Showing posts with label Melanie Barnes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Melanie Barnes. Show all posts
August 17, 2010
August 16, 2010
Walk Against Warming speech
Speech from Mel Barnes at the Walk Against Warming
I’m a candidate in Denison and I’m also a climate activist.
The starting point for action on climate change has to be the science. The vast majority of climate scientists around the world say that unless we reduce the amount of carbon already in the atmosphere, we are headed for a climate catastrophe. We need to cut our emissions by 5% a year and move as rapidly as possible to a zero carbon economy.
Delay is denial. 12 new coal fired power stations are in the pipeline to be built over the next few years.
- The NSW state government is planning to construct two new coal-fired power stations, which will increase the state’s greenhouse gas emissions by up to 15%.
- There are plans to open a new coal mine next to the town of Margaret River in Western Australia. Margaret River is famous for its wineries, and relies on the aquifers that will be threatened by the mine. This is part of a bigger plan by the Liberal state government to build 3 new coal-fired power stations in Western Australia, all which have been approved this year.
- Four of the proposed coal-fired plants are in Queensland.
- In South Australia, two new coal-fired stations have been proposed
This is denial.
While the Labor government says that climate change is the greatest moral issue of our time, at the same time they are delaying any real action and hope that we will be fooled. If we complain that their policies aren’t good enough, they say ‘well, the Liberals will be worse’. Which is true, but since both parties are heading us down the path of climate catastrophe, it doesn’t matter that Labor are slightly better. The point is, their policies are not good enough. The starting point has to be the science, and we can’t negotiate with science.
Good climate policy would start with a massive investment in renewable energy. A report just released by Melbourne group Beyond Zero Emissions shows that it is possible to move Australia to 100% renewable energy by 2020. This is a detailed report that shows exactly how we could do this, with technology that is proven and commercially available now, and how much it would cost.
This switch to a clean economy would create hundreds of thousands of jobs. But we would need to ensure a just transition for workers in the old industries to make the switch. Socialist Alliance has a policy of establishing new sustainable industries in the same areas as the old industries and retraining workers on full pay.
The Socialist Alliance would welcome a carbon price because it could raise some money that will be well spent on building renewable energy infrastructure. But a carbon price alone is not enough, it will not get the job done in the timeframe we need it to. So we’re calling for public investment in renewables and for other things like a massive expansion of public transport. In times gone by it was the government that built the railways, the hydro dams, the electricity grid. If we want a new hospital or school we don’t implement a pricing mechanism to make business more interested in investing in these things, so why are we leaving this important transition up to the market? The government has to take on this task. This would cost about 3% of annual GDP for the next ten years, which could be funded by restoring the corporate tax rate to the 1980s level, and by diverting military spending and the $9 billion dollars a year handed out to the fossil fuel industries, for example.
With all the climate-linked disasters happening in the world right now, the floods in Pakistan, the fires in Russia; it is easy to slip into despair.
Mass action is the antidote to despair!
We have the beginnings of a strong climate movement in Australia, and we have to build and strengthen this so that we can force the government to act.
Climate campaigners in Victoria have already won a government commitment to close down part of Hazelwood, the dirtiest coal power station in Australia, and they won’t give up until it is fully shut down and replaced with renewables. Grassroots climate groups like Climate Action Hobart are waging similar campaigns across the country.
In what may amount to a historic moment in the quest to save the world's rainforests and mitigate climate change, Ecuador and the United Nations Development Fund (UNDF) have created a trust fund to protect one of the world's most biodiverse rainforests from oil exploration and development. The fund will allow the international community to pay Ecuador to leave an estimated 850 million barrels of oil in Yasuni National Park in the ground instead of extracting it. This will allow the rainforest protected area to remain pristine: preserving one of the most species-rich places on Earth, safeguarding the lives of indigenous people, and keeping an estimated 410 million tons of CO2 out of the atmosphere.
This would not have been possible if not for the leadership of socialist President Rafael Correa and the Ecuadorian government and shows what is possible when you have a government committed towards putting the environment before private profit.
What would it take to save our forests here? We’re a rich country, we don’t need the UN to step in, we could stop logging tomorrow if the government halted the chainsaws and put in place a transition package for workers.
I’d encourage you to grab a copy of our Climate Charter, our policy which was rated the best on the voteclimate.org website, and read more about what we stand for, and consider joining us. I am also standing as a Socialist Alliance candidate in Denison to call for a fundamentally different system, where instead of corporations having control, ordinary people can have collective decision-making power so that people’s needs and the environment can be put before profits.
I’m a candidate in Denison and I’m also a climate activist.
The starting point for action on climate change has to be the science. The vast majority of climate scientists around the world say that unless we reduce the amount of carbon already in the atmosphere, we are headed for a climate catastrophe. We need to cut our emissions by 5% a year and move as rapidly as possible to a zero carbon economy.
Delay is denial. 12 new coal fired power stations are in the pipeline to be built over the next few years.
- The NSW state government is planning to construct two new coal-fired power stations, which will increase the state’s greenhouse gas emissions by up to 15%.
- There are plans to open a new coal mine next to the town of Margaret River in Western Australia. Margaret River is famous for its wineries, and relies on the aquifers that will be threatened by the mine. This is part of a bigger plan by the Liberal state government to build 3 new coal-fired power stations in Western Australia, all which have been approved this year.
- Four of the proposed coal-fired plants are in Queensland.
- In South Australia, two new coal-fired stations have been proposed
This is denial.
While the Labor government says that climate change is the greatest moral issue of our time, at the same time they are delaying any real action and hope that we will be fooled. If we complain that their policies aren’t good enough, they say ‘well, the Liberals will be worse’. Which is true, but since both parties are heading us down the path of climate catastrophe, it doesn’t matter that Labor are slightly better. The point is, their policies are not good enough. The starting point has to be the science, and we can’t negotiate with science.
Good climate policy would start with a massive investment in renewable energy. A report just released by Melbourne group Beyond Zero Emissions shows that it is possible to move Australia to 100% renewable energy by 2020. This is a detailed report that shows exactly how we could do this, with technology that is proven and commercially available now, and how much it would cost.
This switch to a clean economy would create hundreds of thousands of jobs. But we would need to ensure a just transition for workers in the old industries to make the switch. Socialist Alliance has a policy of establishing new sustainable industries in the same areas as the old industries and retraining workers on full pay.
