Bank nationalisation
As a step towards the objective of bank nationalisation, the Socialist Alliance should campaign for the reopening of banks that have been closed in both city and country.
The motive of bank directors is higher profits at the expense of job losses and considerable inconvenience to the public.
By campaigning for the reopening of banks, the re-employment of staff, and the reduction of bank fees and interest rates on bankcards, we will be demonstrating in a practical way where the Socialist Alliance stands on issues that affect the daily lives of most people.
Bernie Rosen
Strathfield NSW
Tampa crisis
I find it incredibly ironic that our Prime Minister should be invoking international laws to turn around the vessel Tampa.
Is this the same man and the same government who, not so long ago, were saying that international conventions and laws (regarding refugees, rights of children, etc) needed to be changed? Or that Australia should ignore them, since they didn't really apply in this country?
Makes me glad there will be one group fighting for the rights of refugees in the coming elections.
Mitch McCosker
Katoomba NSW
Terror attacks
The terrorist bombings of Washington and New York reveal how terribly vulnerable a mightily armed superpower like the US is. A trillion dollars worth of exotic star wars weaponry cannot prevent such low-tech attacks in America or in one of its allies.
Fortress America, which has cast aside the international community with its arrogant rejection of UN attempts to control small arms exports, greenhouse gas reductions and a host of other protocols aimed at making this planet safer and fairer for all its inhabitants, has reaped the whirlwind with tragic consequences for its citizens.
In Australia we are hell-bent on following the US lead by rejecting the rule of international law and condemning the UN because it dares to criticise our practices in regard to our indigenous people and our treatment of refugees.
I sincerely hope that the realisation will quickly come to the leaderships of all affluent countries that we must not continue to live lives isolated by extravagant disregard for the rights of all people to essential human rights and the basic necessities of life.
It beggars belief the John Howard can look the world in the eye when his government spends only 34 cents per $100 GDP on development aid. It is only a world of wrenching desperation that gives birth to suicide bombers. For God's sake, let our self-interest be enlightened!
Gareth Smith
Byron Bay
Correction
It was stated in the article, "Socialists Challenge Labor at Tas Uni" (GLW #464), that the women's officer candidate for the SHAG ticket had no position on the question of creating a men's officer.
This was a mistake, as it was the women's officer candidate for the "Better" ticket who took no position. The SHAG candidate was in fact opposed to the creation of a men's officer, and helped produce anti-men's officer material. Apologies for the mistake.
Alex Bainbridge
Hobart