4PR - Voice of the People

Bob Carnegie, a working-class activist, discusses the 1985 SEQEB dispute in Australia, emphasizing its historical and personal significance. He highlighted the global economic context, including Reagan's anti-union policies and Thatcher's monetarist approach, which led to widespread de-industrialization. In Australia, the Prices and Incomes Accord weakened union power, reducing union membership from 51% to 12%. The Electrical Trade Union's fight against subcontracting in the electricity industry sector led to the sacking of 1,007 workers and widespread blackouts. Despite the defeat, Bob Carnegie stressed the importance of resisting tyranny and injustice, quoting William Z. Foster on the value of fighting for working-class rights: "No strike or struggle is wholly ever lost, that it's far, far better to fight a losing fight than to have never fought at all. And most tellingly, he said that an unresisting working class will soon find itself on a rice diet."

The speaker and crowd in attendancde criticized the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) for its failure to report on Australia's involvement in the international weapons trade, particularly in supplying components for the F-35 fighter jets used in Israeli genocide in Palestine and in the conflict with Iran. Specific grievances included the ABC's silence on the $45 billion in subsidies to Rheinmetall for a bomb factory in Maryborough Queensland, the lack of investigation into the export of weapons components, and the promotion of pro-weapons industry think tanks like ASPI. The speakers called for the ABC to be more transparent and critical in its reporting, highlighting the humanitarian and ethical issues at stake.

US Decay and Australia's independence opportunities by LeftPress

Omar Ashour condemns the repeated bombing of Al Ahli Arab Baptist Hospital in Gaza by Israeli forces. It as an act of genocide. The hospital was previously bombed on October 17, 2023, causing significant casualties. Omar indicts Israel for targeting essential infrastructure, including hospitals, universities, schools, mosques, and churches, to make Gaza uninhabitable. He calls for international action to hold Israel accountable under international law. Omar draws parallels to Jesus' stand against oppression, urging global solidarity to end the genocide in Gaza.

Okay for those so you are right to be suspicious. The purchase of these submarines is really alarming, not only because it’s going to cost so much, but because it locks Australia into a certain set of foreign policy values, the US right now, their stated goal is to contain and control China. This is our largest trading partner in the Pacific. I think what’s really lost in this deal, though, is that, although the government is claiming that it will increase our defense capabilities, we will never control these submarines. These will be Australian flag submarines controlled completely by strategic command by the United States. So they now own a part of our Navy, which they can do what they like. In addition to that, because they’re nuclear submarines, we’re going to have to dispose of the waste, and it’s our responsibility under this pack to dispose of it. It’s unbelievable. And on top of that, the deal also includes the upgrading of existing US military bases, which will mean the highest concentration of US military personnel in Australia since the Second World War, right? So, the highest concentration of military personnel in Australia since we are at war in the Pacific with Japan. When? When Queensland, when Brisbane was the headquarters of the Pacific Theater. So it’s not just a deal about submarines that, but between that and the continual operation of Pine Gap, it’s hard to see Australia as a sovereign nation at all anymore. A part of our you know, will be occupied by the Australian military, covered in US bases and part of our Navy will be adjunct to the American war machine. It’s a total disgrace. The current AUKUS pact and the position of Australia and the and the UK and our allies will undoubtedly lead to Australia being dragged into a US led war in the Pacific with China. This is our backyard, and this will be the great conflict of the 21st century. The US and the UK will be safe in the knowledge that they don’t have to deal with it. It won’t be in their backyard. It’ll be in ours. It’ll be our problem. They’ll be safe at home on the other side of the world. But in this disaster, there’s an opportunity. We have seen an increasingly erratic and unreliable United States, one that seems to have an ax to grind against the rest of the world. This is our opportunity to uncouple our relationship with that country. Australia cannot have a truly independent and peaceful foreign policy if we continue our military relationship with the United States, we must uncouple, and this is our opportunity. That is my time. But I’ll just leave you with this, no war, no nuclear subs, no AUKUS !Close Pine Gap! and Free Palestine! Thank you. Applause.

The rally against the state government on March 4, 1978, in King George Square, Brisbane, featured several speakers addressing various issues. Peter Noonan discussed the threat to student unionism, highlighting the Western Australian government's ban on political use of student fees and the potential for similar actions in Victoria. Kev Durnian from the Seamens Union spoke about the Utah dispute, criticizing the company's refusal to negotiate and the repressive measures against the union. Sandra Bloodworth warned of the dangers of uranium mining and the erosion of civil liberties. Megan Martin condemned the Queensland government's right-to-work legislation, which aims to weaken trade unions. John Freeland criticized the government's interference in education, citing the banning of educational materials and the sacking of teachers. The speakers at this rally organized by the CLCC, were trying to build a united front through: Mass mobilization of students and workers to actively resist legislative attacks Support trade unions in their struggles against government repression Maintain solidarity across different social and political movements (student unions, labour unions, civil liberties groups, concerned christians, feminists, peace activists and environmentalists) Organize public rallies and demonstrations to raise awareness Defend the right to march and assembly and democratic rights. Expose how proposed legislation like "right to work" laws aim to weaken collective organizing power in unions.

Speaking at Save UQ Union complex, Sam Watson, a long-time activist for Aboriginal rights, recounted his involvement in the 1970s campaigns to abolish the draconian aboriginal protectionist acts in Queensland. Sam highlighted his early university experience, where he was warned by a senior bureaucrat to avoid campus radicals, which instead inspired him to join them. Watson emphasized the importance of the 'Smash the Acts'apathei campaign, which led to the removal of these oppressive laws within four to five years. He also noted the establishment of the Aboriginal Legal Services and Community Health Services due to these efforts. Watson expressed disappointment that the university does not honor this significant history.