The Socialist Alliance would welcome a carbon price because it could raise some money that will be well spent on building renewable energy infrastructure. But a carbon price alone is not enough, it will not get the job done in the timeframe we need it to. So we’re calling for public investment in renewables and for other things like a massive expansion of public transport. In times gone by it was the government that built the railways, the hydro dams, the electricity grid. If we want a new hospital or school we don’t implement a pricing mechanism to make business more interested in investing in these things, so why are we leaving this important transition up to the market? The government has to take on this task. This would cost about 3% of annual GDP for the next ten years, which could be funded by restoring the corporate tax rate to the 1980s level, and by diverting military spending and the $9 billion dollars a year handed out to the fossil fuel industries, for example.
With all the climate-linked disasters happening in the world right now, the floods in Pakistan, the fires in Russia; it is easy to slip into despair.
Mass action is the antidote to despair!
We have the beginnings of a strong climate movement in Australia, and we have to build and strengthen this so that we can force the government to act.
Climate campaigners in Victoria have already won a government commitment to close down part of Hazelwood, the dirtiest coal power station in Australia, and they won’t give up until it is fully shut down and replaced with renewables. Grassroots climate groups like Climate Action Hobart are waging similar campaigns across the country.
In what may amount to a historic moment in the quest to save the world's rainforests and mitigate climate change, Ecuador and the United Nations Development Fund (UNDF) have created a trust fund to protect one of the world's most biodiverse rainforests from oil exploration and development. The fund will allow the international community to pay Ecuador to leave an estimated 850 million barrels of oil in Yasuni National Park in the ground instead of extracting it. This will allow the rainforest protected area to remain pristine: preserving one of the most species-rich places on Earth, safeguarding the lives of indigenous people, and keeping an estimated 410 million tons of CO2 out of the atmosphere.
This would not have been possible if not for the leadership of socialist President Rafael Correa and the Ecuadorian government and shows what is possible when you have a government committed towards putting the environment before private profit.
What would it take to save our forests here? We’re a rich country, we don’t need the UN to step in, we could stop logging tomorrow if the government halted the chainsaws and put in place a transition package for workers.
I’d encourage you to grab a copy of our Climate Charter, our policy which was rated the best on the voteclimate.org website, and read more about what we stand for, and consider joining us. I am also standing as a Socialist Alliance candidate in Denison to call for a fundamentally different system, where instead of corporations having control, ordinary people can have collective decision-making power so that people’s needs and the environment can be put before profits.
August 11, 2010
Come Along and Support Mel Barnes at Election Campaign Benefit Gig
Mel Barnes, Socialist Alliance Candidate for Denison Election Campaign benefit gig
Thursday 19th August 8pm Alley Cat Bar, North Hobart
August 07, 2010
SLIDESHOW: Mel Barnes: Socialist Alliance Candidate for Denison in action
Melanie Barnes is a 26 year old climate change activist who works for an environmental NGO. She has a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Indonesian and political science from the University of Queensland. She has been a leader of Students Against the Pulp Mill protests, Walk Against Warming actions, as well as anti-war, refugee, education and women’s rights campaigns. She is the Hobart organizer of the socialist youth group Resistance. She has also studied in Indonesia and represented Tasmania in an educational solidarity tour of Venezuela.
August 05, 2010
Hobart Town Hall Debate
Hobart Town Hall Debate
Forget about twitter and facebook.
It's time for a good old fashioned
Town Hall political debate.
Come along and hear what your
have to say as they via for your vote.
Plenty of opportunity to test their mettle on the issue of your choice.
Wednesday 18th August
6.30 – 8.30 pm
Mel Barnes, Socialist Alliance
Geoff Couser, Greens
Jonathan Jackson, ALP
Cameron Simpkins, Liberal
Andrew Wilkie, Independent
You are also invited to ask a question on behalf of your organisation.
Please let me know in advance so I can add you to the list.
There will also be plenty of opportunity for a general Q & A session.
Could you also please distribute this invitation amongst your networks?
Organised by Hobart
For further information - 0428 243 964
Written and authorised by Bill Harvey
C/- Town Hall Hobart
Election Campaigning Update
Hi all,
There are only 2 weeks and 2 days to go before Australians head to the polls to elect a new national government. We are doing all that we can to try and make sure that people vote for alternative parties that will stand up for the environment and the needs of ordinary people. The campaign for Mel Barnes, our Socialist Alliance candidate in Denison
Mel attended a demonstration today against the proposed plan to burn native forests for power. As a dedicated climate change activist, Mel is also proud to see that the Vote Climate website www.voteclimate.
Have you signed up to her `Mel Barnes for Denison North Hobart on Thursday August 19th, so please note it in your diary and we'll send out more details when they are confirmed.
In solidarity,
Susan Austin
July 27, 2010
Defending Tassie forests
Defending Tassie forests
Saturday, July 17, 2010
By Melanie Barnes
The crisis in the forest industry has provided an opening to end the decades-long fight about how forests are used in Tasmania.
I’m a climate change activist and have lived in Hobart for five years. During that time, I’ve been involved in the campaign against the Gunns’ pulp mill, through the group Students Against the Pulp mill. More recently I’ve been a member of Climate Action Hobart.
I’m running as a candidate for the Socialist Alliance for the seat of Denison in the August 21 federal election.
The “forest issue” is often what people think of when Tasmanian politics is mentioned, and for good reason. Who can forget the images of then Coalition prime minister John Howard being cheered by 2000 logging workers in the 2004 election after he announced old-growth logging would continue indefinitely?
The then Labor leader Mark Latham said: “No policy issue or set of relationships better demonstrates the ethical decline and political corruption of the Australian Labor movement than Tasmanian forestry.”
He was referring to the Labor Party in Tasmania and the forestry sector of the Construction Forestry Mining Energy Union, which had completely aligned themselves with the unsustainable forestry industry — and in particular with the main destroyer of Tasmanian forests, Gunns Limited.
What is often not told is what happened to those workers cheering Howard. With the onset of the global economic crisis and the demand for woodchips plummeting, many lost their jobs. Gunns was more than happy to use workers to defend profits, but ruthlessly shed those same workers when it suited.
The forestry industry is now in deep financial trouble. There is talk from the government about “reforming” or “restructuring” the industry. In May, the state Labor government gave a $3.6 million “assistance package” to forest contractors to continue business as usual.
These corporate bailouts do nothing to restructure the industry for the long term, or to help workers to leave the industry and retrain to find sustainable jobs.
The crisis in the forest industry has provided an opening to end the decades-long fight about how forests are used in Tasmania.
Community pressure led to the government calling talks between environmentalists and the industry, but these talks have been going on between closed doors, without community input.
