BY LISA MACDONALD
SYDNEY — An August 18 meeting of more than 90 members of the Socialist Alliance from Sydney, Wollongong and Newcastle pre-selected a ticket of two to contest Senate seat in the next federal election — Asia Pacific solidarity activist and Democratic Socialist Party member Pip Hinman and refugee rights campaigner and International Socialist Organisation member Ian Rintoul.
Given the newness of the alliance and the fact that many left activists are still finding out about and joining it, the meeting also voted to leave open the option of adding a third candidate to the ticket at a later stage.
Between them, Hinman and Rintoul bring more than 45 years of political experience to the alliance's campaign. Over the years, Hinman has been active in the women's liberation, Latin America solidarity and environment movements. Rintoul is a long-term leader of the ISO and, most recently, has been central to the building of the new refugee rights movement in this country.
To find out more and get involved in the Socialist Alliance's NSW Senate campaign, phone (02) 9690 1977 or 9261 4862, or email <sydney@socialist-alliance.org>.