By Bill Mason
BRISBANE — The Democratic Socialists are running two candidates in the March 15 election for the Brisbane City Council — Kathy Newnam for the ward of Central and Coral Wynter for the ward of Dutton Park.
The DS election manifesto calls for "a major council plan, developed with full community consultation, for a large-scale program of public works, including housing, road works such as traffic calming, bike-paths and parks, to create thousands of new full-time jobs in the BCC."
Announcing the campaign, Newnam said on February 14, "This contrasts markedly with the Howard government's proposal for a work for the dole scheme which provides no genuine jobs for young people and artificially hides the real unemployment crisis.
"The Democratic Socialists challenge the major parties to repudiate any form of work for the dole scheme and are pledging to block any plans to involve the BCC in implementing such a plan at the local level."
Newnam is 19 years old and currently unemployed. She has been active in environment and free education campaigns and in the National Organisation of Women Students Australia. Newnam is a regular seller of 91×ÔÅÄÂÛ̳ Weekly and writes for the paper. She is presently Brisbane organiser of the socialist youth organisation Resistance and a member of its national council.
Dr Coral Wynter, a 51 year old mother of two, is a biochemist currently working in a hospital on the genetics of bowel cancer. Wynter has been actively involved in community, social justice, peace and women's issues in Brisbane for 10 years and was previously a technical adviser to the Kingston Residents Against Toxic Substances (RATS). For many years she was secretary of the Brisbane Committee in Solidarity with Latin America and the Caribbean and involved in aid and human rights projects in Latin America.
Wynter is the Democratic Socialists' national spokesperson on the environment. "Our city urgently needs strong action to prevent pollution by big business, a massive boost to public transport over the private car industry and low-cost, accessible housing for low-income residents", Wynter said. "Kathy and myself will be campaigning on the Democratic Socialists' theme of 'Real jobs, not private profit'.
To find out more or to get involved in the Democratic Socialists' campaign telephone (07) 3254 0565 or contact the campaign office at 29 Terrace Street, New Farm.