Socialist Alliance Illawarra

Jess Moore: 'Rising Star'

2011-11-07T12:54:00.003+11:00

JESS Moore, the public face of the Stop-CSG movement in the Illawarra, has been named Rising Star at the Nature Conservation Council of NSW’s annual awards. Stop-CSG Illawarra also won the Council’s Marie Byles Award for the most outstanding new environmental campaign, which has included mass public protests in the form of a human sign at Austinmer Beach and a march across the Sea Cliff Bridge.Ms Moore said she lived and breathed the campaign, dedicating up to 40 hours a week to the cause. 'It’s all I talk about and all I think about.'

To read the full Northern Exposure article click here.

The people Vs coal seam gas

2011-11-05T13:00:00.000+11:00

By Jess Moore

Saturday November 5, 2011

The rapid growth of the coal seam gas (CSG) industry — despite broad public opposition and proven risks — is bringing the gap between policy and public will into stark relief.Research remains limited, but there is mounting evidence CSG mining poses serious risks.

The industry puts huge demand on water supplies, particularly ground water, damages aquifers and produces large quantities of contaminated water that can pollute soil and water sources. It divides the landscape with roads, wells and pipelines, and can cause seismic activity and subsidence.

For full article click here.

#Occupy Wollongong meeting!

2011-10-31T10:29:00.003+11:00

Thursday November 3, 6.30pm @ Illawarra Activist Centre, 17/157 Crown Street Wollongong.

In solidarity with the Occupy movement being held in cities around the world, a meeting to gauge interest in holding a rally and the possibility of an ongoing occupation in Wollongong. Come along and share your thoughts about the prospects of staging an uprising of our own against state-corporate power in Australia's most radical town.

For Facebook invite click here.

For ongoing coverage of the world wide #Occupy movement, bookmark Green Left Weekly here.

‘They unwittingly unleashed a powerful community campaign’

2011-10-23T10:23:00.000+11:00

Jess Moore from Stop CSG Illawarra addressed Occupy Sydney at Martin Place on October 22. Moore, who is also a member of the Socialist Alliance, was awared the NSW Nature Conservation Council's Rising Star award for "the most outstanding environmental effort of an individual under 30". The intro to her speech appears below. For the full speech click here.

'To increase the wealth of the already astoundingly wealthy, the tiny few, the planet that sustains all life is being destroyed. As the world’s leading climatologist James Hansen said, this is our last chance to save humanity.

At the same time we’re seeing the 1%, and the institutions that represent them, roll out the most environmentally destructive practices the world has ever seen.

This system is in crisis because you cannot have the constant growth that capitalism requires on a finite planet.'

Giant rally held in Illawarra to Stop CSG

2011-10-18T10:19:00.000+11:00

Stop CSG Illawarra released the statement below on October 16.

* * *

More than 3000 people walked across the iconic Sea Cliff Bridge today in opposition to coal seam gas (CSG) mining. Simultaneously, abseilers lowered a banner from the escarpment that said: "This community has spoken. Stop CSG".

Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery, and councillors George Takacs, Lee Colacino, Bede Crasnich, Vicki Curran, Jill Merrin and Greg Petty attended the walk.

Click here for full statement.

Jess Moore: 'communities are more powerful than government'!

2011-09-19T09:35:00.002+10:00

Put the steelworks in public hands to save jobs!

2011-09-16T09:15:00.006+10:00

Friday September 16, 2011

In light of today's news that another 69 workers will be out of work by Christmas, here's Socialist Alliance's August 23 statement on BlueScope's recent cutbacks:

BlueScope Steel Ltd. announced on August 22 that it would shut two production facilities and shed 1000 jobs as part of a restructure aimed at turning around a $1.05 billion annual loss.

This will mean the shutdown of a blast furnace at Port Kembla in the Illawarra region of New South Wales and closure of its Western Port hot strip mill in Victoria.

The Port Kembla closure will result in 800 job losses, while at least 200 jobs will be cut at Western Port.

According to the Green Jobs Illawarra Action Plan, one third of the Illawarra region’s manufacturing workforce of 18,000 are direct or contract employees of BlueScope Steel.

These cuts will be devastating to communities already suffering from high unemployment and underemployment. The $3 million worth of bonuses BlueScope executives are paying themselves is a further slap in the face for retrenched workers.

Read the full statement here.

Wollongong elects progressive mayor!

2011-09-04T15:05:00.000+10:00

Sunday September 4, 2011

At the end of the night of Wollongong's council elections, September 3, it seemed likely voters had elected Gordon Bradbery, a progressive independent, as lord mayor.

Bradbery won 33.9% of the primary vote and is expected to win on preferences. The Liberals’ John Dorahy won 23.4% of the primary, Labor’s Chris Connor 19.7%, the Greens’ Jill Merrin 5.9% and Community Voice’s Michael Organ 4.1%.

Votes in the wards were still being counted as Green Left Weekly went to print, but it’s clear the once Labor dominated council will have a very different make up.

It’s likely the Greens will win two council positions, alongside four positions for each of the major parties, and two independents will also be elected.

The incoming council will be tasked with revitalising community democracy in Wollongong, protecting the region’s escarpment from unsustainable development and generating local jobs.

Votes in the Shellharbour Council election were still being counted as GLW went to print, but it looks likely the major parties will take two positions each. Progressive independent Peter Moran is still in the running for one of the final positions.

From Green Left Weekly

Jess Moore talks to WIN TV about coal seam gas

2011-08-02T20:03:00.001+10:00

We need a moratorium on all CSG projects

2011-07-28T16:30:00.004+10:00

Thursday July 23, 2011

Stop CSG Illawarra

MEDIA STATEMENT

On July 21 the O’Farrell Government announced changes to coal seam gas rules. For new, but not existing, approvals there will be: a moratorium on fracking until December 31; a ban on the use of evaporation ponds; miners will require a water licence to extract more than 3 million

litres of groundwater per year; a ban on the use of BTEX chemicals (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes) as additives during coal seam gas drilling; and an obligation to put the details of mining approvals and conditions online.

Spokesperson Jess Moore stated: "These changes mark small steps in the right direction, and reflect the strength of the community campaign to date, but are completely inadequate.

"If the government acknowledges the need for a moratorium on new fracking projects - given the risks it poses to water and agriculture - it should declare a moratorium on all fracking, because the same concerns apply.

"The December 31 deadline is completely arbitrary. This industry cannot be adequately regulated until the full impacts of CSG mining are known. For that we need a full moratorium until the outcome of a Royal Commission.

"While the banning of BTEX for drilling is a positive step, the fact remains that BTEX can occur naturally in coal seams and be present in water that must be drawn out of the seam to access the gas.

"There's rhetoric in the government announcement about community consultation but substance is what we need. The only concrete commitment is to put approved sites and conditions online for people to access. Telling communities where they stand after the fact is not consultation.

"We are worried because all CSG mining involves contaminated water, not just fracking. The extraction of gas draws water out of the coal seam that is highly saline and can contain toxic and radioactive compounds, heavy metals and endocrine disruptors.

"An executive member of APEX told us that they are considering draining this water through the geology of the escarpment, into coastal waters, to minimise the use of evaporation ponds and road tankers for disposal.

"All CSG mining is a fire hazard, as wells, processing plants and pipelines leak.

"All CSG mining risks a range of health impacts such as heart, lung, kidney and neurological problems and cancer.

“It is clear the government is moving too slowly and that these measures fall far short given the threats posed by CSG. The fact remains that this industry does not have a social licence to proceed. Local members need to listen to and back the community.”

Visit Stop CSG Illawarra website here.

Ticket bids for community voice on Wollongong council

2011-06-27T12:42:00.002+10:00

By Chris Williams

Saturday June 25, 2011 - Community Voice, a united ticket of the left and progressive community in Wollongong, was formed on June 18 after a thorough discussion focussed on putting local council back in the hands of the community.

More than 40 people attended including, Reverend Gordon Bradbery, who nearly won the seat of Wollongong in the recent NSW election; Dr Munir Hussain, chairperson of the Omar Mosque; leading members of progressive parties the Greens and the Socialist Alliance; independent and community activists; trade unionists and other activists.

The meeting adopted a platform based on community democracy, sustainability, socially useful development and job creation.

For full article click here.

Thousands spell out opposition to coal seam gas

2011-06-06T11:01:00.005+10:00

By Chris Williams

Saturday June 4, 2011 - More than 3000 people turned out to Austinmer beach in the Illawarra on May 29 to form a “STOP COAL SEAM GAS!” human sign. Three helicopters, each from a big media outlet, circled above the cheering and waving crowd to film the historic event.

Check out all the pictures and media coverage by visiting Stop CSG Illawarra's website.

A big team of more than 40 volunteers from Stop CSG Illawarra helped make the day such a success. There were people marking out the letters and walkways from 6.30am, marshals (for letters, words, walkways and counting protesters to fill each letter), stall staffers, barbeque organisers, photographers (in the chopper, on the ground, on the headland), media spokespeople, donations collectors, video documenters, internet uploaders and designers, entertainers and more. Many people have congratulated the “superb” organisation of the event — this is all thanks to the wonderful team of volunteers.

The news footage, captured by WIN TV, Seven News and the ABC, was simply incredible. The action was the front page feature of the May 30 Illawarra Mercury. Photos have now been sent around the world via AAP.

For full article click here.

Wollongong left: can we unite for elections?

2011-06-06T10:55:00.003+10:00

By Chris Williams

Saturday June 4, 2011 - More than 40 people attended a meeting on May 22 in Corrimal titled, “The future of local government in Wollongong; can it be community driven and democratic”?

Wollongong City Council has been under adminstration since March 2008 after the ALP-dominated council was sacked for systemic corruption.

An election is scheduled for September 3 for all councillor positions, including Lord Mayor.

Trade unionists, socialists, Greens and community activists attended the meeting, which was organised by Broad Left.

Participants discussed ways to deepen community democracy, increase participation in local politics and policy ideas for left candidates.

An important discussion focused on left collaboration for the council elections. Several of the meeting participants were signatories to a call out for the progressive community to unite for the elections.

The call out, which is independent of Broad Left, said: “[Left independent] Gordon Bradbery’s campaign in the seat of Wollongong [in the recent NSW elections] showed that the community can challenge the major parties.

“It showed that we can convince large numbers of people to vote for a real alternative. We can make a difference in the council elections, and create a real community voice, but only if we unite.

“A united, full ticket of community independents — backed by progressive groups and individuals including the trade unions, Greens, socialists, young people, migrant communities and other independent activists could reclaim Wollongong and Shellharbour councils for the good of the community.

“This approach may be our only chance to avoid major political party interests controlling councils here in the Illawarra.

“If we continue with business as usual and stay divided its hard to see what can change. But if we can seize the opportunity to unite we can begin to take the Illawarra in a new direction: away from corruption scandals, exclusion and poverty, and toward good governance, sustainable policies, jobs and inclusive local politics.”

Supporters of the call out for a united ticket will organise a meeting in the coming weeks. For details phone Felix Bronneberg on 0434 264 171 or Mike Donaldson on 0420 889 565.

Beach protest against coal seam gas

2011-05-21T18:40:00.000+10:00

Saturday May 21, 2011

By Chris Williams

The Illawarra community plans to take action on May 29 to press their case for a moratorium on coal seam gas mining in the area.

A mass human sign to spell the words “Stop Coal Seam Gas!” is organised at 11am that day on Austinmer beach, north of Wollongong.

The organiser, Stop CSG Illawarra, is confident of a large turnout. The group’s regular organising meetings have attracted 100 or more people.

The group has letterboxed 30,000 leaflets publicising the event and outlining the dangers of coal seam gas.

Eight local neighbourhood forums have declared their support for the campaign and all of the area’s state MPs have been notified.

Residents are concerned because 15 exploration wells have been approved in the area — four of which are situated in the Sydney water catchment.

Coal seam gas drilling produces contaminated water, is a bushfire risk due to leaky wells and pipelines, and the industry has a global warming impact as bad if not worse than coal, over a 20 year period.

Community groups such as Stop CSG Illawarra are carrying out what the government should be doing: informing the community of the dangers of CSG and explaining what’s happening and where.

For more details visit http://stop-csg-illawarra.org/

Gas company set straight

2011-05-02T13:34:00.001+10:00

Saturday April 30, 2011

By Kerry Smith

The chief operating officer for Apex Energy NL, Chris Rogers, contacted Stop CSG Illawarra on April 5.

He accused the group, which is campaigning against coal seam gas (CSG) projects in the region, of publishing two inaccuracies on its website: that drilling had already commenced and that CSG’s contribution to global warming is equally as bad, if not worse, than coal.

