Socialist Alliance and the PLP — 1
Your reporting on the Socialist Alliance and position of leading members of the PLP in Sydney and Canberra was ambiguous and created a false impression.
In Canberra there is, so far, no Socialist Alliance and individual members of the PLP will choose their own level of involvement should it become established.
At the moment there is only a watching brief.
In the past every effort was made to involve the Canberra DSP in the formation of the then New Labour Party, but the DSP provided only a paltry response.
Similar sour responses were received from the DSP in other centres.
Nonetheless the PLP welcomes any progressive moves towards greater unity of socialist and working class forces in Australia.
Chris Warren
Canberra
Socialist Alliance and the PLP — 2
In GLW #438, it was reported that "The Melbourne Branch of the Progressive Labour Party has recommended to the rest of the party that it too join the Socialist Alliance...". This is inaccurate.
At our February meeting, the Melbourne Branch of the PLP recommended that the party participate in initial discussions about formation of a Socialist Alliance and possible cooperation in the forthcoming federal election, but only on the basis that the PLP would not make a decision about joining any alliance until we have had an opportunity to discuss the proposal at our next National Council meeting.
While the PLP Melbourne Branch is positive about the Socialist Alliance proposal, we recommended only further inquiry, discussion and engagement. Such engagement will enable the PLP to make an informed national decision about whether to join the Alliance.
The PLP attended the meeting in Sydney on February 17 on this basis. Joining the Socialist Alliance is now a matter for the PLP's internal democratic structures to discuss, and those discussions are not assisted by public misrepresentation of internal party discussions.
Linda Gale
PLP Melbourne branch secretary
'Good on you, Piggies'
On March 3, I watched the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade in the company of socialists. The derision aimed at the NSW Police float was probably as fierce as that aimed at the Liberals.
I believe this is hollow posturing. Obviously socialists have problems with the armed part of the state, and clearly the history of homosexuals, trannies and the cops is not a happy one. But this is exactly the point.
The individual cops that choose to become Gay and Lesbian Liaison Officers and/or march in Mardi Gras are brave people. They are kicking against the pricks in a culture of extreme homophobia. And yet we boo them.
The rest of the crowd love them. They get one of the biggest, if not the biggest, cheers of the night. I would suggest that this is because their involvement is a political act. Granted the cheers reflect a lack of class consciousness in the Australian population. But still I think these individuals don't deserve our derision.
I applaud them for standing up for what they believe in. These people are trying to improve things from the inside. You may disagree with their methods, but their motives are sound.
Let's not whitewash the repression of the state and accept that all that cops say is good. Let's continue to try and get others in the queer community to think critically about the role of the state. But let's also give credit where it's due. Good on you, piggies!
Jen Crothers
Sydney
Lack of men's services
I read and re-read the article "Mislaid blame", (Ain't I a woman", GLW 436) and felt compelled to reply. As a global citizen, socialist and male I found myself feeling dismayed at this article which seeks to lay blame at the feet of people seeking to help other people who they feel are disadvantaged.
I could find no fault with the statements made by the federal minister for community services Larry Anthony and felt that no blame was directed at anyone (he is a politician after all). In fact, I am sure Larry Anthony thought he was doing the right thing.
I also cannot see how the "mens movement" would be assumed to "point the finger" at women! How secular that statement is! The fight for equality is a joint effort that does not need belittling by hopeless infighting amongst minority "men's" and "women's" groups.
I sympathise with fact that funds to women's services were cut but as a male during a separation crisis myself, I could find no services to assist me with the difficulties of a sudden break up. Have a look for yourself at the disparity in support services! I am also not religious or overly political nor am I a member of any organisation or group that begets an ideal lifestyle in return for support, so these options do suck.
I am however a member of the human race and do what I can to facilitate an equal playing field for all members. Left to my own resources and at my own low point, I decided that giving my life to a cause rather than taking my life was a logical choice.
For these reasons, I think that your article was ill thought through and allusive.
Django Van Buuren
Hobart
{Abridged.]
The gone Don
Don Bradman is dead. Now we brace ourselves for adulation due to a dead cricketer. But when the Australia East Timor Association we wrote to the man himself, care of the South Australian Cricket Board, for his signature to a letter demanding the Australian Government come clean on what it knows about the Indonesian military and its crimes, the letter was returned with the explanation that he did not wish to take part in public life in that way.
Some people tell me it is unfair to judge people on their willingness or otherwise to stick their necks out and sign a letter intended for publication. Certainly, Bradman was entitled to his privacy. But really, when are we going to stop giving bizarre hero status to people who have played sport, however well, and nothing else?
Forever, I will treasure the signature of one person, happy to sign our letter. The hand is shakey, and she died not long afterwards. That person was Judith Wright: who once said that the world needs activists more than it needs poets. As a great poet herself, it was rather self-deprecating. The world needs both. But yes, we need more people who will stand up for the underdog, for people, and against exploitative power.
It is tempting to say it ... We certainly need activists more than we need cricketers.
Stephen Langford
Sydney
ACF and corporate polluters
I wrote in last week's 91×ÔÅÄÂÛ̳ ("Friends of the Earth: friends of the revolution?", GLW #439) that the Australian Conservation Foundation has "jumped into bed with corporate polluters such as British Petroleum, BHP, and Rio Tinto".
In fact, while the ACF is involved in an unholy alliance with several corporate polluters, Rio Tinto is not involved in this love-in.
When the ACF released its Blueprint for a Sustainable Australia in October, Robin Batterham attended the cocktail-party launch at the Governor-General's residence — but he was invited in his capacity as the federal government's Chief Scientist, not in his capacity as a Rio Tinto employee.
A fine distinction perhaps, but it should be noted that the ACF's anti-nuclear campaigners have been lobbying and campaigning to pressure Rio Tinto not to develop the Jabiluka uranium mine or to on-sell the lease-holder Energy Resources of Australia.
The ACF's anti-nuclear campaigners have also played a significant role in the so-far successful campaign against nuclear waste dumping in South Australia. That success has resulted from the mobilisation of public opposition — not because of the strategic orientation of ACF heavies to corporate polluters.
Jim Green
Chippendale NSW