about a fascist dictatorship in which only returned servicemen are citizens. Is this One Nation's vision for young people in Australia?"
Young Nation was launched on Invasion Day, January 26, in a desperate bid to raise One Nation's appeal amongst young people. Its launch was accompanied by slick television advertisements using Starship Trooper-esque images and featured Pauline Hanson, David Oldfield and two young women members of One Nation.
Stephanie Roper, a Resistance member running for the Democratic Socialists in the seat of Strathfield in the NSW election, said: "Young Nation will be a fizzer. Young people have clearly shown through the mass high school walkouts against racism organised by Resistance last year that they are among the strongest opponents of One Nation.
"Young Nation has nothing to offer young people. All it will promote is more racism, bigotry and prejudice — things we have had enough of."
The Young Nation advertisements focus on job security. Roper explained that One Nation's solution to unemployment has been to "scapegoat migrants". In contrast, the Democratic Socialists propose "real job creation and a reduction in the working week with no loss in pay" as a solution.
The Democratic Socialists also campaign for justice for indigenous Australians and new migrants.
Roper explained that Resistance thinks it is important to campaign not only against One Nation but also against the record of the major parties. Roper is contesting the same seat as Paul Whelan, the NSW ALP's police minister, because "the Bob Carr government has sold young people out by increasing police powers and blaming youth for social problems such as crime.
"Young people want a living income, real jobs, access to education and a society not torn apart by racism and prejudice. Only this sort of society will eliminate crime."
To help Resistance's NSW election campaign, phone (02) 9690 1977.