Jess Moore, spokesperson for Stop CSG Illawarra, responded to Rogers on April 22. She said the community has a right to know the full facts of CSG mining and that a Royal Commission into all impacts of CSG mining is needed.

Moore said: “The first point you make is contradictory. You say ‘drilling has not commenced at all’ and ‘drilling took place in early 2004’. As the Darkes Forest-1 well has been drilled, we stand by the comment that ‘drilling has already commenced’ …

For the full article click here.

BlueScope exaggerates impact of carbon price

2011-04-18T16:06:00.002+10:00

By Kerrie Smith, Wollongong

Sunday April 17, 2011 - Steel manufacturer BlueScope is exaggerating the impact of a carbon price said the April 9 Sydney Morning Herald.

“Last month BlueScope said a carbon price of $25 a tonne would wipe $300 million to $400 million off its bottom line but analysts at Deutsche Bank quickly pointed out that ignored compensation," SMH journalist Paddy Manning said.

“Based on BlueScope's 2009-10 emissions of 12.2 million tonnes, they calculated the company's carbon liability in 2012-13 would be about $30.5 million, or 7.4% of its forecasts for the company's net profit after tax."

Noel Thompson, a physicist and former general superintendent at BlueScope, told the SMH the company will make money "hand over fist" when the business cycle turns.

"With largely depreciated plant and improved productivity — the company has greatly reduced its Australian workforce over the past decade, to about 9000 employees now — BlueScope should be “easily competitive” internationally', he said.

Thompson considered BlueScope's threats to move offshore empty, saying the “cost of capital is a killer for the concept”.

Blaming their $55 million loss for the six months to December 2010, BlueScope has again delayed building a cogeneration plant at its Port Kembla steelworks, technology that could cut emissions by 900,000 tonnes a year.

Thompson said Bluescope’s directors and top executives “lack technical experience and have failed to innovate — to try to use renewable energy to generate heat during the steelmaking process, for example, or to find alternatives to coking coal”.

Chris Williams, Socialist Alliance spokesperson in the Illawarra, said this news highlights the need for the government to force BlueScope to fast track plans to build a cogeneration plant.

"BlueScope has known about the need to reduce emissions for decades. Their plan to build the plant in stages over 10 years is just not good enough,” he said.

"How much money has BlueScope saved over the years from laying off workers? If they persist with arguing they can't afford to reduce emissions, the government should require them to open their books. If they refuse, they should be placed in public hands.

"The Australian people could then decide to immediately start construction on the cogen plant and fast track plans to transition to a cleaner manufacturing process,” Williams said.

From Green Left Weekly

Port Kembla community garden in the Weekender

2011-04-08T13:30:00.004+10:00

The Port Kembla community garden was featured in the Illawarra Mercury's Weekender on Saturday April 2, 2011. Check out some images from the cover here.

Dan Deighton, pictured at bottom of photo, started the garden in 1995 and it has grown into an amazing and inspiring community project. Using permaculture principles, the garden teaches sustainability. But it's also about social inclusion and engagment with the community.

Dan and the folks pictured here helped Socialist Alliance organise our 2010 Green Left Weekly solidarity dinner, held in the Port Kembla community centre. Socialist Alliance member Jess Moore is quite active at the garden (she's pictured third from right).

To get involved or find out more about the garden contact Dan on 4274 1424 or caredesign@bigpond.com

Does a carbon price mean the end of Australian steelmaking?

2011-04-05T15:48:00.003+10:00

Sunday April 3, 2011

By Chris Williams

Manufacturer BlueScope Steel has been at the forefront of the campaign against the carbon price proposed by Labor and the Greens.

Chief Executive Paul O'Malley has argued it could spell “the end of steel manufacturing in Australia”; something the Opposition Leader Tony Abbott agreed with during a recent tour of BlueScope's steelworks in Port Kembla.

Both have said that a price on carbon would threaten the company's profitability and therefore force operations offshore in search of cheaper labour.

The Australian Workers’ Union (AWU) has said BlueScope’s comments were “scaremongering”, but workers at the Port Kembla plant are worried about their jobs.

BlueScope and Abbott have implied that the cost of any action to cut the industry's emissions would be automatically passed on to workers through job losses.

The big contradiction in their argument is that no action to reduce emissions will really mean the end of the steel industry in Australia. For example, a sea-level rise of one metre would devastate infrastructure at the Port Kembla plant.

Click here for full article.

Paola Harvey live on ABC!

2011-03-24T19:31:00.001+11:00

Thursday March 24, 2011

Listen to Paola, Socialist Alliance candidate for Keira, live on local ABC radio for the debate between candidates standing in the Keira electorate. She joins the Greens' George Takacs, Labor's Ryan Park and the Liberals' John Dorahy.

Listen to the full debate here: http://blogs.abc.net.au/nsw/2011/03/keira-candidate-debate.html?site=illawarra&program=illawarra_mornings

Government's responsibility to protect steel jobs and cut emissions

2011-03-24T10:28:00.003+11:00

** MEDIA RELEASE **

Wednesday March 23, 2011 - Local candidates for the Socialist Alliance have condemned the attitude of the two major parties towards action on climate change. They have also renewed calls for BlueScope Steel to build the cogeneration plant. Tony Abbott's visit to the steelworks and Ross Garnaut's comments that BlueScope should receive "assistance" for "90 per cent of their obligation" to reduce pollution have put the issue back in the spotlight.

Paola Harvey, Socialist Alliance candidate for the seat of Keira, said: "Tony Abbott doesn't even acknowledge the scientific consensus on climate change, he claims that carbon dioxide isn't a villain. How can we trust his comments on local industry when he displays no understanding of climate science?

"The truth is, the framework for a price on carbon, giving way to an emissions trading scheme, is a step in the wrong direction. Ross Garnaut's comments that BlueScope should only have to pay for 10% of its pollution shows how ineffective this sheme could end up being. If the big polluters can easily absorb the cost without changing their practices, then what's the point?

"BlueScope have known about the need to seriously reduce emissions for many years. They recently reneged on their greenhouse gas reduction deal with the state government by putting off building the cogeneration plant. The plant would reduce carbon emissions by 900,000 tonnes a year, but the steelworks have used excuse after excuse for the delays in construction.

"There is already too much carbon in the atmosphere; we need to reduce emissions across the board including in the steel industry. The state government should require the steelworks to start construction on the cogen plant now. If BlueScope can't afford to take this action they should be required to open their books to workers and the community. If they refuse they should be placed under public ownership, not given more handouts. Why should BlueScope's profits be placed ahead of a safe climate future?

Wollongong-based Legislative Council candidate for the Socialist Alliance, Patrick Harrison, argued: "The standard corporate response to any loss in profitability is to pass the cost onto workers. We've seen this with the steelworks during the recession of the 1980s, and if our state government does nothing, we could see it again in response to this carbon tax. But a publicly owned steel industry would mean the government could guarantee jobs and take action to make the industry cleaner.

"We need state and federal governments to be taking bold action in the face of the greatest threat our species has ever faced. Instead, Abbott is using Labor's carbon tax as another excuse to whip up fear and xenophobia, claiming that China and Indonesia will take our jobs.

"Mr Abbott's comments assume that this is an inevitable move - but the truth is, governments have a responsibility to protect jobs and the economy in a regional area like the Illawarra. Corporate hand-outs aren't going to stop companies moving offshore to cut costs - we saw that with Pacific Brands, which received millions of dollars of government assistance before moving offshore. Instead, we need a government that's willing to stand up to big business and stop them from moving our industry offshore.

"Neither the Coalition nor Labor is willing to do this. If the people of the Illawarra wish to protect their local industry and jobs, then they should vote 1 Socialist Alliance on March 26', Harrison concluded.

100 people at first Stop CSG meeting

2011-03-15T10:24:00.003+11:00

Over 100 people attended the first organising meeting of Stop CSG Illawarra on Sunday March 13 in Thirroul.
Residents are concerned about 15 approvals for coal seam gas mining exploration in their local area. Stop CSG Illawarra resolved to call for a Royal Comission into all aspects of CSG; a moratorium on CSG until the outcome of the Royal Comission; and a ban on 'fracking', a controversial and dangerous form of CSG mining.
Check out this article and photo from the online media outlet, Northern Exposure: http://blog.nio.net.au/residents-rally-against-csg-mining

Paola speaks to Wollongong IWD

2011-03-14T11:15:00.003+11:00

Watch Socialist Alliance candidate for Keira, Paola Harvey's, speech to Wollongong's International Women's Day rally, held on Saturday March 12, 2011. The main demand of the action was 'equal pay for equal work', and strongly supported the Australian Services Union's (ASU) campaign for pay equity.

One hundred years of International Women’s Day

2011-03-08T10:38:00.001+11:00

Socialist Alliance statement, March 7, 2011:

This month, women’s rights campaigners around Australia and the world will celebrate the 100th International Women’s Day.

There could be no more fitting testament to the meaning of IWD than the words of one of the thousands of Egyptian women who joined the democracy protests in Liberation Square in Cairo last month. The people’s struggle to be rid of dictator Hosni Mubarak, she said, is also a struggle for women’s rights: "[Before] we had nothing, now I guess we will take everything."

IWD was born in a time of great social turbulence and massive struggles by ordinary people for a better life. In 1909, a strike of 30,000 garment workers in the United States, mainly migrant women, almost shut down the garment industry. It lasted for three months and won the right to organise and bargain collectively, and improved wages and working conditions.

For full statement visit: http://www.socialist-alliance.org/page.php?page=1095

Wollongong community rally for Libyan people

2011-03-07T11:19:00.004+11:00

Over 100 people rallied in support of the Libyan people on Saturday march 5, demanding Libyan dictator Gaddafi step down immediately. They also demanded 'no military intervention' from Western powers.

Speakers included Dr Munir Hussain, chairman Omar Mosque; Gordon Bradbery, Independent candidate for Wollongong; Paola Harvey, Socialist Alliance candidate for Keira; and Libyan students. AJ Corradini chaired the action.

The article pictured here is from today's Illawarra Mercury.

To watch Paola's speech to the rally visit: http://paolaharveyforkeira.blogspot.com/2011/03/paola-speaks-to-free-libya-rally.html

Equal Pay NOW, rally March 12 in Wollongong

2011-03-06T11:53:00.000+11:00

Next Saturday, March 12 at 12.30pm at the Wollongong Mall amphitheatre, join the rally for International Women's Day demanding equal pay for equal work.

The article pictured right is from today's Illawarra Mercury and explains some of the background to IWD.

SA member Marg Perrott is quoted in the article, and SA member Jess Moore is pictured holding the lead banner :)

The central demand of the rally is 'pay equity now', in particular in support of the campaign being waged by the Australian Services Union (ASU). For more information on the campaign visit http://www.asu.asn.au/sacs/payup.html

Paola speaks to 'meet the candidates' forums

2011-03-04T09:52:00.007+11:00

Our Socialist Alliance candidate for Keira, Paola Harvey, has been very busy this past week, speaking at numerous 'meet the candidate' forums and public meetings. She's pictured at the forum organised by Illawarra care workers.

In addition to the meetings listed below, she addressed the forum organised by the Maritime Union veterans on Tuesday March 1 and was very well received. Unfortunately she had to give apologies to the forum organised by Education Directions (body representing non-government schools) because it clashed with the NF5 meeting. Tomorrow she will speak at the rally in support of the Libyan people, and has been invited to the Labour Council public forum next week too.

Check out the following reports (including links to her speeches):

Paola speaks to Cancer Council: http://paolaharveyforkeira.blogspot.com/2011/02/paola-addresses-cancer-council-meeting.html

Paola speaks to Illawarra carers forum: http://paolaharveyforkeira.blogspot.com/2011/03/paola-speaks-to-illawarra-community.html

Paola speaks to local neighbourhood forum: http://paolaharveyforkeira.blogspot.com/2011/03/paola-addresses-local-neighbourhood.html

Paola speaks to locals opposing coalmine expansion: http://paolaharveyforkeira.blogspot.com/2011/03/no-new-coal-in-russell-vale.html

Nationalise the steelworks!

2011-03-02T10:49:00.002+11:00

This article appears in today's Illawarra Mercury, it's from our media release commenting on the debate surrounding BlueScope Steel and a carbon tax.

According to Patrick Harrison, Socialist Alliance candidate for the Legislative Council: 'BlueScope threatening to move their operations offshore is short-sighted fearmongering. Such a move would be devastating to working people and the unemployed in Wollongong, who already face a high unemployment rate. The proposed carbon tax isn't behind BlueScope's threats; their unquenchable thirst for profits – at the expense of jobs and our planet - is.