There is a fear that negotiations could include trading government support for a plantation-based pulp mill in return for an end to logging in high conservation value forests.
The conservation groups chosen to take part in these talks cannot make decisions for the rest of Tasmanians; negotiation should be public, so that everyone can be part of decisions about the future of the forest industry.
Protection of forests in Tasmania is a national issue because forests are needed to reverse the damage of climate change. A study by the Australian National University into the carbon storage of Australian forests found that eucalypt forests of Victoria and Tasmania could contain more than 1200 tonnes of carbon per hectare.
A sustainable forestry industry would have to include:
• an end to logging in high conservation value forests, which destroys ecosystems and carbon banks needed to deal with climate change;
• a ban on wood-fired power stations that use wood from native forests;
• no pulp mill, not even one using plantation trees; and
• a sustainable plantation industry that doesn’t use chemical spraying or monoculture.
Forests are natural resources that should be used in the public interest. Tasmania’s forests should be put under the democratic control of all Tasmanians. When it comes to our environment, the interests of people and the planet should be put ahead of profit.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
By Melanie Barnes
The crisis in the forest industry has provided an opening to end the decades-long fight about how forests are used in Tasmania.
I’m a climate change activist and have lived in Hobart for five years. During that time, I’ve been involved in the campaign against the Gunns’ pulp mill, through the group Students Against the Pulp mill. More recently I’ve been a member of Climate Action Hobart.
I’m running as a candidate for the Socialist Alliance for the seat of Denison in the August 21 federal election.
The “forest issue” is often what people think of when Tasmanian politics is mentioned, and for good reason. Who can forget the images of then Coalition prime minister John Howard being cheered by 2000 logging workers in the 2004 election after he announced old-growth logging would continue indefinitely?
The then Labor leader Mark Latham said: “No policy issue or set of relationships better demonstrates the ethical decline and political corruption of the Australian Labor movement than Tasmanian forestry.”
He was referring to the Labor Party in Tasmania and the forestry sector of the Construction Forestry Mining Energy Union, which had completely aligned themselves with the unsustainable forestry industry — and in particular with the main destroyer of Tasmanian forests, Gunns Limited.
What is often not told is what happened to those workers cheering Howard. With the onset of the global economic crisis and the demand for woodchips plummeting, many lost their jobs. Gunns was more than happy to use workers to defend profits, but ruthlessly shed those same workers when it suited.
The forestry industry is now in deep financial trouble. There is talk from the government about “reforming” or “restructuring” the industry. In May, the state Labor government gave a $3.6 million “assistance package” to forest contractors to continue business as usual.
These corporate bailouts do nothing to restructure the industry for the long term, or to help workers to leave the industry and retrain to find sustainable jobs.
The crisis in the forest industry has provided an opening to end the decades-long fight about how forests are used in Tasmania.
Community pressure led to the government calling talks between environmentalists and the industry, but these talks have been going on between closed doors, without community input.
There is a fear that negotiations could include trading government support for a plantation-based pulp mill in return for an end to logging in high conservation value forests.
The conservation groups chosen to take part in these talks cannot make decisions for the rest of Tasmanians; negotiation should be public, so that everyone can be part of decisions about the future of the forest industry.
Protection of forests in Tasmania is a national issue because forests are needed to reverse the damage of climate change. A study by the Australian National University into the carbon storage of Australian forests found that eucalypt forests of Victoria and Tasmania could contain more than 1200 tonnes of carbon per hectare.
A sustainable forestry industry would have to include:
• an end to logging in high conservation value forests, which destroys ecosystems and carbon banks needed to deal with climate change;
• a ban on wood-fired power stations that use wood from native forests;
• no pulp mill, not even one using plantation trees; and
• a sustainable plantation industry that doesn’t use chemical spraying or monoculture.
Forests are natural resources that should be used in the public interest. Tasmania’s forests should be put under the democratic control of all Tasmanians. When it comes to our environment, the interests of people and the planet should be put ahead of profit.
July 11, 2010
Mel Barnes for DENISON in FEDERAL ELECTION 2010
Mel Barnes: Vote for real change
Mel Barnes, a well-known Tasmanian political activist, will contest the seat of Denison in the upcoming federal elections, for the Socialist Alliance. Barnes is a leading climate and renewable energy campaigner involved in Climate Action Hobart.
She has also campaigned for women’s rights, Palestine solidarity, refugee rights and Latin American solidarity. In 2006, Barnes went on a solidarity tour of Venezuela to learn about the revolutionary changes occurring there. Barnes stood for the Socialist Alliance in the recent state elections.
Barnes is running on a platform of 100% renewable energy by 2020, ending native forest logging, ending the racist Northern Territory intervention and bringing all troops back from Afghanistan.
“Climate change is the greatest threat to ever face humanity”, Barnes told Green Left Weekly. “Yet both major parties have abandoned any action to reduce carbon emissions. They are totally tied to the interests of big polluters and refuse to put people and the planet before profits.”
Barnes called for a vote for actual political change, not a mere rebranding exercise.
"In the face of Kevin Rudd's epic nosedive in the polls since April, the prime ministerial change from Rudd to Julia Gillard is a desperate attempt by Labor to rebrand itself. But Gillard will only mean more of the same.
“Gillard has been responsible for some of this government's most anti-social acts. As federal workplace relations minister, she maintained the Australian Building and Construction Commission, which denies construction workers basic human rights. As education minister, she allowed damaging school league tables to be used by the media, stigmatising those from disadvantaged schools.”
Barnes said the federal Labor government was motivated by short-term political interest, not society’s best interest.
“We must reject this style of politics and vote for parties committed towards genuine change”, she said.
GREEN LEFT WEEKLY ARTICLE (see http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/44659)
Saturday, July 3, 2010 By Susan Austin, Hobart
Authorised by D Nichols. 23 Abercrombie St Chippendale 2008.
Mel Barnes, a well-known Tasmanian political activist, will contest the seat of Denison in the upcoming federal elections, for the Socialist Alliance. Barnes is a leading climate and renewable energy campaigner involved in Climate Action Hobart.
She has also campaigned for women’s rights, Palestine solidarity, refugee rights and Latin American solidarity. In 2006, Barnes went on a solidarity tour of Venezuela to learn about the revolutionary changes occurring there. Barnes stood for the Socialist Alliance in the recent state elections.
Barnes is running on a platform of 100% renewable energy by 2020, ending native forest logging, ending the racist Northern Territory intervention and bringing all troops back from Afghanistan.
