BY RUTH RATCLIFFE
DARWIN — The Socialist Alliance has decided to run at least three candidates in the Northern Territory elections called for August 18, the alliance's first-ever foray in a state or territory election.
Youth worker and anti-racist campaigner Peter Johnston will run in the seat of Fannie Bay, youth rights activist Meredith De Landelles will contest Wanguri and drug law reform campaigner Gary Meyerhoff will run in Nightcliff.
Called by chief minister Denis Burke on July 31, the election campaign will be just 17 days long, and the electoral roll closed just 24 hours after the election was called.
The Socialist Alliance hopes to offer a real choice to voters disillusioned with the similar, right-wing politics of the Labor Party and the Country Liberal Party, which has governed the NT for 25 years.
Socialist Alliance activists have been at the forefront of the campaign against the Public Order and Anti-Social Conduct Act, which empowers police to disallow any behaviour they deem "anti-social". The only amendment made by the Labor Party to the bill was an attempt to make the legislation harsher towards those involved with illegal drugs.
The Socialist Alliance has developed a comprehensive platform for the elections, around the theme "people before profits". Some of the main issues it intends to campaign on are preventing the establishment of a refugee detention centre in Darwin, opposing mandatory sentencing and fighting the Anti-Social Conduct Act.
The Socialist Alliance has also committed to opposing a proposed new US military base which may be built in the Darwin area. The alliance's policy calls for the closure of all US military bases in Australia.
The NT Greens have announced that they will not be standing candidates in the election, due to financial problems. The NT Socialist Alliance is however hoping that local Greens activists will throw their weight in behind the green and left campaign of the NT Socialist Alliance.
The decision of the alliance to run was taken unanimously, despite the fact that the alliance was formed nationally just four months ago. The well-attended Darwin meetings of the alliance have been happening for just a couple of months, and have involved members of the Democratic Socialist Party, the Greens and many other individuals.
The alliance intends to keep up its campaigning stalls at the local markets and shopping centers. It is also organising a public forum — "Police state, the great debate" — on August 16.