'We shouldn't allow companies such as BlueScope to hold our future hostage. Politicians should have the courage to stand up to the big polluters and expose their lies. If BlueScope moves offshore it will be to further maximise their profits, not because they were 'forced' by a policy decision such as a carbon tax. Ours is a serious approach that puts the needs of people and the planet before profit.

For the full media statement, scroll down this blog.

Keira campaign in Mercury

2011-03-02T09:43:00.001+11:00

Check out this little article from yesterday'sIllawarra Mercury, covering the launch of Paola's campaign at the free shuttle bus stop at the Uni of Wollongong.

According to Paola: 'Public transport in NSW has been seriously neglected, but the free shuttle in Wollongong shows the benefits of an efficient, frequent and free service. Nearly five million passengers have now used the shuttle, an astounding success. Why not learn the lesson and dramatically expand the idea to encourage more people to leave the car at home'?

The launch was also covered by local ABC, Prime TV and i98 radio.

Click here for the full media statement: http://paolaharveyforkeira.blogspot.com/2011/02/campaign-launch-make-all-public.html

Community leaders take a stand against racism

2011-03-01T10:25:00.003+11:00

The following statement, initiated by the Illawarra Socialist Alliance, seeks to build a community consensus against racism and for solidarity and social justice. Signatories so far are listed below.

Take a stand against racism

We condemn the recent comments made by ministers and members of the Liberal Party whose actions aim to divide the community based on racial and religious grounds. On February 17th the Sydney Morning Herald reported that in December 2010 the opposition spokesperson for immigration, Scott Morrison, had urged the shadow cabinet to capitalise on the electorate’s growing concerns about 'Muslim immigration', 'Muslims in Australia' and the alleged 'inability' of Muslim migrants to integrate.

The evidence of how this strategy is playing out is obvious. The Liberal Party adopted One Nation's policy to cut foreign aid. Morrison said it was not appropriate for taxpayers to fly some relatives of victims of the Christmas Island disaster to Sydney to attend family funerals. Peter Hartcher pointed out in the Sydney Morning Herald, 'Some were Christian funerals, others were Muslim. But all of them were foreigners, all of them were boat people, all of them were dark-skinned, and to Morrison that made them all fair game.'

Tony Abbott, Liberal Party leader, endorsed these comments at the time. Later on, both he and Morrison said that only the timing of the comments were insensitive, not the comments themselves. Since then, Liberal senator Cory Bernadi has stated that 'Islam is a totalitarian, political and religious ideology' and 'Islam itself is the problem.'

All those who believe in a fair and just society should reject these racist, xenophobic and religiously intolerant comments publicly. Not only are they offensive, they are dangerous because they fuel harassment, vilification and violence against specific religious and ethnic groups. No-one wants to see a repeat of the ugly Cronulla riots of 2005. The Liberal Party choose to risk this happening again.

It’s time for the community to stand together, to stand shoulder to shoulder with our brothers and sisters from the Islamic and Arabic communities in solidarity against racism and prejudice. We hope others will join this campaign for freedom of religious expression and social justice. We call on the Liberal party to stop its attacks on immigrants and people of the Islamic faith.

Signed:
Gordon Bradbery, Independent candidate for the seat of Wollongong
Dr Munir Hussain, Chairman Omar Mosque
Illawarra Socialist Alliance

Lead letter in today's Illawarra Mercury

2011-02-28T18:24:00.003+11:00

This is the lead letter in today's Illawarra Mercury, from local Socialist Alliance member Ash Pemberton. He discusses the revolutions taking place across the Arab world and takes aim at 'racist stereotypes'. Check it out.

Steel production for people and planet - not profit!

2011-02-28T17:05:00.002+11:00

** MEDIA RELEASE **

Monday February 28, 2011 – The Illawarra Socialist Alliance has described BlueScope Steel's comments regarding a carbon tax as dishonest fearmongering. It has renewed calls for the Australian government to guarantee jobs in the steel industry and to get serious about reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Patrick Harrison, Wollongong based Socialist Alliance candidate for the Legislative Council, said: 'BlueScope threatening to move their operations offshore is short-sighted fearmongering. Such a move would be devastating to working people and the unemployed in Wollongong, who already face a high unemployment rate. The proposed carbon tax isn't behind BlueScope's threats; their unquenchable thirst for profits – at the expense of jobs and our planet - is.

'BlueScope, one of the top three polluters in the country, has known of the need to reduce pollution for decades; certainly since BHP first proposed building a cogeneration plant in 1998. Blaming the carbon tax is their latest excuse to cover the fact that they haven't allocated serious resources to reducing their carbon footprint. They also blame their last six-monthly loss but what about previous profits?

'Our scientists are telling us we need to dramatically reduce carbon emissions across all sectors or risk an uninhabitable planet. To do this we will need a strong manufacturing base - for the roll out of renewable energy or expansion of public transport for example. The steel industry needs to develop along sustainable lines as part of this process. Firstly, plans to build the co-generation plant - which could save one million tonnes of greenhouse gases each year – should be restarted. Secondly, resources need to be allocated to reduce the carbon intensity of the production process itself, something BlueScope is already researching with the possible replacement of coal with bio-mass as a reductant.

'A safe climate future depends on all of us helping to reduce carbon emissions. If BlueScope says it 'can't afford' to, then the government should require it to open its books to workers and the community. If BlueScope refuses this it should be placed in public hands for the common good. The government could then guarantee jobs in the community and a serious plan to reduce emissions.

Paola in the Northern Leader

2011-02-28T16:32:00.000+11:00

Check out this article from the Northern Leader, profiling Paola's campaign.

Unfortunately this was the last edition of the Leader as it's ceased publishing. The Leaderprovided excellent coverage of a range of community campaigns including defence of Sandon Point and the struggle for marriage equality.

Campaign launch: 'Make all public transport frequent and free’

2011-02-24T15:25:00.004+11:00

** MEDIA RELEASE **

Thursday February 24, 2011 - Paola Harvey, Socialist Alliance candidate for Keira, will launch her campaign this Monday February 28, 10am at the University of Wollongong's main bus interchange on Northfields Avenue, Gwynneville. She will be joined by local Socialist Alliance candidates for the Legislative Council, Jess Moore and Patrick Harrison.

The theme of the launch, ‘make all public transport frequent and free’, is a key campaign priority for Harvey. It reflects Socialist Alliance’s commitment to job creation, social justice and immediate action to combat climate change.

‘Public transport in NSW has been seriously neglected, but the free shuttle in Wollongong shows the benefits of an efficient, frequent and free service. Nearly five million passengers have now used the shuttle, an astounding success. Why not learn the lesson and dramatically expand the idea to encourage more people to leave the car at home?’ said Harvey.

For full media release visit http://paolaharveyforkeira.blogspot.com/2011/02/campaign-launch-make-all-public.html

NSW: Reverse the power sell-off

2011-02-21T14:18:00.001+11:00

Below is Jess Moore's speech to the “Stop the sell-off” rally in Wollongong on February 6. Moore is a Socialist Alliance candidate for the Legislative Council in the NSW elections. She addressed the rally on behalf of the Wollongong Climate Action Network (WCAN).

***

We all know that privatisation means increased prices, we know that it means less reliable services, we know that it means job cuts to the public sector, and it means disregard for the environment.

The environment is a social justice question — all people need a safe environment. Those who will suffer most if our environment becomes unstable are the poor and the disadvantaged because they will have the least protection from dangerous climate change.

To read full speech visit http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/46752

For a moratorium on coal seam gas mining

2011-02-18T10:51:00.005+11:00

** MEDIA RELEASE **

Friday February 18, 2011 - Socialist Alliance calls on the state government to place a moratorium on coal seam gas (CSG) mining.

The revelation that the Keneally government gave the go-ahead to CSG mines in the Illawarra has outraged many. Fifteen CSG wells were recently approved for development in the Northern Illawarra under Part 3A of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act and APEX has an additional well application currently before the NSW Department of Planning. These wells are in and around the Sydney Water Catchment, and pose a direct threat to our water supply.

Jess Moore, Socialist Alliance candidate for the NSW Legislative Council, stated:

‘We join others in the call for a moratorium on coal seam gas mining.

‘Our concerns include possible physical damage to the environment, groundwater loss, groundwater and surface contamination, toxic chemical use, untreatable 'produced water', leaky wells, increased risk of bush fires and gas explosions; many of which pose a high risk to industry workers.

‘The most well known — and unpopular — method is hydraulic fracturing, or fracking. Both Labor and the Coalition in NSW now acknowledge the harmful chemicals used in this process, though they have not been banned. Fracking chemicals are associated with cancer, liver and kidney problems, and damage to the immune and nervous systems.

‘But all CSG methods result in untreatable ‘produced water’, containing toxins that are impossible to remove. Water associated with coal seams is also known to contain elevated concentrations of radionuclides including uranium, radium and radon.

‘Traces of toxic chemicals have already been found at several drill sites in Queensland.’

In 2007, NSW legislation was changed to allow petroleum and gas exploration in state conservation and drinking water catchment areas. In the case of the Illawarra bores, the NSW Department of Mineral Resources also requested that the 2009 Local Environment Plan rezone Sydney Catchment Authority lands west of the escarpment to permit CSG mining. The unelected, state government-appointed administrators at Wollongong City Council complied.

‘The legislation is set up to enable the expansion of CSG at the expense of residents,’ continued Moore.

‘Legislation designed to protect our drinking water and conservation areas has been overturned.

‘Part 3A grants the Planning Minister complete control over all aspects of the approval process for development projects, including gas drilling. Human health and safety, our fresh water supply, the environment, and community will, can and are being disregarded.

‘Apart from some Darkes Forest land owners, whose approval on leases was required, the community was not consulted or even contacted. If CSG is safe, why have plans been kept secret?

‘We need to put people and the planet before mining industry profits.

‘There has to be a full public inquiry into the health and environmental impacts of CSG, and the public must be allowed to decide.

Socialist Alliance is campaigning in the coming state elections for the following:

A public inquiry into the health, safety and environmental impacts of CSG mining;
A moratorium on all CSG mining until outcome of inquiry;
A ban on all CSG mining under cities, water catchment, supply and storage areas, farmland and other environmentally significant areas;
No new CSG mines or power plants and investment in renewables. Investment in energy must be limited to technologies that can move us to a zero emissions economy, not commit us to other carbon polluting technologies;
A ban on hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”).

Remove abortion from the Crimes Act

2011-02-17T12:00:00.003+11:00

** MEDIA RELEASE **

Thursday February 17, 2011 - Premier Kristina Keneally's refusal to remove abortion from the 19th century Crimes Act shows just how out of touch she and her party are. Keneally reportedly made that promise to a forum of Christian leaders at Parliament House on February 15.

Socialist Alliance candidates and women’s rights campaigners Pip Hinman (Marrickville) and Paola Harvey (Keira) described Keneally's position as 'cruel' and 'out of touch'.

'The Premier would know that women will continue to seek and receive abortions in NSW, regardless of the law. She would also know that wherever abortion remains illegal, women – in particular poorer, younger and otherwise disadvantaged women – suffer negative health consequences, physically and emotionally', said Ms Hinman.

'The fact that abortion remains on the Crimes Act means that anyone who has an abortion or assists a woman with one, can be jailed for up to 10 years.

'The possibility of imprisonment is ridiculous, but very real. Last year in Cairns, Queensland, where abortion is also still illegal, a women and her partner were charged with intent to procure an abortion because they purchased RU486 from overseas. They were eventually found not guilty - but only after having been put through a very traumatic experience.'

Ms Harvey said: 'The ALP has always told women that we should rely on a liberal interpretation of the law by the courts. But this is not enough, as the 2006 case with Dr Suman Sood showed. In a very complex case, Dr Sood was convicted for assisting an abortion.

'Opponents of women's right to choose abortion say that such a move would cause the number of abortions to skyrocket. Yet, the evidence from other states that have decriminised abortion doesn't support this.

'Women will continue to have abortions regardless of the law. They need to be safe and free from the possibility of prosecution.

'For at least a decade, surveys have repeatedly shown that the majorities in Australia support abortion rights.'

Ms Hinman said: 'Socialist Alliance campaigns for women's right to choose.

'The decision about whether or not to have an abortion has to be made by the woman concerned, in consultation with whomever she wishes," she said. "The state has no right to interfere,' she concluded.

For more information on Pip Hinman's campaign visit http://www.socialist-alliance.org/nsw/

Locals oppose coalmine expansion

2011-02-14T11:50:00.002+11:00

By Chris Williams

Sunday February 13, 2011 - More than 60 people attended a public meeting in Russell Vale, north of Wollongong, on February 3 to oppose a massive coalmine expansion in their neighbourhood.