“Climate change is the greatest threat to ever face humanity”, Barnes told Green Left Weekly. “Yet both major parties have abandoned any action to reduce carbon emissions. They are totally tied to the interests of big polluters and refuse to put people and the planet before profits.”
Barnes called for a vote for actual political change, not a mere rebranding exercise.
"In the face of Kevin Rudd's epic nosedive in the polls since April, the prime ministerial change from Rudd to Julia Gillard is a desperate attempt by Labor to rebrand itself. But Gillard will only mean more of the same.
“Gillard has been responsible for some of this government's most anti-social acts. As federal workplace relations minister, she maintained the Australian Building and Construction Commission, which denies construction workers basic human rights. As education minister, she allowed damaging school league tables to be used by the media, stigmatising those from disadvantaged schools.”
Barnes said the federal Labor government was motivated by short-term political interest, not society’s best interest.
“We must reject this style of politics and vote for parties committed towards genuine change”, she said.
GREEN LEFT WEEKLY ARTICLE (see http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/44659)
Saturday, July 3, 2010 By Susan Austin, Hobart
Authorised by D Nichols. 23 Abercrombie St Chippendale 2008.
Help letterbox for Mel Barnes in the seat of Denison
Help letterbox for Mel Barnes in the seat of Denison. Meet 1pm at the Hobart Activist Centre, 225 Murray St, Saturday 17th July and join us for drinks afterwards at 4:30pm at the Republic Bar, North Hobart. Ph Linda 6234 6397
July 02, 2010
Mel Barnes for Denison!
Mel Barnes, a well known political activist, will contest the seat of Denison in the upcoming federal elections for the Socialist Alliance. Barnes is a leading climate and renewable energy campaigner in Hobart through her involvement in local group Climate Action Hobart. She also has been involved in various political campaigns, including women’s rights, Palestine solidarity, refugee rights and Latin American solidarity campaigns. In 2006 Barnes took part in a solidarity tour of Venezuela to learn about the profoundly democratic and revolutionary changes occurring in that country. Barnes was also a candidate for the Socialist Alliance in the 2010 Tasmanian State elections.
Barnes will be running on a platform of 100% renewable energy by 2020, ending native forest logging, ending the racist Northern Territory intervention and bringing all troops back from Afghanistan.
“Climate change is the greatest threat to ever face humanity. Yet both major parties have abandoned any action to reduce carbon emissions. They are totally tied to the interests of big polluters and refuse to put people and the planet before profits.
The technology exists to move Australia to 100% renewable energy within ten years. We must make the changes that the planet needs. We can't let current government inaction destroy our future." Barnes said.
In light of recent federal political developments Barnes has called people to vote for actual political change, not a mere re-branding exercise.
"In the face of Rudd's epic nosedive in the polls since April the change from Rudd to Gillard is a desperate attempt by Labor to re-brand itself. But the swearing in of Julia Gillard as Prime Minister will only mean more of the same for the people of Australia. Gillard has been responsible for some of this government's most anti-social acts. As federal workplace relations minister, she maintained the Australian Building and Construction Commission which denies construction workers basic human rights. As education minister she allowed damaging school league tables to be used by the media, stigmatising those from disadvantaged schools.”
"People shouldn’t be hoodwinked into believing we are in the dawn of a new era. Julia Gillard’s reign as prime minister will continue along the same path trodden by Rudd. The federal ALP government is not motivated by what is in society’s interest but rather by what is in their short-term political interest. We must reject this style of politics and vote for parties committed towards genuine change.”
Mel Barnes for Denison!
Barnes will be running on a platform of 100% renewable energy by 2020, ending native forest logging, ending the racist Northern Territory intervention and bringing all troops back from Afghanistan.
“Climate change is the greatest threat to ever face humanity. Yet both major parties have abandoned any action to reduce carbon emissions. They are totally tied to the interests of big polluters and refuse to put people and the planet before profits.
The technology exists to move Australia to 100% renewable energy within ten years. We must make the changes that the planet needs. We can't let current government inaction destroy our future." Barnes said.
In light of recent federal political developments Barnes has called people to vote for actual political change, not a mere re-branding exercise.
"In the face of Rudd's epic nosedive in the polls since April the change from Rudd to Gillard is a desperate attempt by Labor to re-brand itself. But the swearing in of Julia Gillard as Prime Minister will only mean more of the same for the people of Australia. Gillard has been responsible for some of this government's most anti-social acts. As federal workplace relations minister, she maintained the Australian Building and Construction Commission which denies construction workers basic human rights. As education minister she allowed damaging school league tables to be used by the media, stigmatising those from disadvantaged schools.”
"People shouldn’t be hoodwinked into believing we are in the dawn of a new era. Julia Gillard’s reign as prime minister will continue along the same path trodden by Rudd. The federal ALP government is not motivated by what is in society’s interest but rather by what is in their short-term political interest. We must reject this style of politics and vote for parties committed towards genuine change.”
Mel Barnes for Denison!
March 18, 2010
Legalising Euthanasia
Socialist Alliance supports legalising euthanasia and we've advised Dying with Dignity Tasmania (Inc) of this so they've included us on their election website at
http://www.dwdtas.org.au/political/candidates_2010.php
Here is part of our response:
"I am the Socialist Alliance candidate for Franklin. I was given your letter to respond to regarding our position on the proposals outlined...
... I chose to respond to your letter because I currently work as a social worker in a public hospital. I therefore have seen first hand and heard from others the dreadful things that happen because people are not allowed to die with dignity.
I have also just finished the Respecting Patients Choices training about advance care planning. Some of the readings recommended as part of this training highlighted how often patients choices are not respected which is unacceptable and for more needs to be done to ensure that people's choices are honoured...
Socialist Alliance believes that people should have access to legalised
euthanasia with the rigorous protection measures that you outlined in your
letter. We supported the Dying with Dignity private members bill which
was brought forward by the Greens last year. Of course Socialist Alliance
was extremely disappointed that this bill was voted down.
Socialist Alliance will continue to look for opportunities to support any
campaigns to legalise euthanasia in Tasmania and Australia. This is
supported by the majority of the community as highlighted by a recent poll
commissioned poll by Enterprise Marketing and Research Services found 78%
of Tasmanians support euthanasia becoming legal.
We commend your organisation for the wonderful work you do in campaigning
for euthanasia and we will continue to support you and the campaign to
legalise euthanasia in any way that we can.
