By John McGill and Maureen Baker
ADELAIDE — On July 4, about 150 people joined a "Rally for democracy". Chanting "Save our beaches", "Listen to the people" and "Shame Olsen, shame", they marched on the state parliament building.
Speakers from community groups described their frustration with the major political parties. Anne McMenemin from the No Roadtrains, No Clearway Action Group said it was wrong to assume that disillusioned people were turning to One Nation for answers. "To support democracy doesn't mean you are a redneck or right-wing conservative. We need to reclaim democracy."
McMenemin added that the media would assume from the low numbers at the rally that there was a lack of support for its demands, but this was not true. People are alienated rather than apathetic, sick of not being listened to and tired of not having a genuine opportunity to contribute to decision making, she said.
Other groups represented included Save Our Beaches, Campaign Against the Closure of Croydon Primary School, Residents' Action Committee Against Vodaphone Towers, SA Genetic Foods Information Network and a group from the Dublin Ratepayers Association protesting against a mega-rubbish dump near their town.
Commercial television stations reported the rally as a pro-One Nation event and selectively quoted a key speaker, Stephen Darley. In fact, Darley made it clear in his speech that he rejected and held in contempt "One Nation's scapegoating of people who are even more vulnerable and disadvantaged than the party's supporters". He went on to say, "I understand very well the desperation many Australians felt in voting for One Nation. They are sick to their back teeth with political double-speak and the two-party system denying them real knowledge of and control over the decisions that matter for their future.
"Economic rationalism gives the economy to the rich and rations to the rest of us — an increasingly small ration of the immense wealth created by the hard work of ordinary people."
Darley also described degradation of the environment by big business, supported by the political elite. He summing up by saying, "We need to use the electoral process to the limit of its possibilities ... but the limits are narrow — the system was designed by, is controlled by and operates in the interest of these same dominant groups. The key arena of this struggle is on the streets, in our own communities and joining with others in solidarity. We must organise, rally, protest, communicate, talk, write and argue about the ways forward for a much more just, democratic and environmentally sustainable future."
The rally passed a resolution condemning the state government for its failure to consult adequately and appropriately with its citizens and for its blatant disregard for the environmental heritage of our children and for the opinions, feelings, health, safety and well-being of ordinary people. The resolution called on the government to remember the meaning of democracy, listen to the people and to reverse decisions which have been made without democratic consultation.