The meeting was organised by Illawarra Residents for Responsible Mining (IRRM).

Gujurat NRE, owners of No. 1 Colliery in Russell Vale, want to expand the colliery's current output by 7.5 times — from 400,000 tonnes a year to 3 million tonnes.

Under the plan, 176,500 truck movements will take place each year through suburban areas, IRRM says. Local residents raised concerns about a rise in noise and air pollution from mine operations and trucking.

For full article visit http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/46679

Local media coverage: Stop the sell-off!

2011-02-10T19:15:00.001+11:00

Check out this coverage from the February 10 Wollongong & Northern Leader. Over 100 people rallied against privatisation in Wollongong on Sunday February 6. Thanks to John Kaye's (Greens MLC) office for organising the action.

Scroll down this blog for Jess Moore's speech to the rally on behalf of the Climate Action Network (WCAN) and to hear Paola Harvey's speech visit http://paolaharveyforkeira.blogspot.com/2011/02/local-media-coverage-stop-sell-off.html

Stop sell-off! Climate action now!

2011-02-06T10:42:00.000+11:00

Check out Jess Moore's speech to Sunday's 'Stop the sell-off' rally in Wollongong. Jess, a Socialist Alliance candidate for the Legislative Council in the NSW elections, spoke on behalf of the Wollongong Climate Action Network (WCAN).

Paola Harvey, our candidate for Keira in the election, also spoke. Click here to view her speech: http://paolaharveyforkeira.blogspot.com/2011/02/stop-sell-off-defend-public-assets.html

Radical journalists in the Illawarra!

2011-02-06T10:11:00.001+11:00

Sunday February 6, 2011

Illawarra members of Socialist Alliance have been prolific writers lately, covering topics as wide and varied as the people's movement in Egypt to the debate on moving Australia Day here at home.

Check out their work in the latest Green Left Weekly:

Time to move Australia Day. By Patrick Harrison: http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/46617

Egypt: People's power takes on dictatorship. By Tim Dobson: http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/46639

Papua New Guinea: West Papuan refugees terrorised. By Ash Pemberton: http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/46637

Tunisia: Fresh violence against revolution. By Patrick Harrison: http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/46629

Floods, cyclone shows climate action needed now. By Jess Moore: http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/46599

Support emergency services workers!

2011-02-04T11:58:00.000+11:00

On Friday February 4, Socialist Alliance candidates were invited to attend the 'Pride of the Illawarra awards', organised by Rotary Clubs of the Illawarra.

The awards recognised the outstanding contribution made to our community by personnel from the seven local Emergency Services Organisations covering the Wollongong, Shellharbour and Kiama regions.

Paola Harvey, SA for candidate for Keira (in the purple tshirt) is pictured here with (from left) George Takacs, Greens candidate for Keira; Gordon Bradbery, independent candidate for Wollongong; and Patrick Harrison, SA candidate for the Legislative Council. SA is a strong supporter of emergency services workers, particularly their rights at work. For more info visit http://www.socialist-alliance.org/

Floods, cyclone shows climate action needed now

2011-02-04T10:13:00.001+11:00

Socialist Alliance statement, Friday February 4, 2011

Solidarity and support is needed to help with the impact of the devastating floods that swept through Queensland and other states in January, and Cyclone Yasi in early February.

The cost of loss of life and personal trauma is incalculable, and the resources needed to rebuild, will be huge.

Future prevention or reduction must be part of this. When extreme weather events happen more often and with greater intensity, that's not just weather. Climate — the average of weather — is changing.

So we must tackle climate change.

For full statement visit: http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/46599

Support People's Power in Egypt

2011-02-03T10:58:00.001+11:00

** MEDIA RELEASE **

Thursday February 3, 2011 - Socialist Candidate for Keira Paola Harvey has announced her support for the democracy movement that has swept Egypt and is on the verge of getting rid of U.S and Australian backed dictator, Hosni Mubarak.

'The images coming out of Egypt are inspiring to all those who believe in justice and democracy. People have overcome the fear of torture and even death, to assert their rights and show the world that the people of the Middle East don't need foreign armies to liberate them. They are just fine liberating themselves. My heartfelt solidarity and congratulations to Egyptian emigrates living in New South Wales and the local Wollongong area, many of whom have are living in exile due to the repressive regime. They must be feeling an overwhelming sense of pride in what is happening in Egypt and looking forward to a future free from oppression and dictatorship.

'As the rebellion has swept Egypt, so has a wave of volunteering. When people aren't protesting they are cleaning garbage off the streets, providing food to people, giving medical assistance and all sorts of other activities. Protesters are saying they are now proud of their country and they are willing to look after it.

'What is happening in Egypt proves a valuable lesson to the people of the world, including in Australia. That is, the best way to deal with the political, social and economic problems that society faces is to empower people. An empowered people can achieve what in “ordinary” times, seem like miracles. Seeing what is happening in Egypt reinforces why I'm running in the NSW state elections. I also want to live in a community that feels pride in itself, that is empowered and that overcomes problems by working together in a spirit of solidarity. This is what I will fight for while running in the elections and afterwards', concluded Harvey.

Keneally govt must reverse electricity privatisation

2011-02-02T08:45:00.001+11:00

** MEDIA RELEASE **

Wednesday February 2, 2011 - Premier Kristina Keneally’s announcement on February 1 that NSW Labor will not pursue the privatisation of the electricity sector in the unlikely event that Labor is re-elected is good news said Peter Boyle, the lead NSW upper house candidate for the Socialist Alliance today.

'But given that there were no bids made for the retailers, most folk are understandably cynical about the Premier’s motives', Mr Boyle continued.

'The recent fire sale of NSW’s retail electricity is a disgrace. It means that ordinary people’s power bills will rise and the public will have even less control over our future energy needs.

'Meanwhile, the government intends to continue to subsidise billions of dollars worth of dirty coal supplies to power stations to guarantee future profits for those corporations while irresponsibly refusing to begin a serious transition to renewable energy', said Mr Boyle.

'Recent extreme weather events are a stark reminder that the clock is ticking on the climate change emergency', said Jess Moore, also a candidate on the Socialist Alliance NSW Legislative Council ticket.

'We need serious investment in baseload solar-thermal and wind power generators now.'

'Labor, like the Coalition, is not committed to keeping public assets in public hands. Labor has sold off the TAB, the State Bank, GIO, prisons and the State Lotteries. Its attempt to privatise Sydney Ferries has not been successful due to a concerted campaign waged by the Maritime Union of Australia and community groups.

'Privatised electricity will also mean job cuts, less reliable services and less environmental safeguards – as we’ve seen in Victoria and South Australia.

'It’s not good enough for the Keneally government just to halt its privatisation at stage one. This sell-off is not in the state’s best interest so it should annul the sale.

'As it stands, Keneally has simply set it up for a future O’Farrell government to resume the privatisation of electricity. This is not what NSW wants, or needs', concluded Ms Moore.

Socialist Alliance, along with members in unions and community groups opposing the sell-off, is calling for an immediate price freeze on household electricity.

Approval of Calderwood must be annulled

2011-02-01T10:29:00.003+11:00

** MEDIA RELEASE **

Tuesday February 1, 2011 - State election candidates for the Greens and the Socialist Alliance today issued a joint call for the annulment of the Calderwood development approval, that was granted by the NSW government under Part 3A last month.

Greens candidate for Shellharbour, Peter Moran stated:

"The Calderwood development is an environmental and planning disaster in the making.

"It is apparent that Planning Minister Tony Kelly has learnt nothing from the experience of Queensland families who built their homes and futures on flood plains. The filling of a flood plain can be expected to increase the incidence of flooding in Albion Park, as well as increasing runoff into Lake Illawarra.

"Every one of the 200,000 semi trailer loads of fill travelling down the main street of Albion Park will be a reminder to residents of just how inappropriate this development is.

"To lose prime agricultural land for the sake of increasing a developers profits is a crime against the future.

"This approval flies in the face of the Governments Illawarra Regional Strategy and the government's own studies which show this area has enough developed, serviced and approved land releases to serve our needs for the next 6 years, by which time the West Dapto release will be going full steam ahead.

The ratepayers of Shellharbour will be required to subsidize this development to the tune of $2 million per annum according to Shellharbour Council. This will be an albatross hanging around the neck of the Shellharbour community.

Part 3A of the EP and A Act allows politicians to foist these unsustainable developments on communities all across the state. Shame on the ALP and the coalition, who both voted for it.

Jess Moore, Socialist Alliance candidate for the NSW Legislative Council, added:

"Rarely do we see such widespread opposition to a single development. The ALP has once again used Part 3A to run roughshod over our community.

"Developer profits have been put ahead of community need.

"Parts of this land are seriously flood prone. The idiocy of developing floodplains speaks for itself. But worse still is that plans to fill in and develop the floodplains will also increase the risk of floods impacting homes in surrounding areas.

"Calderwood is too far from adequate supporting infrastructure. The cost to the local community to service it will be immense.

"The land involved in this development is of high conservation value. It is also among the highest grade

agricultural land in the Illawarra. It shouldn't even be considered for housing. The community needs to decide what parts should be simply conserved and what parts should be used for food production.

"It's been identified that this absurd development is not even needed for the supply of housing in the Illawarra.

Make ALL public transport frequent & free

2011-01-31T12:19:00.003+11:00

** MEDIA RELEASE **

Monday January 31, 2011 - Local state election candidates for the Socialist Alliance have welcomed the news that passenger numbers on the free CBD shuttle bus are increasing. They have repeated calls to expand the shuttle service to other areas in NSW and to make all public transport frequent and free.

Paola Harvey, Socialist Alliance candidate for Keira, said: 'The news that nearly 5 million passengers have used the free shuttle service really vindicates our position that if you make public transport frequent and free, people will make the switch. The CBD shuttle initiative has been a wonderful departure from Labor's decades long neglect of our public transport system, particularly our rail.

'Dramatically improving public transport would give people the option of leaving the car at home. It's a socially just response to the chronic problems of traffic congestion, lack of parking and lack of mobility faced by poorer sections of the community. It would also reduce greenhouse-gas emissions from the transport sector, which contribute roughly 14% of Australia's total emissions', Harvey said.

Jess Moore, long-time public transport campaigner and Socialist Alliance candidate for the Legislative Council, said: 'We campaigned for frequent and free public transport during the 2007 NSW election campaign. Given the social and environmental benefits of public transport use, all public transport in NSW should be made frequent and free.

'In the Begian city of Hasselt, within a year of introducing free and frequent public transport, patronage increased by 870%. And their government found they saved money overall, given subsequent savings on health, road maintenance and construction, and also on ticketing.

'We stand for publicly owned public transport, not public handouts to private companies. The current Wollongong CBD shuttle service is publicly funded but privately run. This reduces the number of public sector jobs, and needlessly complicates planning, especially across an entire state.

'Any income generated from the public transport system should immediately be directed back into the system, not into private pockets.' Moore concluded.

In solidarity with the people of Tunisia, Egypt and the Arab world

2011-01-31T09:30:00.002+11:00

SOCIALIST ALLIANCE STATEMENT, January 29, 2011

The Socialist Alliance applauds the courage and tenacity of the Tunisian people, whose protests for democracy and economic and social justice, now in their second month, have ended the 23-year rule of dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.

The Tunisian revolution has inspired ordinary people across the Arab world and protests have broken out in Algeria, Jordan, Yemen and, most dramatically, against the United States-backed dictatorship in Egypt.

The overthrow of Ben Ali was achieved by the Tunisian people without any outside help. The regime, on the other side, was supported by the Western powers, in particular France and the United States, right until the moment Ben Ali fled to refuge with the West’s closest ally in the Arab world, the Saudi monarchy.

In Egypt, hundreds of thousands of people are in the streets standing up to the violence of the security forces of Hosni Mubarak, dictator since 1981. While more than 40 million Egyptians live on less than $2 per day and more than 1 million children live on the street, the people are denied free elections and a legal parliament, and suffer severe repression for any expression of dissent.

The tragedy of Iraq has demonstrated the falsehood of Western claims that its interference in the region is to bring about democratic regime change. The people of Tunisia and Egypt are showing where genuinely democratic regime change will come from — the people themselves.

The Tunisian and Egyptian uprisings are not just against a Western-backed dictator. They are against an unjust global economic system based on the plunder of the human and natural resources of poor countries by Western corporations. The policies of multinational institutions like the International Monetary Fund and World Bank, faithfully implemented by Ben Ali and Hosni Mubarak, create poverty, unemployment and lack of opportunity for ordinary people.