Kind regards
Jenny Forward
Socialist Alliance for Franklin and
(on behalf of)
Mel Barnes
Socialist Alliance candidate for Denison
http://www.dwdtas.org.au/political/candidates_2010.php
Here is part of our response:
"I am the Socialist Alliance candidate for Franklin. I was given your letter to respond to regarding our position on the proposals outlined...
... I chose to respond to your letter because I currently work as a social worker in a public hospital. I therefore have seen first hand and heard from others the dreadful things that happen because people are not allowed to die with dignity.
I have also just finished the Respecting Patients Choices training about advance care planning. Some of the readings recommended as part of this training highlighted how often patients choices are not respected which is unacceptable and for more needs to be done to ensure that people's choices are honoured...
Socialist Alliance believes that people should have access to legalised
euthanasia with the rigorous protection measures that you outlined in your
letter. We supported the Dying with Dignity private members bill which
was brought forward by the Greens last year. Of course Socialist Alliance
was extremely disappointed that this bill was voted down.
Socialist Alliance will continue to look for opportunities to support any
campaigns to legalise euthanasia in Tasmania and Australia. This is
supported by the majority of the community as highlighted by a recent poll
commissioned poll by Enterprise Marketing and Research Services found 78%
of Tasmanians support euthanasia becoming legal.
We commend your organisation for the wonderful work you do in campaigning
for euthanasia and we will continue to support you and the campaign to
legalise euthanasia in any way that we can.
Kind regards
Jenny Forward
Socialist Alliance for Franklin and
(on behalf of)
Mel Barnes
Socialist Alliance candidate for Denison
March 09, 2010
Socialist Alliance Hobart: 2010 Election Fundraising Dinner
Please come along TONIGHT and support Socialist Alliance at our election fund-raising dinner. There will be gorgeously delicious Latin American food, drinks and music. Invite your friends!
| Date: | Saturday, 13 March 2010 |
| Time: | 18:30 - 23:30 |
| Location: | Hobart Activist Centre, 225 Murray St, Hobart |
Socialist Alliance Announces Forest Policy for 2010 State Election
The Socialist Alliance has given its full support to call to immediately to protect Tasmania's native forests, by adopting in full Climate Action Hobart’s Step 2 in its ten steps for a safe climate as its official Forest Policy for the 2010 election, which is as follows:
“The Tasmanian Government must act immediately to protect Tasmania's native forests as permanent and resilient carbon stores. This would include immediately ensuring that no new logging operations take place in intact natural forests in Tasmania, and commissioning a fully independent accounting methodology for carbon emissions and storage associated with current forestry operations in the State. Recognising that protecting forests in this way will require changes in employment patterns and new skills, a core element of this initiative is for the Tasmanian Government to work with the whole community to devise a genuine and community-owned transition strategy for the forestry industry, to preserve employment during and after a switch from large-scale logging native forests to existing plantations and other activities.”
Socialist Alliance Candidate for Denison, Mel Barnes stated “We think the step as outlined is best way to deal with what is described as the “forestry conflict”. If we are to achieve a safe climate, we need to ensure that no new logging of natural forest occurs, which will immediately reduce Tasmania’s carbon emissions. We know from previous studies that Tasmania’s forests are amongst the most carbon dense in the world, a fully independent study, however would give us the full picture of how much carbon is stored in our forests.”
Barnes continued, “We are proud to be a working class party, which supports working class Tasmanians, so recognizing that a just transition is necessary for timber workers and communities sustained by native forest logging, is incredibly important. We believe it is possible and necessary for workers to support a “genuine and community-owned transition strategy for the forestry industry” and we will seek to convince workers of this.”
The Socialist Alliance also calls on all other parties to adopt this step as their forest policy for the coming elections
Melanie Barnes 0423 978 518
Authorised by Susan Austin, 225 Murray St, Hobart, 7000.
9th of March 2010
“The Tasmanian Government must act immediately to protect Tasmania's native forests as permanent and resilient carbon stores. This would include immediately ensuring that no new logging operations take place in intact natural forests in Tasmania, and commissioning a fully independent accounting methodology for carbon emissions and storage associated with current forestry operations in the State. Recognising that protecting forests in this way will require changes in employment patterns and new skills, a core element of this initiative is for the Tasmanian Government to work with the whole community to devise a genuine and community-owned transition strategy for the forestry industry, to preserve employment during and after a switch from large-scale logging native forests to existing plantations and other activities.”
Socialist Alliance Candidate for Denison, Mel Barnes stated “We think the step as outlined is best way to deal with what is described as the “forestry conflict”. If we are to achieve a safe climate, we need to ensure that no new logging of natural forest occurs, which will immediately reduce Tasmania’s carbon emissions. We know from previous studies that Tasmania’s forests are amongst the most carbon dense in the world, a fully independent study, however would give us the full picture of how much carbon is stored in our forests.”
Barnes continued, “We are proud to be a working class party, which supports working class Tasmanians, so recognizing that a just transition is necessary for timber workers and communities sustained by native forest logging, is incredibly important. We believe it is possible and necessary for workers to support a “genuine and community-owned transition strategy for the forestry industry” and we will seek to convince workers of this.”
The Socialist Alliance also calls on all other parties to adopt this step as their forest policy for the coming elections
Melanie Barnes 0423 978 518
Authorised by Susan Austin, 225 Murray St, Hobart, 7000.
9th of March 2010
February 27, 2010
PUBLICSERVICES@WORK Response
Here is the Socialist Alliance response to the Community & Public Sector Union's (CPSU SPSF Tas) campaign called PublicServices@Work which asked ALL candidates for their response regarding how they will support the Tasmanian Public Service. This was signed by Jenny Forward Socialist Alliance Candidate for Franklin and current delegate for the CPSU (SPSF TAS)and Melanie Barnes Socialist Alliance Candidate for Denison. For more info see it online at http://www.abettertasmania.com/
Dear Tom
Firstly we would like to congratulate the CPSU on organising the Better Tasmania campaign that highlights the important role of the public service as well as asking candidates to outline their commitment to your document Public Services @ Work: Tasmanian Public Sector Policy. Furthermore we would like to congratulate the CPSU on providing ALL candidates with an opportunity to respond to your proposed policy and not just the major parties.
I am happy to inform you that Socialist Alliance fully supports the principals outlined in the Public Services @ Work: Tasmanian Public Sector Policy. We believe in ensuring fairness, security, innovation and governance in Tasmania public services.
