While reading the latest newsletter (#5) of the Australian Women's Party, I was surprised to discover that the first prize in a recent South Australian AWP raffle was to have the winner's house cleaned.
It is likely that the majority of raffle participants were women and the raffle assumed that a woman would (probably) benefit. Despite the present reality that the majority of housework is done by women, I am disappointed that a women's party acts (albeit unconsciously) to reinforce rather than challenge this stereotype.
Perhaps a more appropriate prize would have been some literature on women's liberation, or perhaps a subscription to a news source covering feminist activities, such as Â鶹´«Ã½ Weekly, to empower women with knowledge and inspiration for the struggle, so that eventually all women are freed from the shackles of privatised, unpaid housework.
Margaret Allan
Summer Hill NSW
Campaign against GST
The achievements of the former Communist Party of Australia were the result of the efforts of Party members in the Unions and in the locality to bring about improvements in working conditions, living standards and social amenities.
The election of Fred Paterson, communist MLA for Bowen from 1944 until 1950, came about as a direct result of his remarkable efforts for the basic needs of his constituents. The same applied to Jim Healey of the Waterside Workers Federation, and the aldermen Tom Wright, Ron Maxwell and Mel McCalman, and other stalwarts of the Labor Movement.
Guided by history, I contend that it is essential to launch a vigorous campaign against the GST. The organisations representing big business interests are supporting a goods and service tax.
That is why the Democratic Socialist Party and the Trade Unions should campaign to explain its detrimental features by the publication of a well-prepared leaflet for distribution all over Australia. The prospects of winning wider support for democracy in Indonesia and East Timor will be enhanced if the DSP is identified with campaigns to defend and improve the living standards of Australian workers, farmers, pensioners and students.
Bernie Rosen
Strathfield NSW
Contracting out
Recently I spent five days as a patient in the Brisbane General Hospital. A woman visitor told me that she was about the use the toilet when the cleaner told her to wait until she had cleaned it. After she finished mopping the toilet floor she used the same mop to wipe over the toilet seat.
The next day a cleaner proceeded to dust the walls whether the beds were occupied or not. I distinctly felt fine particles of dust falling on my face.
Cleaning is not the only contract that has been handed over the contractors. After the hospital canteen was handed over to a private operator, the quality of the food decreased and prices increased.
I noticed the initials B.M.L.S. on the bed sheets. After making inquiries I was told that they meant Brisbane Metropolitan Linen Service and that the hospital's service was about to close. The hospital will be losing one the best and most efficient laundries one could find anywhere. I know because I worked there. Here is another example of our public health system being taken over by private enterprise.
What will be next, perhaps the privatising of hospital wards, where shareholders main interest would be receiving good dividends from their investments, with health care a secondary consideration?
Eddie Kann
Chermside Qld
[Edited for length.]
@letterhead = Blocking the budget
The Cross-Campus Education Network in Sydney is involved in planning the campaign against cuts to higher education. At the last meeting there was debate about what demands should be the focus of the next action on August 29. One idea was to demand that the ALP, Greens and Democrats "block the budget." This was argued against by members of the International Socialist Organisation (ISO), who said that the demand would increase people's illusions in the parliamentary system.
The demand to "block the budget" would actually help break those illusions. It puts pressure on the senators to carry out the wishes of masses people. If they fail to do this, the anti-worker agenda of the ALP and the undemocratic nature of the system will be exposed. The ISO call for a "fight the Liberals" demand. This completely absolves the ALP of any responsibility and therefore helps to sow illusions in that party.
They also want to focus the campaign on the vice-chancellors rather than the government because "the VCs implement the cuts". Sure, but that assumes that the cuts have happened, and also removes the focus from where it should be — on the Howard government. Perhaps further into the campaign the focus will be directed more at the VCs, but at present it would channel people's anger in the wrong direction.
"Block the budget" is a clear, concrete demand, which helps to take the campaign against the Liberals further.
Wendy Robertson
Sydney Resistance
Cancer
When visiting Canada, earlier this year, I bought quite a few books about the politics of cancer treatment plus some excellent self help ones. When I returned home I decided to compile a consumer friendly booklist about cancer as there seems to be a real gap for people as far as information goes. The present facts that are officially given out are biased and hide the true picture.
At the moment orthodox treatments are put forward without statistical evidence of efficacy and the magnitude of side effects are concealed. Information about alternatives that are helpful is censored by the mainstream media and health authorities.
Some books published in North America are unobtainable in Oz bookshops but I have been able to find sales outlets for most of these books. Also, some of the books are available through the State Library of NSW and local libraries. Many thanks to the Health Information Service at the State Library of NSW for the library details.
The list is still in a preliminary stage but, nevertheless, it is very factual and informative. A copy will be posted out to anyone interested. For further information contact Barbara Wright, (02) 9608-2410, PO Box 207, Miller 2168, bwright@peg.apc.org.
Barbara Wright
Miller NSW[Edited for length.]
WP