Brisbane candidates in policy debate
By Maurice Sibelle
BRISBANE — Candidates for the seat of Brisbane from the Democratic Socialists, ALP, Liberals, Greens and Democrats debated policy in a meeting held by the Herston/Kelvin Grove Residents Action Group here on February 8.
Exploring the topic "Federal Elections and Local Community Development", the meeting heard discussion and debate on topics close to the hearts of the local residents, such as bikeways, traffic calming, public transport and community consultation, and as well on burning questions of unemployment, job creation and the economic crisis.
Democratic Socialist candidate Susan Price commented after the meeting, "It was certainly an opportunity for the people attending this meeting to see for themselves the weakness of the major parties in addressing important issues such as welfare and job creation.
"Clearly the economic rationalist approach, which is still being pursued by both the ALP and the Coalition parties, is at a loss to solve the worsening crisis."
The Democratic Socialist platform received quite a favourable response from the meeting, although as Price continued, "it's often difficult to get a word in amidst the filibustering of the Labor and Liberal candidates".
On the question of why so many candidates from alternative parties were running in the same electorate, Price said that this was a setback for the progressive movement. She would be in favour of an alliance of parties similar to the Green Alliance campaign which contested the Brisbane City Council elections in 1991.
"For the left, green and progressive forces in Australia, this is the logical way to go to achieve results and avoid splitting the alternative vote. Unfortunately, the ALP and Coalition have a lot to gain from the present situation, and if we want to present a real challenge to the status quo, we must work together."