Recent events in Indonesia cannot be separated from the international struggle for democracy in general and the international working class movement in particular. The arrest of many pro-democracy activists following the July 27 crackdown in Jakarta has shown the commitment of Soeharto's New Order Government in suppressing the people's movement. However, the Government cannot block the growing popular discontent among people who have been oppressed for the last 30 years.
At least 25 members of the People's Democratic Party have been detained by the military who blame the PRD for provoking the July 27 riot. Among those arrested are Budiman Sudjatmiko, PRD National Chairperson and Dita Indah Sari, the National Chairperson of PRD's trade union, PPBI. PRD is a militant party fighting for democracy in Indonesia. Furthermore, PRD has consistently represented the working class' interests. Along with its mass organisations, the PRD has been trying to convince all layers of Indonesian society that the working class should lead the struggle for democracy in Indonesia.
In the spirit of internationalism, the PRD is requesting support from international working class parties and organisations. Media coverage about our struggle would help promote the working class and people's movements in Indonesia. While some of the left press in Australia are not giving much coverage to the activities of the PRD in the struggle, I would like to thank Green Left Weekly for its help in the campaign to release all political prisoners detained after July 27 crackdown — most of which are PRD members.
Nico Warouw
Overseas representative People's Democratic Party
PO Box 458 Broadway NSW 2007
Phone: 690 1032 Fax: 690 1381
Email: prdint1@peg.apc.org
Budget/riots 1
The establishment media have lauded the budget as "fair" and "balanced". They speak of a return to "moderate" government and to "the middle ground". But what lies in "the shrinking middle"?.
"Downsizers", tax cheats and racists, eager for a return to the 1950s policies of social ignorance and unenlightened self-interest. This is the establishment version.
Then there is what might be called "multicultural" Australia, the Australia with a "middle", with a "balance" of diversity and a "fairness" which comes from a history of proud cultural resistance and defiance of the imported aristocracy.
This "middle ground" rejects the idea that a budget is a corporate blank cheque, and wants a political economy in which young people participate in building a non-racist and non-sexist Australia.
A budget which puts profit ahead of the aims of Australian youth is never "balanced". That is why this budget projects a fall in employment growth, because it is the unfair budget of our aristocracy.
Matthew Davis
Budget/riots 2
A principle within the democratic tradition is that when a government moves too far from its role as representative into the role of dictatorship then it is a responsibility of the citizenry to rebel.
Upon reaching Parliament House on August 19, unionists witnessed a scene where Aborigines were refused their right to enter their parliament and speak to representatives; unionists were then refused as well.
Prior to the march the government had deceitfully framed the debate on the proposed legislation. It was implied that working people would have freedom of choice within a contract system where all of its clauses will be decided by the employer, where citizens face a six-month jail sentence for discussing the contents of a contract and where unions will be refused the right to organise on the job.
Upon refusing entry, police barricaded the doors and Aboriginal and union members were pushed from the scene. People pushed back and the melee followed. If the doors had been left open, a delegation allowed in and meetings held, the situation would have been very different.
You don't cut $450 million from Aboriginal funding, propose legislation which will jail workers, refuse them their democratic right to organise and then, when they mass on the parliament, refuse them entry.
It is not the role of a police force to bar the way of the citizenry into their own parliament. Alternatively, individual police are not the enemy.
Anger and organised opposition will spread as minimum rates of pay and conditions disappear, as civil liberties and union rights are abolished and as the national aspirations of this country's first people are attacked.
Dave Kerin
Melbourne
[Edited for length.]
Budget/riots 3
For John Howard to falsely accuse the overwhelming majority of protesters and demonstrators of being "un-Australian" makes me wonder if we have read the same account of white Australian history. I remember the Vietnam protests, history tells of the Eureka stockade, I've read about the Suffragettes and their struggle for basic human rights, Nookembah, the 8 hour day and 45d. All violent protests. All changing community attitudes for the better. All "Australian".
The large Union protest is justified because of the vehement opposition to the proposed Industrial Relations Bill. It was their right and responsibility to do so. There is a marked difference between a deliberate show of strength and solidarity and the acts of terror and violence shown by a frustrated few in Canberra. The Student rally lined a section of road to cheer, clap and encourage the Unionists as we marched past.
The so-called black hole is not the fault of the average person on the street — bad business set it up in the boom times. The less well off should not be made to foot the bill when a 1% slash of Australian Executive salaries would have the same effect.
The meeting of fellow Unionists and other community activists combined with the protesters from across Australia has strengthened my conviction to protest the massive unnecessary slashing of our social budget and the emphasis this Government places on the final elimination of the Union movement.
Dave Batrick
CFMEU shop steward
Bunbury WA
[Edited for length.]
Un-Australian
So it is "un-Australian" to vent your anger against authority. And the Eureka Stockade was in Northern Ireland. And Ned Kelly was Burmese.
So it is quintessentially Australian to lock yourself inside the underground bunker with your bullet proof vest on and call in the goon squad to beat up anyone that gets in.
Well, Little Johnny must be a dinkum Ozy. And I'm a bloody martian!
Ben Laycock
Barkers Creek Vic
CPSU
The report on the latest round of CPSU meetings in GLW #244 omitted to mention that the National Executive motion included a call for "a broad-based campaign across all public sector unions in opposition to the governments attacks, commencing with membership meetings in September".
If actually carried out this would be a big step forward. Activists should insist that the officials of the CPSU and other unions implement this proposal.
Chris Slee
Melbourne
ASIO
I found your article "Sinister blockheads: more about ASIO" (GLW# 241) of great interest. Quite apart from the obvious intent of the writer to disclose the political bias of this secret organisation, the first hand account of some of the activists in the CPA at that time, such as Hal Alexander, constitute, in my opinion, very valuable oral history.
I think the period still should hold the interest of any person with a healthy curiosity about the historical conditions prevailing at the time, and how each individual responded to those conditions. They were there; and the rising generation was not.
Bill James
Coonalpyn SA