We have always supported the salary nexus that would provide workers with pay parity with workers in the rest of Australia. We therefore have supported unions including the CPSU and their members in the Tasmanian Public Service who have been courageously fighting for pay parity despite the State Labor Governments opposition to it over the years. We will continue to support unions and workers who oppose wage agreements that renege on keeping the salary nexus. We were also opposed to the Labor Governments' proposal to try to slash about 800 public service jobs due to the global financial crisis and we were opposed to their axing of the entire Department of Environment, Parks, Heritage and the Arts.
Community mental health services are also struggling as they are staffed well below the benchmark when it comes to both allied health and nursing mental health professionals. The Bartlett Government has released glossy papers on Mental Health Promotion and Early Intervention yet people with acute mental illness and complex co-morbidities sit on waitlists. Grassroots mental health clinical staff would like to extend their services to do early intervention and health promotion activities but because of the chronic understaffing, they end up having to spend all their time responding to those in crisis. Also the hospital psychiatric ward in the Royal Hobart Hospital absolutely needs at least one more social worker, psychologist and occupational therapist to be able to provide real multi-disciplinary treatment to the large numbers of patients.
Health workers play a crucial part in providing public services to Tasmanians yet a Mercury article dated January 29, 2010 stated that a national Report on Government Services reveals that "Tasmania had a lower rate of public hospital doctors and nurses than the Australian average". Socialist Alliance therefore supports an increase in the number of hospital doctors and nurses and this would have a positive impact on services and on the elective surgery waiting lists.
Socialist Alliance therefore believes that the Bartlett Labor Government is not committed to fairness and guaranteed services as they state in their comments regarding your public sector policy. We are also concerned with their apparent push to de-professionalise many areas of the public service which we consider to be a threat to the quality of services to meet the needs of the Tasmanian public.
Socialist Alliance would properly fund all health services to ensure that Tasmanians receive the quality care they deserve. However Socialist Alliance also believes that the public sector should be extended to cover all those economic sectors where public provision would be cheaper, more efficient or provide equality of access. Our belief is that energy and water utilities, postal and telecommunications services, financial institutions, airports and airlines, shipping, railways, the extraction and sale of natural resources, public housing, transport, prison facilities, aged care, child care and health care services should be publicly owned. We also believe that drug development and production should be entrusted to a state pharmaceutical firm; and there should a state superannuation fund, eliminating the risk of workers losing their savings.
For the past two decades both the Labor and the Liberal party have lied to us claiming privatisation would provide cheaper and better health and education along with more affordable and efficient transport, housing and communication and care for our children and elderly. This period has shown us that this is not the way privatisation works and instead and it has forced bills up, jobs down and created a larger division between the rich and poor.
Instead Socialist Alliance supports the rebuilding of our public sector, one that is very well funded and encompassing latest technologies with boards comprising workers, consumers and administrators to ensure accountable, transparent and democratic management. This would provide a system where the government would be directly accountable to the people and would deliver a system of quality, efficiency and duty of care.
Furthermore we propose an alternative to the privatisation of public assets and resources and call for the nationalisation of Gunns Ltd to put these resources in public hands and make the government accountable for their practices.
Another public asset that demonstrates the dangers of privatisation is the Tasmanian rail system. We want to avoid another disaster after it was sold off and then bought back in worse condition. We need to massively expand the rail workforce so that we can provide quality and publicly owned rail services in Tasmania. Unlike the Liberals, Socialist Alliance does not want to expand the Midlands Highway but instead we support the introduction of fast speed trains between Hobart and Launceston as these are a safer and more environmentally friendly alternative.
While we agree with the policy on consultation when any major changes are put on the table, we would argue that unions, as workers’ representatives, need to be involved from the start and major changes to the public sector would need union approval.
To conclude Socialist Alliance has a proud and long history of supporting worker’s rights and struggles both in Tasmania and at a National level and we will continue to do so. The Tasmanian Public Service needs more support to enable it to better meet the sometimes complex needs of the people of Tasmania.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you require any further clarification.
Kind regards
Jenny Forward
Socialist Alliance Candidate for Franklin
Current CPSU Delegate
Mel Barnes
Socialist Alliance Candidate for Denison
Emailed 26/2/10
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex Policy
Socialist Alliance candidate for Franklin Jenny Forward was asked to meet the sexual & gender diverse community at the Kingborough/Huon Valley Coming Out Proud (COP) Community Liaison Committee election forum and to outline our GLBTI policy.
Here is the speech given by Jenny Forward who grew up in the Huon Valley in response to the questions provided by COP. The responses were mainly drawn from the recent national policy adopted at the 2010 Socialist Alliance Conference after extensive consultations with members of the GLBTI communities and Scarlet Alliance:
How will your Government provide access to the GLBTI Community to discuss its issues and develop appropriate policy and practice responses?
We believe in supporting independent social movements to pressure governments. Socialist Alliance believes that the best way for the GLBTI community to influence policy and practice is by being organised and active themselves. The Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group TGLRG led the successful 1988-1997 campaign for gay law reform in Tasmania and it is a wonderful example of what you can achieve and how you can influence political parties through your own activism. Tonight’s forum and ongoing activism and organising by representative groups such as the Tasmanian Council for Sexual & Gender Diverse People are a crucial means of influencing policy and practice.
It is worth noting here that the ALP has recently set up a Social Inclusion Unit within the Dept of Premier and Cabinet but it doesn’t go far enough regarding the GLBTI community as Rodney Croome from the (TGLRG) stated: “We are pleased the Strategy is the first in Australia to acknowledge the exclusion GLBTI people face, but frustrated there’s no pointers for how to tackle this exclusion.” The Tasmanian Council for Sexual and Gender Diverse People also lobbied for greater inclusion to the communities they represent in the Social Inclusion Unit too.
What does your Party see as the major issues faced by the LGBTI community in Tasmania.
We live in a society which attempts to dictate sexual preference and gender identity through promoting the gender stereotypes and homophobic attitudes which underpin the heterosexual nuclear family, and by promoting marriage and the nuclear family as the only legitimate model for relationships. Lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, trans people and intersex people suffer oppression because their lives are a challenge to the nuclear family which is an economic cornerstone of capitalism.
The Socialist Alliance opposes all attempts to shoehorn people into sexual and gender conformity. We believe it is a basic democratic right that a persons’ self-definition of sexual preference and gender identity should be recognised. Heterosexism exists at almost every level in this society, and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity is entrenched in all of the key institutions of society - education, health, the law, the media, family, church and state.