On December 17, the twin evils of poverty and dictatorship in Tunisia became too much for Mohammed Bouazizi when he suffered police brutality and the confiscation of the fruit cart from which he eked out a living — a marginal living typical of the young, rural people who are the majority of Tunisians. His desperate response, burning himself to death in front of local government offices, catalysed a revolution.

After Ben Ali fled, Tunisians took out their anger on the mansions of his corrupt cronies and relatives. Tunisian workers, in enterprises from banks and insurance companies to airlines and the media, have literally thrown out managers who were close to the regime and taken over the enterprises themselves.

While the dictator has gone, the interim government is largely comprised of ministers who served under Ben Ali. The Tunisian people are now calling for the resignation of all ministers associated with the previous regime. In provincial towns, the regime has been challenged by the establishment of democratic councils based on participatory mass meetings.

Western leaders, while pretending since their dictator fled to be in favour of democracy in Tunisia, have demanded that the current interim government remain to oversee the transition to democracy. The Socialist Alliance expresses its full solidarity with the Tunisian people’s demands for a new, representative government.

The Socialist Alliance calls for:

• No Western interference in Tunisia. The Tunisian people have shown that it is they, and not the Western empires, who know what democracy means.

• The West to stop propping up the Mubarak dictatorship in Egypt, the second largest recipient of US military aid in world (after Israel).

• An end to the ongoing Western military occupation of Iraq, and other Western military interference in the Arab world and the neighbouring region, including the occupation of Afghanistan and covert operations in Yemen and Somalia.

Australia Day should be moved

2011-01-26T12:01:00.000+11:00

** MEDIA RELEASE **

Wednesday January 26, 2011 - The Socialist Alliance is publicly supporting the call for the date of Australia Day celebrations to be moved. The call has been made in recent years by Mick Dodson, 2009 Australian of the year, as well as Tony Beddison, former chair of the Australia Day Committee (Victoria).

'As the date of the formation of the penal colony of New South Wales, January 26 has little significance to the modern multicultural nation of Australia', said Jess Moore, Socialist Alliance candidate for the Legislative Council in the NSW elections. 'Furthermore, holding our national holiday on the date white settlement began is a slap in the face for Aboriginal people.

'Each year, Aboriginal groups protest this date, yet state and federal governments have refused to allow any debate around this issue, summed up by former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's “straightforward no”.

'The fact that Premier Keneally announced that Aboriginal people will be recognised as the first people in NSW last year, while we continue to hold our national celebrations on a date known to Aboriginal people as "Invasion Day", reflects the sheer hypocrisy of Labor on the issue of justice for our nation's first inhabitants.

'These celebrations are made more offensive by their proximity to the anniversary of TJ Hickey's death in Redfern on February 14, 2004, after he was pursued by police in Redfern', Moore concluded.

Shame on Hills! Gillard should guarantee jobs!

2011-01-25T10:27:00.004+11:00

** MEDIA RELEASE **

Tuesday January 24, 2011 - Socialist Alliance has condemned the decision by Orrcon, local steel pipe and tube manufacturer, to sack 16 of its Unanderra workers. Orrcon, owned by the Hills Holdings group, received $486,500 worth of government assistance in 2007.

Patrick Harrison (pictured left), Socialist Alliance candidate for the NSW Legislative Council, said: ‘Shame on Hills. This is how they treat their workers in a region that constantly battles with unemployment. It’s heartless and unacceptable. And the fact that they’ve just increased some of their directors' pay by $250,000 is just a cruel slap in the face.

‘The federal government is approaching this in the wrong way. In 2007 Orrcon received $486,500 in federal funds to employ 14 people, but then sacked 27 people six months later. Now another 16 have been given the flick. Why are they allowed to get away with this? Who is the Labor Party governing on behalf of?

‘Julia Gillard should demand that Orrcon opens its books to workers and the community, to really see if they can’t afford to save these jobs. If this demand is refused Orrcon should be placed in public ownership and the jobs guaranteed by the government. Given the public handouts and our crippling unemployment, this is more than fair enough.

‘We need governments state and federal willing to challenge the corporate elite; governments who make decisions in the interests of people and the planet, not profit’, Harrison concluded.

Harrison is a young worker in Wollongong and a member of the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association (SDA).

Vale May Moore

2011-01-24T10:18:00.002+11:00

By Chris Williams

Sunday January 23, 2011 - Hundreds of people attended the funeral service of Mavis Mary Moore on January 21 in Dapto, just south of Wollongong. May, as she was known, passed away on January 17, aged 86. She lived a life dedicated to social justice and caring for friends, community and family.

Unionist Paddy Gorman delivered the eulogy. He said: 'May was a remarkable woman, one of a kind, who inspired many. She and husband Fred were a formidable team in the struggle for workers’ rights and social justice.

'May believed in equality for all and had complete contempt for the rich and powerful who exploited working people.

May was much loved in the community, particularly the Aboriginal community. She actively supported movements for change and welcomed people into her home in Dapto for a meal, a chat, or some sage advice. She never missed a May Day rally, and Wollongong activists will always remember her aboard a Harley Davidson trike during the 2009 May Day march proudly waving a placard demanding rights at work.

She was a life member of the miners’ women’s auxiliary, which played a vital role in the success of miners’ union campaigns. In the words of Fred Moore, 'women are the backbone of the struggle', and May’s example proves that.

She was an internationalist: active in the campaign against apartheid South Africa and for people struggling in Chile, Cuba, Ireland and much more. She was even a life member of the Dapto Dolphins swimming team for her contribution to community sports.

May will be sadly missed by family, friends and comrades, but her example will live on through all movements demanding equality for all. From http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/46462

[May Moore is pictured, sitting, at the 2010 May Day march in Wollongong. Fred Moore is walking on May's left]

Land use for human need not corporate profits!

2011-01-21T10:42:00.002+11:00

MEDIA RELEASE

Friday January 21, 2011 - Paola Harvey, Socialist Alliance candidate for Keira, has responded to yesterday's revelation that the Coalition let the mining industry write parts of its regional land use policy.

'In the lead up to the election Barry O'Farrell has tried to label himself a friend of democracy and the environment. Revelations that parts of the Coalition's regional land use policy has been written by the mining industry show that neither is the case', she said.

'Under Labor we saw legislation changed to allow petroleum and gas exploration in state conservation and drinking water catchment areas, the introduction of Part 3A, and an enormous expansion of mining, including Coal Seam Gas. The fact that 70% of NSW is now under mineral and petroleum title or application is testament to this.

'It is clear that both Labor and Liberal are hell bent on the further expansion of mining. And this is regardless of community need, health, water or environmental concerns.

'It begs many questions: What is O'Farrell going to replace Part 3A with? Is the promise to protect Dharawal just a token gesture to expand mining elsewhere?

'The lack of government regulation has been a strong criticism in the campaign against Coal Seam Gas mining. Yet now we hear that the Coalition's stance is to make an unacceptable situation worse: removing commitments to toughen regulatory compliance. An immediate moratorium on CSG is needed.

'We need community wide discussions to determine land use, not secret deals with corporate polluters.

'The short term profits of mining companies cannot be put ahead of the reality that humans need food, clean water and air.

'Sustainability also means jobs. We need to create jobs in alternative and necessary industries -- such as wind and solar power -- to ensure a safe environment,' Harvey concluded.

No new gas at Tallawarra! Renewables now!

2011-01-20T11:21:00.003+11:00

MEDIA RELEASE

Thursday January 20, 2011 - Paola Harvey, Socialist Alliance candidate for Keira, has called on the NSW government to reverse its January 14 approval for a second gas-fired power station at Tallawarra. Harvey stands for the phasing out of coal and gas-fired power generation and immediate investment in a baseload solar-thermal power station.

'This decision is suicidal in the context of global warming. Australia's power generation is the single biggest cause of greenhouse gas emissions. It's urgent we begin the phase out of all fossil fuel based power generation and start the transition to baseload, renewable energy', she said.

'The recent tragic floods highlight the need to act now. While climate change isn't the sole cause of these events, there's undeniable scientific evidence that it is increasing their devastating effects. It's clear that the cost of continuing our reliance on fossil fuels will far outweigh the cost of phasing them out and replacing them with renewable, non-polluting alternatives'.

'The Tallawarra approval is also completely unnecessary to meet our future power needs. With serious implementation of energy saving and demand management, there would be no need for increased electricity generation capacity in NSW. But Liberal and Labor have no interest in this, they are totally tied to the interests of the big polluters.

'I'm standing to put people and the planet ahead of profit. The people of NSW need the Tallawarra approval to be reversed. Instead, the government needs to draw up plans for immediate investment in a baseload, solar-thermal power station, so the phase out of coal and gas-powered generation can start today', Harvey concluded.

Visit: http://www.paolaharveyforkeira.blogspot.com/

Gellatly complicit in theft of public assets!

2011-01-19T12:21:00.003+11:00

Wednesday January 19, 2011

MEDIA RELEASE - Socialist Alliance candidate for Keira, Paola Harvey, has condemned Wollongong Council administrator Col Gellatly for his role in the privatisation of NSW electricity assets. She has called for the sacking of the administrators and a return to democracy for Wollongong.

'The case for council elections in Wollongong was clear long before the latest revelations, but they have confirmed what has long been suspected. The administrators aren't serving the people of Wollongong but rather are doing the bidding of the state government', said Harvey.

'While Col Gellatly is an Administrator, at the same time he is chairman of the government's Electricity Reform Taskforce, a job he is being paid $540,000 for. This “reform taskforce” was basically assigned to find a way to privatise the electricity industry as quickly as possible. But when 8 directors of Delta Electricity and Eraring Energy resigned, NSW Treasurer Roozendahl appointed Gellatly to the board and directed him to push through the sale'.

'This is a conflict of interest, as many have have pointed out. More importantly, Gellatly is not only denying the democratic will of the people of Wollongong as an administrator, he is denying the democratic will of the people of NSW, who remain overwhelmingly opposed to privatisation of the electricity industry'.

Socialist Alliance will be using the state election to campaign for fresh elections for Wollongong Council and for reversing the privatisation of electricity.

'Gellatly and the administrators are responsible for many decisions that are already increasing the cost of living for Wollongong citizens; parking meters for example. But Gellatly's role in privatisation is much worse. It will lead to higher electricity prices for all households — something the people of Wollongong cannot afford. Maybe Gellatly himself, who in addition to his $540,000, earns $85,280 for being administrator, should be footing the bill for families that can't afford the extra expenses his actions will cause?

'But we must remember that responsibility for the privatisation remains primarliy with the NSW Labor Party. The people of Wollongong are being ill-served by local MP's who have supported privatisation every step of the way. The only way to ensure that public assets will no longer be sold is to reject the politics of both Labor and Liberal parties and vote for parties committed to keeping public assets in public hands', Harvey concluded.

Come to first meeting for 2011!

2011-01-13T14:43:00.003+11:00

Wednesday January 19, 6.30pm @ Illawarra Activist Centre 17/157 Crown Street, Wollongong (building above Hideaway cafe)

To kick off the year, come along to this meeting on Socialist Alliance's plans in the Illawarra for 2011. We'll be discussing politics - local, national and global; planning our campaign priorities, e.g. climate change, equal marriage rights and community democracy; and discussing how best to build the movement for socialism and winning more people to activism. We'll also be discussing our election campaign in the local seat of Keira, where we are running activist and member Paola Harvey. Come along and have you say!

For more information or queries contact Will on 0425 329 963

Together we are stronger!

2010-12-24T10:33:00.000+11:00

Paola Harvey and Jess Moore's open letter to the progressive community in Wollongong was published in today's letters section of the Illawarra Mercury.

The letter appeals for community minded and progressive campaigners to work together to provide a real alternative to the major parties, particularly in the context of the political crisis facing Labor in NSW. Check it out here.

Socialist candidate Patrick Harrison: No new coal!

2010-12-21T10:49:00.001+11:00

Below is Patrick Harrison's speech to 'Carols at the Colliery', an action held on Tuesday December 21, 2010 in Russell Vale (just north of Wollongong) to protest a proposed coal expansion.

"Hello, my name is Patrick Harrison. I am a Legislative Council candidate for the Socialist Alliance in the upcoming NSW state elections; I'm also a climate activist involved in the campaign for 100% renewable energy at the University of Wollongong.

The Socialist Alliance opposes all new coal development and infrastructure. It's what the science demands we do, and the alternatives to coal are ready to go. The expansion of the Gujarat NRE No.1 colliery is a threat to local residents' health and safety, it's a threat to precious drought-resistant water supplies throughout the region, and it will lead to a massive increase in the amount of coal trucks on our roads, further threatening health and safety as well as adding to the pollution already being generated by the mine.

