Despite claims of corruption and so-called “illegality” in the Construction Forestry Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU), Labor's new laws is aimed at nobbling one of Australia's most militant unions that has managed to protect the health and safety of workers in the very dangerous construction industry.
Sue Bull
The Socialist Alliance committed to building the Palestine movement at its 18th National Conference. Chloe DS reports.
Supporters and members launched the Socialist Alliance election campaigns for the Victorian Senate and the seats of Corio and Wills. Jacob Andrewartha and Sarah Hathway report.
Sue Bull was on a bus from Canberra to Sydney’s Darling Harbour, 23 years ago, to take part in one of the most significant industrial disputes in recent history — the attack on the Maritime Union of Australia. Here, she reflects on the power of solidarity.
Geelong Trades Hall Council is looking to address the region's lack of jobs by issuing a call for interested parties to start an Environmental Jobs Alliance. Sue Bull reports.
Sarah Hathway is a member of Resistance: Young Socialist Alliance and a social work student at Deakin University. She is running for the Socialist Alliance in the City of Greater Geelong council election with union activist Sue Bull. Sarah is a marriage equality activist and vice president of Geelong Rainbow.
Green Left Weekly’s Mia Sanders asked Sarah about the campaign.
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Anger with the two major parties was the clear winner this federal election as a quarter of the electorate gave their first preference to independents, Greens or minor parties.
The Socialist Alliance (SA) ran in the Senate in three states, and in four lower house seats. Despite its blanket exclusion from the corporate media, its reliance on small donations and its radical message, its votes increased in two lower house seats, dipped in two others and increased our Senate vote in NSW and WA compared to the previous election.
Former police prosecutor Peter Murrihy is the new councillor for the Kildare ward after winning the recent by-election in the Greater Geelong Council. Murrihy defeated 10 other candidates to win the safe Liberal ward with 27.41% of the primary vote.
Although Murrihy said he was politically unaffiliated, he received preferences from Liberal Party member Trent Sullivan. Much was made in the local media of the fact that Murrihy put forward no political promises or commitments during his campaign.
The Melbourne media have ignored the raised vote for socialists in the October 27 local government elections.
The Socialist Party’s sitting councillor Steve Jolly increased his vote from 29.2% in 2008 to 34.24% in the inner-city City of Yarra council. In other wards of Yarra Council, the Socialist Party increased its vote but did not retain its other sitting councilor, Anthony Main.
Since Jolly was elected, his vote has continued to rise. This is because he and the Socialist Party have used the council position to build campaigns in the local area.