The Socialist Alliance supports politically independent and self-organizing social movements that fight the oppression of women, lesbians and gay men, trans and intersex people, people with HIV and sex workers through mass action, public demonstrations, lobbying, voting and by building alliances with the broader working class, feminist, and anti-capitalist movements.
We oppose sexism, racism, ageism, and discrimination against people with disabilities within the lesbian and gay communities, as we do in the broader community.
Therefore we see that the major issues in Tasmania are:
• Discrimination- schools, workforce, public places and services such as aged care
• Safe Public Housing for LGBTI
• Recognition of same sex relationships
• Funding boost for organisations especially those focussed on youth (as many leave and some suicide)
• There needs to be more acknowledgment of the diversity within GLBTI communities
• Self-determination for the Tasmanian GLBTI community
How would your Government respond to these issues?
• Enact enforceable anti-discrimination legislation to protect lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, people living with HIV and trans and intersex people. We will remove existing exemptions from anti-discrimination legislation in relation to employment for private schools, religious organisations, the insurance industry, the tax system, superannuation etc. The Socialist Alliance will legislate for the right of trans and intersex people to be issued with passports, drivers licenses and other documents specifying the gender (or non-gender) of their choice.
• Legislate full social, legal, trade union and industrial recognition of same sex and gender variant relationships. This would include extending to same sex relationships equal status with heterosexual de factos in superannuation, immigration, taxation, family law, industrial relations and any other laws and regulations; ensure the right of gays, lesbians and gender variants to choose to marry if they so wish; provide independent incomes [Newstart, Pensions, etc] for all regardless of relationship status - this will end state-enforced economic dependency.
• Guarantee the right of gay men and lesbians to adopt or foster children and to access free, safe reproductive technology like IVF. End discrimination against gay men, lesbians, trans and intersex people in child custody cases.
• Legislate against use of non-violent homosexual “advance” as a defense of “provocation” in violent crime.
• Provide full state funding for gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans people and intersex youth programs including refuges and housing services, health services, coming out, self-esteem and suicide prevention programs;
• All public funding for education, youth, aged, health, employment and welfare to be directed though non-discriminatory government and/or secular non-profit community organisations. Education in schools to incorporate positive material on homosexuality, trans and intersex peoples.
• Support Pride Marches, the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, film and video festivals and other queer community events; defend and extend gay, lesbian trans and intersex programming on the ABC, SBS and community broadcasters; work vigorously for an end to the vicious and destructive portrayal of gay men, lesbians and trans people people in some sections of the media.
• Mandatory sensitivity training and refresher courses for the police force in how to deal with LGBTI issues. This education and training must be developed with and by the LGBTI community. The selection of LGBTI liaison officers should be under the control of the LGBTI community and recallable.
• Support gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans and intersex workers; promote strong policies within unions to defend gay, lesbian, trans and intersex workers; support the establishment of gay and lesbian caucuses within trade unions.
Do you believe that GLBTI people are entitled to register and celebrate their relationships as for the Marriage Act?
Socialist Alliance has been active across Australia at a grassroots level on LGBTI issues. We have strong representatives and spokespersons on these issues such as NSW activist Rachel Evans who was the National Union of Students Queer Officer in 2006, she has also been active in Community Action Against Homophobia (CAAH), she also stood in Parramatta NSW Lower House in the federal election in 2007 and was the spokesperson for the NoToPope Coalition in 2008. And I would like to point out that Socialist Alliance has worked closely with the CAAH and has given regular spots to it to discuss issues in our paper the Green Left Weekly. WE have brought up not only these issues but have also highlighted issues facing queer refuges. And through our work in the CAAH we also initiated a petition calling for a repeal of the ban on same-sex marriage.
Socialist Alliance was a key force in Sydney to building mass pressure against discrimination through the passing of the same-sex marriage ban in 2004. When the ALP voted with the bill in the house of Reps, Socialist Alliance organised a snap occupation of the Marriage Registry including a “marriage ceremony” in which two of our members committed themselves to protesting for their right to marry.
Under the growing pressure specifically from the CAAH and the Alliance, the ALP backed away from passing the government’s legislation in the Senate, stating that “not enough community debate” had been had and bringing forward a senate enquiry; of course a week later the National Marriage Forum took place in Canberra, where the ALP announced their changed position to the Christian Right of stating their intention to end the Senate inquiry. I think that this really highlights the need for a mass left movement such as Socialist Alliance which is working on the ground with other organisations to create grass roots pressure on the major parties.
Socialist Alliance members in Hobart have also always played an active role in public campaigns promoting the rights of the LGBTI community and in favour of equal marriage rights.
We believe that marriage rights for GLBTI people are a key demand that must be met. There seems to be wide-spread support for de-facto rights which is also supported by the Labor party, but Socialist Alliance says that this is not enough. De-facto rights do not give comparable rights to those of married couples and to only promote de-facto and shy away from full marriage rights still continues ongoing discrimination.
February 17, 2010
Howard and Hanson gone but Bartlett continues their legacy in Tasmania
Stop the dog whistle politics in Tasmania!
It was revealed on Monday that Pauline Hanson will be leaving Australia for Britain but there has been a recent reminder that while the woman herself is gone, her legacy lives on in the practices of the major parties. The Hobart Mercury reported on February 16 that “northern suburbs focus groups showed that David Bartlett’s proverbial popularity gauge or “worm”, seriously turned when the Premier stood up to Aboriginal protest groups in January”, which “resonated wonderfully according to the Premier’s advisers, with Labor voters in Brighton, Bridgewater, Granton, Glenorchy and Claremont”.
Socialist Alliance candidate for Denison, Melanie Barnes said,” This is the worst type of dog whistle politics. It appears as if it was a deliberate election strategy of the government to attack Aboriginal campaigners and try to ram through the Brighton Bypass in order to curry favour with voters in the Northern Suburbs. This is a classic tactic of trying to divert real anger within the Northern suburbs around issues such as increased electricity and water prices and lack of decent public transport and focus that anger on another disadvantaged group, the Aboriginal community. This is exactly the type of tactics that Pauline Hanson and John Howard used, anger over various issues was diverted to a vile campaign against immigrants. It is disgusting that the Labor Party is willing to resort to these tactics in order to get re-elected.”
The Socialist Alliance rejects this approach to politics and instead argues that the working class and Aboriginal communities are stronger together.