We live in a time when the need to cut our pollution is becoming clearer each day. The world's climate scientists agree that global warming is happening, and that to steer us back towards a future in which the environment remains relatively unchanged, we have to aim for an atmospheric carbon concentration of less than 300 ppm as soon as possible. That not only means cutting pollution, but drawing down the carbon that's already in the atmosphere. Yet in contrast to this, big multinational companies like Gujarat NRE are determined to dig as much carbon out of the ground as they can.

The writing is on the wall for fossil fuels, yet so long as there's profit to be made, these companies are determined to make it. This is the result of our global economic system, in which a tiny minority makes the big decisions which will impact the lives of billions for generations to come. That's why we can't leave it up to the market to deal with climate change. The drive for ever-increasing profit inherent in a capitalist system is at odds with the needs of a planet which is a closed system of finite resources. Even now, we can see the corporate media taking up the calls of industry for a transition from coal to gas and/or nuclear - neither of which will be able to reduce our emissions by enough, or in time, to do anything about climate change.

This drive is being felt all over the region, from the University of Wollongong to the escarpment to inner-city Sydney, where coal seam gas expansions are being approved. We need to demand that our government takes real action against the greenhouse mafia and in defence of ordinary people, and, if elected, that is what the Socialist Alliance will do.

The demand for "no new coal" has been widely made by the environment movement, for reasons of climate change, agricultural, water, health and conservation. The Socialist Alliance supports a moratorium on new coal projects, and would invest in a 100% renewable energy powered grid. With the right combination of solar thermal, wind and biomass, we could do away with the need for fossil fuels in energy production entirely. The same goes for coking coal; alternatives already exist in the forms of Direct Reduced Iron (being developed in India, the home of Gujarat NRE) and biochar-fuelled blast furnaces. The local steelworks has already begun considering ways to transition coal out of the steel-making process.

The alternatives are out there, and we need to demand that our government mandate these measures. If the big multinational companies don't want to spend their profits on cleaning up their act, then we should nationalise the mines, power plants, factories and steelworks! Or renationalise, in the case of the recently sold NSW power stations sold off for a fraction of their value under the most corrupt of circumstances.

This transition to renewable energy and a sustainable economy is attacked by the corporate press and greenhouse mafia as being anti-jobs, and costing the economy. Yet the transition to renewables would create many more jobs than would be lost from other sectors. And the truth is, jobs in the coal mines aren't safe anyway. Over the past 20 years jobs in the coal industry have shrunk while profits and output have boomed, thanks to increased mechanisation through the use of destructive longwall mining. Miners at Xstrata's nearby Tahmoor colliery recently had to fight a 2-year industrial battle simply to reach industry standard pay and conditions. When these people say the word economy, what they mean is their profit margins, not the economy for the vast majority of us, or even for their workers.

If the government were really interested in standing up for the workers in these industries, they would prioritise those workers for greens jobs jobs in the renewable energy, transport, manufacturing and other sectors, making the multinationals pay for them to be retrained on full pay. This is Socialist Alliance policy, and the only fair thing to do for those who, at the end of the day, themselves face the greatest personal danger from coal mining - those inside the mines, as we've seen from the recent disasters in Chile and New Zealand.

Environmental campaigners have recently won a victory in terms of greater accountability in the approval process for coal-seam gas mining in NSW, which we should welcome. But the only way that we can guarantee community control over these developments is if we continue to speak out against them and demand all parties to rip up the draconian Part 3(A) legislation that allows the state government to ignore the needs of people and the planet.

In closing, the Socialist Alliance opposes all new coal developments, and is committed to the struggle for a sustainable future, a better world, and for putting people and the planet ahead of profits".

Stop the sell-off; stop the price increases!

2010-12-20T12:32:00.003+11:00

Friday December 17, 2010

MEDIA RELEASE - Paola Harvey, Socialist Alliance candidate for Keira in the NSW state election, has announced she supports a freeze on electricity price increases for households. Her statement comes after an Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) survey that shows more than half of all low-income families with mortgages are struggling to pay their power bills.

'The people of NSW, most of whom are already struggling with cost of living expenses, saw electricity price increases in July. Over the next three years prices are set to rise by at least 20% and up to 64%. These are increases that many people simply cannot afford and will drive people further into debt. The government needs to put controls in place that will guarantee no further price increases for households', said Harvey.

'At the same time, we need to stop all discounts given to big business. In 2005-2006 the fossil fuel industry was given up to $1.9 billion worth of electricity subsidies across Australia. Imagine if this money was used instead to help those low-income earners, or used to invest in clean, renewable energy? People shouldn't have to put up with price increases while the big polluters are receiving handouts.

Harvey stands for keeping public assets in public hands, including opposition to the privatisation of electricity. She announced her support for the Electrical Trades Union (ETU) statement that the union wouldn't support candidates who support privatisation.

'Bernie Riordon, ETU Secretary, was sacked as NSW ALP President for his union taking a principled stand that they cannot support candidates who support electricity privatisation. This shows how out of touch the Labor Party is. How could the ETU support the Labor government, which has already privatised electricity assets, which will see job losses, price increases, less reliable service and less environmental safeguards, as has been the case in Victoria and South Australia?

'The fact is that the vast majority of people in this state want to keep electricity in public hands. As a candidate, I pledge to fight for the annulment of the sale of recently sold electricity assets, which was done in an undemocratic and secretive manner and oppose the further privatisation of the electricity network. I will be guided by the principle that public assets should be held in public hands and should be used for the public good', Harvey concluded.

Get involved visit http://www.paolaharveyforkeira.blogspot.com/

To the progressive community in Wollongong

2010-12-16T17:49:00.001+11:00

Thursday December 16, 2010

Dear friends,

In the lead up to the NSW state election support for Labor is at an all-time low. Satisfaction with the NSW Labor party has dropped to 23% (Newspoll), this is the second lowest rating in history. The Liberal's approval rating is 46% and the Greens 17%, just 6 points less than Labor. The coalition leads Labor 63% to 37% on a two-party-preferred basis. This is the largest split recorded by Newspoll, with the exception of federal Labor's lead over the Coalition at the height of Kevin Rudd's popularity at the beginning of 2008.

The reasons for this are clear. Labor's hugely unpopular privatisation push has alienated supporters, continual scandals and corrupt conduct have destroyed trust and the undemocratic Part 3A legislation has been used to run rough-shod over communities. Locally, the people of Wollongong and Shellharbour still do not have the democratic right to an elected local government, the result of a state government decision.

What is clear is that the decline in support for Labor will likely result in a Liberal government unless we find the ways to build a progressive team that puts forward an alternative, recognising that we are not united behind one party or group at this time.

Of course this need, while abundantly clear in the current political context, goes beyond the state election. Building progressive alternatives and resistance is always needed. Furthering collaboration and relationships and finding the ways to work together whenever there is agreement is an essential part of this.

Waiting for a broad progressive team will only mean delay, and with it our ability to put people and the planet before profit. A progressive team will have to be consciously developed.

There is a great deal of common ground in terms of what people believe is needed. Commonly supported candidates in elections, shared campaigns, and broad inclusive discussions would help maximise our effectiveness. However, we support all steps toward collaboration. So if you are interested in working together for social justice, sustainability and democracy; in looking for agreement before disagreement; and in building progressive alternatives and resistance broadly; please contact us.

Comradely,

Jess Moore and Paola Harvey

Socialist Alliance

Jess Moore: 0416 232 349 or jmoorejmoore@gmail.com

Paola Harvey: 0416 118 612 or paola.harvey@gmail.com

Vote 1 Paola Harvey in Keira!

2010-12-15T09:38:00.002+11:00

Check out this image from yesterday's Illawarra Mercury, it shows the candidates that have (so far) declared for the seat of Keira.

If you think NSW shouldn't be for sale, and would like to help the campaign to put community need ahead of corporate greed in Keira, please contact us on 0425 329 963 or bendigo1977@yahoo.com.au

Fix public transport. Make it frequent and free!

2010-12-08T09:14:00.003+11:00

Wednesday December 8, 2010

MEDIA RELEASE - Paola Harvey, socialist candidate for Keira, has called for a massive funding boost to public transport in order to fix the system's chronic problems.

'We need to move away from car dependency and encourage more people to use public transport, but the NSW government is doing the opposite. In 2009-10 there were 2.3 million fewer passenger trips on the NSW rail network compared to 2008-09. Poor management and lack of investment over many years has pushed people out of the system. This is unacceptable for social and environmental reasons', said Harvey.

'Complaints are also on the rise. People are sick of delays, overcrowding and bad communication. It's time to turn things around. Boosting funds to expand public transport will encourage people back and dramatically reduce carbon emissions as less people are forced to rely on private cars. Decent public transport is more equitable; it assists the economically disadvantaged and those looking for work.

'To encourage as many people as possible to make the switch from private car transport to public transport, a three-month trial of free public transport should be conducted across all urban, regional and rural areas. If the trial confirms a significant increase in public transport patronage, it should be made permanent. The usage of Wollongong's free CBD shuttle buses shows this is likely to happen.

'The savings made by society in lower air pollution, less road congestion etc would outweigh the costs of making public transport free. In addition to our health and the environment, common sense demands this approach be taken up', Harvey concluded.

Check out the campaign blog: http://paolaharveyforkeira.blogspot.com/

Support SPATE's 10TH ANNIVERSARY

2010-12-06T14:01:00.002+11:00

The Sandon Point Aboriginal Tent Embassy (SPATE) is hosting a special three-day event from December 17th to 19th to celebrate its’ tenth birthday at Kuradji (aka McCauley’s Beach, Thirroul) north of Sandon Point.

SPATE and the Northern Illawarra Residents Treaty Group (NIRTG) will host a concert and bbq event at the embassy to celebrate SPATE’s 10 years of occupational protest at Sandon Point.

People are welcome to camp for the whole weekend or come for any of the days. BYO tents, water, supplies. Entry fee and food available for donation.

Special entertainment being run over the three day festival will include traditional Aboriginal and contemporary dancers, workshops, guest speakers, discussion circles with local elders and live music from a variety of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal musicians and performers.

SPATE’S efforts to raise awareness of the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage of Sandon Point and leading many legal battles trying to protect the Aboriginal Place from threats posed by new residential development in the area is recognised and respected by Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities around Australia and throughout the world.

For more information contact Karen Gough (SPATE Media Officer) 0434 550 181, Jodie Pryor (Event coordinator) 0422 878 747 or 02-42672262 or Jodi Phillis (Event coordinator) 0422 095 365. For more information on the struggle visit http://www.sandon-point.org.au/

Illawarra: the new gasland?

2010-11-29T10:20:00.005+11:00

By Jess Moore & Kate Ausburn, Saturday November 27, 2010.

The gas industry is rapidly increasing its scope in the Australian energy market as, state and federal government approve drilling sites across the nation with little community consultation and relaxed environmental safeguards.

Natural gas will account for 33% of Australia's primary energy consumption by 2030, compared with 8% from renewables, according to the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ABARE).

The approval process for major gas projects has come under scrutiny from the Greens. NSW Greens MP Cate Faehrmann referred to the NSW planning department's process of application approval as a “rubber-stamping exercise”, said the November 19 Sydney Morning Herald.

For full article Are QLD and NSW the new gasland? visit: http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/46273

Sandon Point appeal dismissed

2010-11-29T10:17:00.003+11:00

By Patrick Harrison, Saturday November 27, 2010.

The latest appeal against Stockland's Sandon Point development was dismissed on November 25, but the struggle continues.

The case has been in the Land and Environment Court since August.

The latest appeal was launched by the Sandon Point Aboriginal Tent Embassy (SPATE), which has been campaigning against the development for 10 years.

The community campaign has opposed the Sandon Point development because of impacts on the environment and Indigenous cultural heritage, as well as a lack of transparency and democracy in the approval process.

SPATE is organising the "3 Fires 2 Moons" festival celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Tent Embassy over December 17-19. For more information contact Dan Jones on 0429 682 069 or email dantares13@gmail.com

Save Gleniffer Brae meeting

2010-11-27T10:12:00.000+11:00

By Chris Williams, Saturday November 27, 2010.

About 100 people attended a “Save Gleniffer Brae” meeting on November 15 as part of a campaign to keep the historic, heritage-listed manor house in public hands.

Organised by Reclaim Our City, the meeting demanded, “no action leading to the sale of public land at Gleniffer Brae and this precinct be taken by Wollongong City Council and its non-elected administrators”.

