The appointment of former Queensland Labor premier Anna Bligh as CEO of the Australian Bankers' Association (ABA) is a desperate public relations ploy by the Big Four Australian banks to head off a looming royal commission into their crimes and misdeeds.
Our Common Cause
Our Common Cause is the column of Socialist Alliance in Green Left which is widely recognised as one of the most authoritative left-wing English-language sources of news and political analysis in print and online. Green Left covers many of the issues and campaigns that Socialist Alliance members are involved in.
Members and supporters are encouraged to promote Green Left while campaigning in their communities and workplaces and to become financial supporters of Green Left to ensure its ongoing production and distribution.
WA Socialist Alliance candidate Chris Jenkins explains that the solution to the rise of One Nation - riding on the hate and fear politics of the major parties is to build the genuine party of the left.
Sue Bolton explains that there needs to be a strong response against racism and racist scapegoating. But to really undercut right-wing populism, the left needs to put forward a political and economic alternative and fight for it.
Moreland Socialist councillor Sue Bolton explains that Centrelink staff warned management that the 'robo-debt' notices would be wrong and the new debt recovery system would incorrectly claim overpayments.
The deepening crisis of capitalism and the political polarisation that results makes the task of raising socialist solutions all the more urgent. Socialist Alliance continues our non-sectarian approach to building the movements and campaigns of resistance.
Fremantle Socialist councillor, Sam Wainwright writes that when council voted last year to end the Australia Day fireworks display he fully expected a conservative backlash, but was surprised by the frenzied response from the conservative media and Coalition politicians.
If bosses could get away with it, the powers of the ABCC would be extended far beyond the construction industry. Their objective is to weaken the organisation and resistance of all workers to attacks, whether on penalty rates, the minimum wage or other conditions.
First, young people were told they should not think that they are entitled to rights, such as free education, permanent jobs, unemployment benefits and even pensions when they are too ill or old to work.
Now the attack has shifted to the older generation.
The offshore detention hellholes of Nauru and Manus Island are becoming increasingly unviable as more damning reports are published and protests grow in Australia.
After ripping up Australia's commitment to the 1951 Refugee Convention on several occasions in the past, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced on October 30 that the Australian government intends to do so again.
Those who believe empowered communities are the best defence to politics-as-usual are celebrating the re-election of two hard-working socialist councillors in Victoria’s local council elections held on October 22.
The ABCC and Registered Organisations bills passed in the House of Representatives on October 18.