“What working class voters and the Aboriginal community across the state have in common is that they are both under attack by the Labor Government. Just as trying to ram through Brighton Bypass reflects the arrogance of the government, so does ramming through the “water and sewerage reforms” or Tasmanian tomorrow education reforms, both of which have had a negative impact on the living and education standards of those in the northern suburbs. Attacks on the Aboriginal community do nothing at all to alleviate these problems, which stem from the Labor Government. The Union and Working Class movements have a proud history of supporting the Aboriginal struggle, an example of this is right now trade unionists in the Northern Territory are helping to construct houses for the Ampilatwatja community, who have set up a protest camp in response to the racist Northern Territory intervention. All those who oppose racism must take a firm stand against the type of tactics being employed by the Labor Party” Jenny Forward, Socialist Alliance candidate for Franklin
The Socialist Alliance supports the Tasmanian Aboriginal communities fight for justice and will use its campaign to try to increase this support throughout the state.
February 04, 2010
Free the Brighton arrestees, put Bartlett on trail for cultural vandalism!
In response to the first of many cases around those arrested defending Aboriginal cultural heritage, the Socialist Alliance has called on the government to drop all charges against the protestors and immediately halt its construction of the Brighton Bypass.
”It’s ridiculous that members of Aboriginal community and their supporters have been charged for “trespass”, when all they were doing was trying to protect their heritage from being destroyed by an arrogant and out-of touch government who has a history of trying to push through projects regardless of how unpopular it is. It is reasonable and responsible in the wake of cultural vandalism to try and prevent that destruction. Bartlett should be facing a judge about why he is willing to destroy an Aboriginal heritage site, not those who defend it. If the law cannot recognize the difference between those who destroy heritage and culture and those who protect it, then it confirms Charles Dickens saying that “the law is an ass”, said Melanie Barnes, Socialist Alliance candidate for Denison in the state election.
Bartlett’s attempt at talking tough and setting two-week deadlines is an obvious attempt to intimidate campaigners to back down.
Both candidates have vowed to continue campaigning against the destruction of Aboriginal heritage and for Aboriginal land rights, both during the election campaign and afterwards.
”It’s ridiculous that members of Aboriginal community and their supporters have been charged for “trespass”, when all they were doing was trying to protect their heritage from being destroyed by an arrogant and out-of touch government who has a history of trying to push through projects regardless of how unpopular it is. It is reasonable and responsible in the wake of cultural vandalism to try and prevent that destruction. Bartlett should be facing a judge about why he is willing to destroy an Aboriginal heritage site, not those who defend it. If the law cannot recognize the difference between those who destroy heritage and culture and those who protect it, then it confirms Charles Dickens saying that “the law is an ass”, said Melanie Barnes, Socialist Alliance candidate for Denison in the state election.
Bartlett’s attempt at talking tough and setting two-week deadlines is an obvious attempt to intimidate campaigners to back down.
Both candidates have vowed to continue campaigning against the destruction of Aboriginal heritage and for Aboriginal land rights, both during the election campaign and afterwards.
January 30, 2010
Senator Abetz calls for the right to promote violent overthrow of government on TV
Senator Abetz’s claim in the Mercury today that (Venezuelan President) “Chavez closed down TV stations for failing to broadcast his Presidential speeches” is ridiculous.
Socialist Alliance state election candidate Melanie Barnes, who visited Venezuela in 2006, said “In fact the TV stations were closed by the National Telecommunications Commission for failing to comply with the Law on Social Responsibility in Radio and Television.”
“The most notorious of these is RCTV who actively supported a coup d’etat against democratically elected President Chavez in April 2002. This kind of behaviour would not be tolerated in Australia and it is not in Venezuela either. RCTV have continually violated broadcasting laws in Venezuela, before and after the election of Chavez.” http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/analysis/2493
“Senator Abetz’s disparaging comments about Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez are an insult to the Venezuelan people who democratically elected him” said Barnes.
Barnes visited Venezuela as an observer for the 2006 Presidential elections. “The Carter Institute declared these elections free and fair, as did other international bodies. Chavez is hugely popular. Senator Abetz is clearly misrepresenting the real situation when he calls Chavez a despot.”
The Venezuelan government, led by Chavez, have just nationalised supermarket chain Exito in response to price speculation offenses, breaking unfair dismissal laws, failing to pay minimum wages and failing to meet occupational health and safety standards. (Trade Minister Eduardo Samán http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/news/5081)
“If we had this kind of leadership in Tasmania then our dairy farmers would not be being ripped off” said Barnes.
Comment: Melanie Barnes 0423 978 518
Socialist Alliance state election candidate Melanie Barnes, who visited Venezuela in 2006, said “In fact the TV stations were closed by the National Telecommunications Commission for failing to comply with the Law on Social Responsibility in Radio and Television.”
“The most notorious of these is RCTV who actively supported a coup d’etat against democratically elected President Chavez in April 2002. This kind of behaviour would not be tolerated in Australia and it is not in Venezuela either. RCTV have continually violated broadcasting laws in Venezuela, before and after the election of Chavez.” http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/analysis/2493
“Senator Abetz’s disparaging comments about Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez are an insult to the Venezuelan people who democratically elected him” said Barnes.
Barnes visited Venezuela as an observer for the 2006 Presidential elections. “The Carter Institute declared these elections free and fair, as did other international bodies. Chavez is hugely popular. Senator Abetz is clearly misrepresenting the real situation when he calls Chavez a despot.”
The Venezuelan government, led by Chavez, have just nationalised supermarket chain Exito in response to price speculation offenses, breaking unfair dismissal laws, failing to pay minimum wages and failing to meet occupational health and safety standards. (Trade Minister Eduardo Samán http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/news/5081)
“If we had this kind of leadership in Tasmania then our dairy farmers would not be being ripped off” said Barnes.
Comment: Melanie Barnes 0423 978 518
January 29, 2010
Bus it Challenge -- February 1-7 2010.
Your Socialist Alliance Candidates for Tasmania will be participating in the Bus It Challenge and for 48 hours, during February 1 – 7 2010 we will use only public transport to travel to all our appointments and meetings.
Yours in Solidarity
Mel Barnes Socialist
Jenny Forward Socialist
The Bus It Challenge reminds politicians, candidates and prominent Tasmanians what it is like to be staking your livelihood on the reliability of public transport in the hope to spark debate and action towards better outcomes. By committing to use nothing but public transport for up to 48 hours, politicians and candidates will be able to gain a real understanding of our public transport system, the challenges and also a chance to listen to the everyday conversations that take place. The Bus It Challenge will take place from February 1-7 2010. While participants take part in the challenge - they'll have the opportunity to record their experiences online and take part in solution based conversations about how do we head towards better outcomes for Tasmanians who wish to use public transport.
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