Bill Mason, Brisbane
Socialist Alliance candidates running in the February 7 Queensland elections have challenged Premier Peter Beattie and the ALP to "use their likely continued big majority in the state parliament after polling day to bring about significant changes in this state."
The Socialist Alliance is contesting three seats: Coral Wynter is running for the premier's seat of Brisbane Central, Lynda Hansen for South Brisbane, and Adrian Skerritt for Inala.
"The Labor Party under Beattie has dominated state parliament with a majority of 43 seats over the past three years, and what have the Queensland people got to show for it?" Wynter asked, on behalf of the Socialist Alliance team.
"What progressive changes have been implemented since 2001? We call on the premier to carry out some major reforms in the coming term.
"For a start, the ALP could easily repeal the anti-abortion laws in this state, and remove abortion from the criminal code once and for all — as the great majority of Queenslanders, women and men, favour. This would be a significant win for a women's right to choose.
"The Labor government could repay the stolen wages of Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders in full, as a matter of basic natural justice.
"The ambulance levy should be abolished. Broad-scale land clearing should be halted immediately.
"Privatisation and outsourcing of public services should be banned outright. Public housing should be massively expanded, not sold off and starved of funding.
"A major injection of new funds for schools and hospitals should be commenced, to defend the public health and education systems under attack on the federal and state levels.
"And Queensland should be declared a totally nuclear-free state. The Narangba nuclear irradiation plant should be closed. And no co-operation should be given to the Coalition government and the Australian military in their illegal occupation of Iraq", Wynter said.
Adrian Skerritt has recently returned from the Fourth World Social Forum, held in India (see reports on page 15), an event he believes holds some lessons for Queenslanders.
"The forum sent a clear message that we are able to defend our social services, that our resources should not be directed towards an unjust and brutal occupation of Iraq", he said.
Skerritt also said that "debates at the forum took up issues that are important in Inala, like the rights of Indigenous people and public housing".
Skerritt discussed the stolen wages campaign. "Thousands of Aboriginal workers who worked in the cattle industry were not paid proper wages. A number of these workers now live in Inala. Many received no income at all. Those workers must be paid in full.
"This government has turned its back on its supporters. It has sold off at least 400 public houses in Inala to real estate firms over the last 4 years. It had no right to do this", Skerritt said.
For further information or to help with the Socialist Alliance campaign for the Queensland elections: ring (03) 3831 2644 or email <brisbane@socialist-alliance.org> or visit .
From 91×ÔÅÄÂÛ̳ Weekly, January 28, 2004.
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