The meeting welcomed a recent commitment by the council to hold off on any discussion of the matter until 2011. It demanded community consultation before any attempts to sell the land were made.

Mercury announces Paola for Keira!

2010-11-26T08:53:00.003+11:00

Check out this little article in today's Illawarra Mercury announcing our campaign for Keira! It also mentions our local candidates running on the Socialist Alliance ticket for the Legislative Council (Upper House).

If you would like to assist the campaign please contact Will on 0425 329 963 or email bendigo1977@yahoo.com.au

All welcome to come along to the first organising meeting this Monday November 29, 7pm @ the Illawarra Activist Centre, 17/157 Crown Street Wollongong (build above hideaway cafe).

NSW is not for sale! Community need NOT corporate greed!

To keep in touch with the activities of the Socialist Alliance in the Illawarra, visit http://www.socialist-alliance.org/illawarra/

Wollongong demands equality NOW!

2010-11-20T09:52:00.001+11:00

Saturday November 20, 2010

Supporters of marriage equality took to the streets in Wollongong today to demand equal rights for same-sex couples.

Rally organiser Paola Harvey said: 'The marriage ban segregates the relationships of queers from those of heterosexuals; this segregation reinforces homophobic attitudes in society'.

But members of Equal Love, the group that organised the action, are optimistic about change. Another rally organiser, AJ Corradini, said: 'We are seeing cracks in the major parties' homophobia and this shows that we are clearly winning this campaign'. Last week Labor's MP for Throsby, Stephen Jones, came out publicly in support of same-sex marriage.

Support the nurses! 1 to 4 NOW!

2010-11-12T09:02:00.004+11:00

Thursday November 11, 2010 - Socialist Alliance members joined the nurses today in support of their campaign for nurse-to-patient ratios. The NSW Nurses' Association (NSWNA) is calling for 1 nurse for every 4 patients to ensure safe patient care.

Hundreds of nurses and their supporters gathered outside Wollongong Hospital today - as part of a statewide week of action - to voice their demands. The action was supported by the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) and the South Coast Labour Council (SCLC). For more information on the campaign visit the nurses' website here: http://www.nswnurses.asn.au/. For more news coverage check out the Illawarra Mercury here: http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/news/local/news/general/overworked-nurses-claim-patients-at-risk/1995123.aspx

Climate change discussed in Helensburgh

2010-11-08T10:16:00.002+11:00

By Chris Williams. Saturday November 6, 2010.

Helensburgh is not renowned for climate activism. A coalmining town, Helensburgh was established around the Metropolitan colliery, Australia's oldest continually operating coal mine, in the 1880s.

The coal transnational Peabody Energy, which owns the Metropolitan, sponsors local activities such as school sporting teams and community fairs.

However, 35 people attended a climate-focused public meeting in the NSW south coast town on November 2.

Organised by the Wollongong Climate Action Network, the meeting heard from Paul Gilding, former head of Greenpeace International (pictured, speaking); WCAN convener Rowan Huxtable; and Jonathan Doig, convener of Sutherland Climate Action Network.

For full article visit: http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/45988

Corruption tactics — outrage management in a local government scandal

2010-11-05T14:55:00.000+11:00

[check out this interesting paper by local UOW professor of social sciences on Wollongong corruption scandal]

By Brian Martin

November 5, 2010 — A mobilised citizenry is a threat to corrupt operations. Therefore, those involved in behaviours potentially labelled as corrupt have an interest in minimising public outrage. Five ways of doing this are to hide the activity, denigrate opponents, reinterpret actions as legitimate, use official channels to give an appearance of justice, and intimidate or bribe people involved. A local government scandal in Wollongong, Australia, illustrates all these tactics, with public hearings and media coverage providing volumes of revealing information. The implication of this analysis is that anti-corruption efforts should emphasise ways of increasing public outrage.

Read the full paper here: http://links.org.au/node/1976

BHP backs down at Bulli - win for community!

2010-11-01T09:13:00.005+11:00

By Chris Williams. Saturday October 30, 2010.

In a win for community campaigners and the environment, BHP Billiton has dropped plans for a massive long-wall mine under the pristine Dharawal State Conservation Area (DSCA) on the NSW south coast.

The decision came on October 26 after a review by the NSW Planning Assessment Commission that said society would be better off without the mine.

Importantly, the review backed up the argument made by community groups that “remediation”, where the company would take responsibility for cleaning up the site, is a myth in these circumstances.

For full article visit: http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/45851

Save Gleniffer Brae!

2010-11-01T09:10:00.003+11:00

By Chris Williams. Saturday October 30, 2010.

About 50 people attended a meeting on October 27 to stop the sell-off of Gleniffer Brae, a historic, heritage-listed manor house in Wollongong. Organised by Reclaim Our City, the meeting discussed the need for Gleniffer Brae — owned by Wollongong City Council — to stay in public hands, and questioned the right of unelected administrators to decide the future of such a valuable community asset.

The October 27 Illawarra Mercury supported the campaign. It said: “Perched on a gently sloping hillside overlooking the magnificent Botanic Gardens is one of Wollongong's most beautiful and historic buildings.

“The building is the heritage-listed Gleniffer Brae … situated on 2.5ha of superbly maintained grounds, which for decades has been part of the fabric of Wollongong. It's the home of Wollongong's Conservatorium of Music where some of this region's finest musicians were taught and, in some cases, took their first steps towards a career in the arts."

The meeting resolved to hold a public meeting at the main gate of Gleniffer Brae at 6pm on November 15 and called on council to place a moratorium on the assessment process.

100% renewable energy plan launched in Wollongong

2010-10-25T10:29:00.002+11:00

By Jess Moore. Sunday October 24.

More than 150 people packed into a Wollongong university lecture theatre on October 21 for the Wollongong launch of the Zero Carbon Australia 2020 Stationary Energy Plan (ZCA2020).

Launches of the plan in Melbourne and Sydney that attracted about 700 and 1000 people respectively, and on October 15 it won the Mercedes-Benz Australian Environmental Research Award.

The plan is the product of a collaboration between the University of Melbourne Energy Research Institute and Beyond Zero Emissions (BZE).

For full article visit http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/45793

Unions discuss politics in the Illawarra

2010-10-25T10:15:00.003+11:00

By Chris Williams. Sunday October 24, 2010.

On October 20, 50 people attended a forum, “Politics, the Union Movement and the Illawarra”, organised by the South Coast Labour Council (SCLC).

Speakers included Darin Sullivan, president of the NSW Fire Brigade Employees Union; Naomi Arrowsmith, Illawarra organiser of the Australian Services Union; and Nicole Calnan, regional organiser of the NSW Teachers’ Federation.

Members of the United Services Union, the Maritime Union of Australia, the Australian Workers’ Union, the National Tertiary Education Union, the Public Service Association, the Greens and the Socialist Alliance were also present.

Arthur Rorris, secretary of SCLC, who introduced the speakers, explained the forum had been called to discuss politics because “politics is how we change the world”.

For full article visit http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/45796. The SCLC has also called for troops out of Afghanistan, check out the details here http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/45814

Jobs with justice campaign visits Wollongong

2010-10-25T10:05:00.006+11:00

By Jay Fletcher. Sunday October 24, 2010.

Mark Fordham, an Aboriginal activist from the Northern Territory and member of the Liquor Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers Union, is touring the east coast to raise awareness about the jobs with justice campaign. The campaign aims to force the government to provide real jobs and services to remote Aboriginal communities in the NT.

In Wollongong, Fordham addressed 40 people at the Illawarra Aboriginal Cultural Centre on October 19. The meeting, organised by the Illawarra Aboriginal Rights Group and chaired by the South Coast Labour Council (SCLC), voted unanimously to endorse the Jobs with Justice statement and continue to build the campaign in the region.

Richard Davis welcomed Fordham to country and stressed the unity of all Aboriginal people in the struggles in the NT. He acknowledged local trade union legend Fred Moore, who was in attendance (pictured with Fordham), as a key contributor to Wollongong's long and proud history of fighting for Aboriginal justice.

For full article visit: http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/45785

Jess Moore explains approach to elections on WIN TV

2010-10-22T13:26:00.003+11:00

Watch local SA member Jess Moore explain our approach to elections and politics on WIN TV news. This is from August 5 this year during the federal election campaign when Jess ran for the seat of Cunningham (we've only just got hold of the footage today).

Students occupy military research facility at UOW

2010-10-21T12:58:00.004+11:00

Congrats to Students Against War (SAW) for organising this fantastic, peaceful occupation of the offices of the Defence Materials Technology Centre (DMTC) at Wollongong Uni.
The DMTC is currently working on the Joint Strike Fighter project with the United States. Shame on UOW!
Stay in touch with SAW via their blog: http://studentsagainstwar.wordpress.com/

Zero Carbon Australia - Wollongong launch!

2010-10-19T11:26:00.006+11:00

FEATURING
Matthew Wright
Executive Director, Beyond Zero Emissions

WHEN
Thursday 21 October, 6.30pm

WHERE
University of Wollongong, building 20, room 3

This is Australia’s groundbreaking new plan for 100% renewable energy by 2020!

New research by Beyond Zero Emissions (BZE), a non-profit climate research and advocacy group, shows Australia could meet 100% of its stationary energy needs from renewables in a decade & stimulate the economy at the same time. This is the sector currently responsible for over half of Australia’s current emissions.

Organised by Wollongong Climate Action Network and UOW Enviro Collective. The Stationary Energy Plan is a collaboration between Beyond Zero Emissions and the University of Melbourne Energy Institute. For more info call Rowan 0408 372 792 or Jess 0416 232 349

STAND UP AND SUPPORT JOBS WITH JUSTICE!

2010-10-11T11:03:00.005+11:00

Wollongong meeting featuring:

Mark Fordham (pictured), former CDEP co-ordinator Ampilatwatja community, Northern Territory; and Tina McGhie, co-ordinator of the Myimbarr Aboriginal Family Support Service.

Tuesday October 19, 12.30pm
Aboriginal Cultural Centre, 22 Kenny Street Wollongong

This meeting will look at the devastating impact that massive job losses through the NT Intervention have had on communities. Mark Fordham will also talk about experiences of the Labor government’s new Community Development Employment Project...s (CDEP) scheme which is forcing Aboriginal people to work long hours for their Centrelink payments, half of which are ‘quarantined’ onto a BasicsCard. In some cases, people are receiving less than $4 cash per hour.

Organised by Illawarra Aboriginal Rights Group (IARG). For more info contact Jay 0438 819 131 or visit http://www.facebook.com/search/?init=quick&q=mark%20fordham&tas=0.8025601209618197&ref=ts#!/event.php?eid=102332456500451 or http://rollbacktheintervention.wordpress.com/

Activists call for ban on Tasers

2010-10-06T10:13:00.004+11:00

MEDIA RELEASE

Wednesday October 6, 2010 - Community activists in the Illawarra have again condemned the use of Taser guns and renewed calls for a ban on the controversial weapon. This calls comes just days after a man in Sydney's west died after being struck by a Taser in the chest by police. A video from 2008 has also emerged of an Aboriginal man with a mental illness being Tasered 13 times by police officers in West Australia.

Jess Moore, Socialist Alliance, said: 'These weapons should be banned. First they were considered 'non lethal' and then 'less lethal'. Now the police are 'comfortable' with the circumstances surrounding a death by Taser. They've argued that Tasers help avoid violent situations. But how is killing a man avoiding a violent situation?

'The NSW government has consistently under-resourced our schools, hospitals and public transport system, and yet spent millions on this dangerous weapon. Even the NSW Ombudsman, Bruce Barbour, has repeatedly questioned the use of Tasers. It's time the government got its priorities right and banned Tasers', she said.

Patrick Harrison, Wollongong Resistance organiser, said: 'Tasers have been disproportionately used on the already marginalised. A really worrying aspect of a recent Ombudsman’s report is that Tasers in NSW have most commonly been used against people with mental health issues. This is absolutely unacceptable given the inadequate funding for mental health in this country.

'We continue to ask the question: how many people will have to die before Tasers are banned?', Harrison concluded.

Billionaires for coal defend world’s richest

2010-10-05T09:52:00.004+11:00

Wollongong's satirical Billionaires for Coal rallied in Sydney on Wednesday September 29 in defence of the Forbes CEO conference, which brought together billionaires from across Australia and the globe. The three billionaires faced off against a group of activists dressed as pirates, who were protesting against the system of global inequality epitomised by the conference.
For more info on the Billionaires visit their Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=98877159602&ref=ts

Tahmoor workers force Xstrata to budge on agreement

2010-10-03T09:46:00.000+11:00

By Chris Williams

Sunday October 3, 2010 - After 23 months of struggle, Tahmoor mineworkers have achieved a new enterprise agreement with their employer, Xstrata.

