By Pip Hinman
MELBOURNE — About 60 people attended an October 16 public meeting organised by Independent Action, a loose alliance linking left independents in the state elections. They heard three progressive candidates: Colleen Hartland (independent for Footscray), Dave Holmes (Democratic Socialist Party for Melbourne) and Francesca Davidson (Green Alliance for Prahran).
Chairperson and State Public Services Federation (SPSF) president Kay McVey said that while Independent Action was only a few weeks old, it hoped to challenge current political thinking and promote left candidates. "There is a sizeable voice in society which is opposed to the policies of the current government and those that the Liberal/National coalition intend to bring in", she said.
Independent Action has five policies: defend and extend the public sector; defend democratic and trade union rights; fight unemployment with job creation; promote a clean and safe environment; and support a living income for farmers, workers and welfare recipients.
The recent decision by some former Democrats to leave Independent Action was, McVey said, due to their primary focus on getting elected rather than any longer term vision and also because of the political profile of some of left-wing members of the alliance, such as SPSF vice-president Bill Deller.
Colleen Hartland welcomed the attempt to break the two-party system. She said the Labor Party was running a very nervous campaign in Footscray, with a budget of around $70,000 in what should be a safe seat. Her platform includes making the local chemical industries accountable and forcing them to clean up their act.
Francesca Davidson said she was running to raise environmental and social justice issues and to ensure that young people have a voice. Dave Holmes pointed out that, despite media attempts to dissuade people from voting independent, the polls are showing a consistently high percentage intending to do just that.