By Jeremy Smith
MELBOURNE — Some 800 people braved poor weather on October 10 to protest against the performance of Australian governments in eroding standards of social and economic justice. The demonstration was called by the Mobilisation for Social and Economic Justice, a coalition of community groups, trade unions and left organisations.
Chanting "Tax the rich, not the poor, money for jobs, not for war" and "People and the planet before private profits", the rally proceeded from the corner of Victoria and Swanston Streets, through the streets of the city to the Swanston Walk.
Speakers at the rally expressed concern at the prospect of the erosion of people's welfare under a Kennett government. Francesca Davidson, Green Alliance candidate in the October state election, emphasised the ways in which young people have suffered under both Liberal and Labor governments. "We are bearing the brunt of the cutbacks the ALP has begun and that the Liberals will continue on the state and probably at the federal level", she said.
Calling for the development of broad alternative politics to tackle the major parties, Davidson said that the Green Alliance would be fielding candidates in the upcoming federal election and that the campaign would be open to anyone. "We must come together to show them that there is an alternative, that there are people struggling for a decent life, for social and economic justice."
On behalf of the Rainbow Alliance, Martin Mulligan highlighted the need for coalition building. "We need to find ways to work together. In the last few months we have had a few hitches in developing the mobilisation. This provides the groundwork for something bigger, broader and with more momentum.
"We don't need a wish list, we need a strategy, a plan of action and some positive policies. Rainbow Alliance has been developing these and we want to share our ideas with others and get their ideas."
The mobilisation plans to continue to organise activities for next year. The coalition will meet on November 11 at RMIT to discuss strategy and action.