Wet weather didn't dampen the spirits of those who attended May Day marches around the country on the weekend of May 4-5. The major themes at this year's events included fighting the Coalition's privatisation plans and cutbacks.
Alex Bainbridge and Cheryl Walsh report from Newcastle that up to 600 people attended, including representatives from a range of unions and political groups in the Hunter region.
A highlight was the big contingent of miners, many of whom came from the Vickery coal mine in Gunnedah. The Vickery miners have been on strike for eight months against management demands that they work 12-hour shifts. They marched with their pipe band and several banners, and a couple of helicopters flew overhead displaying a supporting banner.
Another notable feature was the support displayed for the Telstra workers campaigning against privatisation and public sector workers fighting Howard's cuts. Numerous banners and placards proclaimed that Telstra should be kept in public hands.
The Australian Labor Party was significantly more prominent this year than usual. The contingent had even dragged out an old "Labor Against Uranium" banner.
The Democratic Socialist Party and Resistance marched with red flags and a "Struggle, Solidarity, Socialism" banner behind a car decorated with banners proclaiming support for a free East Timor and Aboriginal land rights.
The People's Chorus sang during the march and at the Workers' Club afterwards.
From Wollongong, Andrew Hall reports that up to 300 people marched through the city to the mall, where they heard speakers from the CPSU and South Coast Labour Council (SCLC).
A 20-person strong Democratic Socialist Party/Resistance contingent, complete with red flags, a Cuban flag and a Lenin banner, led the chanting with slogans against privatisation, unemployment, low wages, the Coalition government and the ALP.
SCLC secretary Paul Matters condemned Australia's involvement in wars (both the Hawke-Keating and Howard governments) against East Timor and Bougainville. In urging solidarity with East Timor, Matters highlighted the positive role of the Indonesian labour movement and democracy activists in linking up with Timorese independence activists.
Matters also condemned governments' moves towards privatisation. He cited the Wollongong Mall administration's harassment of activists distributing political literature as an example of how public space is also being privatised.
In Sydney, Rupen Savoulian writes, more than 1000 people attended the rally which began at Liverpool Street. Numerous political groups, trade unions and non-governmental organisations were present, and the march was led by workers from the CFMEU. Political groups from ethnic communities such as the Iraqi, Iranian and Turkish communist parties and representatives from the Kurdish community had a joint contingent called the May Day Coalition.
At First Fleet Park, several speakers addressed the crowd, including John Sutton from the CFMEU, who condemned the increasing attacks on workers' rights by the federal Liberal government and spoke of opportunities for trade union struggles. While the past 13 years under the ALP-ACTU Accord had been difficult for trade unions, he said, the next period under a Coalition government would see attacks on workers' rights and living conditions gather pace.
Sutton also expressed sympathy for the victims of the Port Arthur shooting, and said that the gun lobby and arms manufacturers represent the most evil aspect of capitalism.
Representatives from the Aboriginal community highlighted the Coalition's attacks on land rights, which have mobilised racist sentiment in the wider Australian community.
Next week's Green Left Weekly will carry reports on the May Day events in other cities.