On September 24, 142 voted for the company’s latest offer and 50 voted against. Until then, attempts by the workers to negotiate were thwarted repeatedly because Xstrata refused to budge, even during mediated talks. Workers have been locked out twice and have taken industrial action on several occasions.

Bob Timbs, vice-president of the Construction Forestry Mining Energy Union (CFMEU) lodge in Tahmoor, wrote on Xstratafacts.com on September 29: “The problem with negotiation is that you never end up completely happy with the outcome, but one thing is for certain: this deal is far better than the one which was offered last Christmas.

“Among the new concessions are improvements to security of employment, crew manning levels, shift and gate seniority, leave allowance and accident pay. A wage increase was also drafted in. None of this would have been possible if the workers hadn’t remained united.”

Timbs told the September 27 Illawarra Mercury: “The 50 that didn’t want it are fairly resentful at what Xstrata has put the workforce through over the last couple of years.”

He continued on Xstratafacts.com: “Xstrata was determined to wage an ideological battle over workers’ rights in Tahmoor, with the company losing significant revenue due to industrial action in the lead-up to this agreement.

“But Tahmoor workers remained steadfast in unity in their fight for fair conditions ... In the end, it was about making sure that Australian workers were not exploited by a multinational giant, which is already profiting handsomely from our area’s resources.”

From Green Left Weekly, visit: http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/45574

Save Sandon Point on WIN TV news

2010-09-28T18:37:00.002+10:00

Check out WIN TV coverage of a recent protest to save Sandon Point. Those interviewed include Jess Moore, Socialist Alliance; Jill Walker, SPATE (Sandon Point Aboriginal Tent Embassy) and Michael Creighton, SPATE.

Defence of Sandon Point continues

2010-09-27T10:20:00.002+10:00

By Patrick Harrison, September 25, 2010

Thirty people gathered at Sandon Point's Aboriginal Tent Embassy (SPATE) on September 23 in a show of opposition to the reported destruction of native bushland and Aboriginal artefacts over the past two weeks by developer Stockland.

Activists conducted a non-violent direct action workshop and hung banners on a highway bridge at the bottom of Bulli Pass.

SPATE supporters and community activists picketing the site received a boost earlier in the week, with a legal appeal obtaining an interim injunction against earthmoving activities in a section of the site containing Aboriginal artefacts, although woodchipping and other activities have been allowed to continue. A spokesperson from Stockland stated that work was continuing elsewhere on the site.

Full article visit http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/45515

Dinner celebrates Jobs for Women victory

2010-09-19T13:54:00.000+10:00

A dinner to celebrate 30 years since the start of the historic “Jobs for Women” campaign was held on September 18 in Figtree, Wollongong. Pictured are some of the original group of 34 test case complainants in the victorious action against the discriminatory employment practices of Australian Iron and Steel (a BHP subsidiary at the time).

Police break up Sandon Point protest

2010-09-18T09:45:00.000+10:00

By Patrick Harrison, September 18, 2010

Police broke up a blockade by several Aboriginal and environmental activists at Sandon Point on September 14 after they tried to stop land clearing by the Stockland property group.

Sandon Point, on the NSW south coast, has cultural significance for local Aboriginal people. It is home to a number of endangered and threatened species, which activists say are threatened by the planned development.

The controversial development has been delayed for more than 10 years by legal appeals and an ongoing community picket. NSW Premier Kristina Keneally approved all remaining stages of the six-stage development application as one of her final acts as planning minister in November 2009.

Full article visit http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/45427

Broad Left relaunches online in Wollongong

2010-09-08T08:03:00.001+10:00

Saturday, September 4, 2010

After a long hiatus, the Broad Left Collective has reformed in Wollongong.

Broad Left played a valuable role in circulating left and progressive news in the Illawarra community from its inception in 1987 until its dissolution over the course of 2002-3.

At a meeting held in June this year to discuss reforming the collective it was agreed that Broad Left could continue to play a valuable role in linking up left and progressive people and groups across the Illawarra.

We are all too unaware of how much is going on even in our local community. Broad Left hopes to contribute to a vibrant left movement by improving the flow of information within the community.

The former Broad Left newsletter was a print publication that was time-consuming and costly to produce. These difficulties contributed to the demise of the original newsletter. It is hoped the new online format will help it avoid such problems. It intends to use the power of the internet to attract new readers and contributors to the project.

[Visit www.broadleft.net today. If you would like to receive a monthly email containing links to each month’s issue please subscribe to our mailing list by using the subscription form on the website or by forwarding your name and email address to subscriptions@broadleft.net .]

Socialist Alliance pledges to fund student organisations

2010-09-01T15:15:00.004+10:00

Wed Sep 1, 2010

Check out today's edition of the Illawarra Mercury, it discusses funding to student organisations. During the federal election campaign Socialist Alliance candidate for Cunningham, Jess Moore, gladly signed the pledge to 'fund our universities, create a more equitable system of Youth Allowance' and 'support student representative organisations'. The pledge was organised by the National Union of Students (NUS).

Xstrata locks out Tahmoor mineworkers again

2010-08-30T08:52:00.002+10:00

By Chris Williams, August 29, 2010.

Coalminers in Tahmoor have been locked out of their workplace again. They've been fighting with their employer, the coal giant Xstrata, for more than 22 months for a fair, new Enterprise Agreement.

Attempts to negotiate have collapsed repeatedly because the company has refused to budge, even during mediated talks.

During a workplace dispute over job security and safety conditions, the workers held a six-hour strike on February 7, followed by a 24-hour stoppage on February 8.

From February 8-15, Xstrata locked out the more than 200 workers with no pay, a dirty tactic given that in Tahmoor one job in every four is connected to the mine.

Workers started industrial action again on June 4 to pressure Xstrata to come to the table. They started with three-hour stoppages then progressed to five-hour stoppages. But when they were notified on June 9 that one of the colliery's longwalls was in trouble, the union agreed to call off the action. This shows that, unlike Xstrata, the union is prepared to be reasonable.

But on August 20, Xstrata locked out the 200 workers again — this time until September 7. Bob Timbs, vice-president of the Construction Forestry Mining Energy Union (CFMEU) lodge in Tahmoor, wrote on the blog Xstratafacts.com: “Last week, we took a vote on the latest offer from the company.

“The two main points of contention for miners were the lack of job security, including the lack of a ‘contractors clause’ that would put some limits around the way contractors are used; and compulsory 12-hour shifts.

“Members at Tahmoor want shifts over 10 hours to be negotiated on a case-by-[case basis], to ensure against fatigue. The vote against Xstrata’s offer was overwhelming — six for, 197 against. This lock-out is pure retaliation — a bullying tactic by a company that didn’t get its own way.”

Xstrata has accused the CFMEU of “undermining negotiations” because the locked-out mineworkers are receiving so-called “strike pay”. The company has just reported that its first-half year profits for 2010 have tripled. Xstrata's net income rose to $US2.3 billion from $690 million a year earlier.

Timbs told the August 25 Illawarra Mercury: “It’s not strike pay from the union, it is money that has been given to us through a trust fund … all the other miners in Australia are throwing in for us.”

Timbs said the company was angry it wasn’t able to “starve the blokes out”.

From http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/45220

PacBrands: Government to blame for job losses

2010-08-27T08:32:00.004+10:00

MEDIA RELEASE

Friday August 27, 2010 - With Pacific Brands’ announcement of a $52.3 million net profit for the year leading up to June 30, Socialist Alliance has slammed the company and Australian government for putting profit before people yet again. Last February Pacific Brands announced it was laying off 1850 clothing manufacturing workers – including 281 in Wollongong – and closing its factories.

Chris Williams, Illawarra Socialist Alliance convener, said: ‘This is just heartless. The massive, $287 million turnaround is off the backs of the workers. Last year Pacific Brands devastated hundreds of families in the Illawarra by laying off people who had given the company decades of loyal service. Now just one year later they gloat about a $50 million profit. It’s a disgrace.

‘The politicians’ talk is cheap. They knew most of the workers were migrant women who would find it extremely difficult to find work again. Most of the workers have only found short-term, casual and insecure work. How must they feel at the huge profits being made now?

'In the two years before the mass sackings, Pacific Brands had received nearly $17 million in government assistance; that money ensured that a number of divisions of Pacific Brands remained profitable. We argued then that the government should have demanded the factories stayed open and that the books be opened to workers and the community. Had the company refused it should have been placed in public hands and the jobs of workers guaranteed. Fair enough after $17 million in handouts! If our course of action had have been followed, the 281 workers would still have stable jobs here in the Illawarra.

'The stock market and the analysts are impressed by Pacific Brands 'successful restructuring', based on offshoring of manufacture and reduction of brands from 350 to 100. But another restructuring, one that saved jobs and retrained workers as needed, was always possible - it could have been focussed on stable government clothing contracts.

‘The $52.7 million should be used to re-open the factories and re-employ the workers. If the Gillard government actually cared about working families that would be its approach’, Williams concluded.

Jess Moore increases vote by 64% Big thanks to everyone who helped out!

2010-08-22T10:08:00.004+10:00

Hi everyone,

With the election result still hanging in the balance, we would like to say a huge thanks to everyone who helped out with the 'Jess Moore for Cunningham' campaign. With 81.6% of the vote counted, Jess has 1155 votes (1.5%). This is already a 64% increase on our 2007 election result! Our highest vote counts came from suburbs close to where Jess lives. In Coledale Jess received 3% of the vote and in Austinmer she received 2.6%. She also faired well in very working class areas, e.g. 1.7% in Bellambi. So far George Takacs from the Greens is sitting on 15% across Cunningham. A big congrats to the Greens for their campaign, especially the wonderful victory of Adam Bandt in the seat of Melbourne and Lee Rhiannon in the NSW senate!!

Jess has been a fantastic candidate and has worked extremely hard during the campaign. She was able to communicate our ideas to a very broad audience and convinced people at every step. For evidence of this check out the campaign blog which documents the campaign: http://www.jessmoorecunningham.blogspot.com/. That being said she would be the first to say this has been a team effort. Thank you so much to the 80 or so people - Socialist Alliance members, supporters, friends etc - who worked on the campaign. A special thanks to our friends in Resistance, the Greens, the UOW environment collective, Equal Love Wollongong and ex-members of the Communist Party of Australia. Whether you helped letterbox, doorknock, fold leaflets, or whatever, your help and involvement is very, very much appreciated. On election day we had 50 people staffing polling booths with others preparing yummy food and drinks for the evening party. Let's stay in touch and continue the fight for a better world. Together we are stronger, and Socialist Alliance members will struggle alongside anyone and everyone willing to combat capitalism and campaign for a safe climate and better world. That means justice for workers, Aboriginal communities, refugees and queers, and for better healthcare, education, welfare and public transport.

Thanks to Jess and thanks to everyone who helped out. Stay in touch with what we're doing by visitinghttp://www.socialist-alliance.org/illawarra/ If you would like to join Socialist Alliance or would like more information please call me on 0425 329 963 or email bendigo1977@yahoo.com.au.

Yours in solidarity,

Chris Williams (Will)

Convener, Illawarra Socialist Alliance

Jess in Northern Leader this week

2010-08-20T08:32:00.002+10:00

Check out this article from this week's Northern Leader; it covers the August 11 'meet the candidates' forum organised by the Wollongong Undergrad. Students' Association (WUSA). Jess was president of WUSA in 2006 and played a leading role in the campaign against John Howard's Voluntary Student Unionism (VSU) legislation.

Jess received a loud cheer when she described this election campaign as the 'most boring' she'd ever experienced, and called on the major parties to actually outline what they stand for.

For Jess's speech to this forum visithttp://jessmoorecunningham.blogspot.com/2010/08/jess-speaks-to-200-students-at.html

Candidate profiles in Illawarra Mercury

2010-08-19T13:12:00.003+10:00

In today's Illawarra Mercury there are profiles of every candidate in the Illawarra. Check out this image from the Cunningham electorate of the Greens' George Takacs and Jess.

Remember if you can help staff a polling booth tomorrow, Saturday August 21, please contact Will on 0425 329 963 or email bendigo1977@yahoo.com.au

For all Socialist Alliance members, supporters, friends and volunteers there will be a 'S.A.N.E party' (Socialist Alliance Night of Election party) from 7pm on Saturday at 13 Girvan Cres, Corrimal. For catering purposes please let Will know on the above number that you'll be there.

Help put people and the planet before profits in Cunningham!