Red Report Back - Week Ending 11/09/2022

South Australian Government Move to Enact Bill Against Privatisation 

A legislative bill has been put forward in South Australia this week that would require the state government to seek state parliament approval before any privatisation moves. The bill, introduced by the Greens with the support of Labor, would prevent the sale or disposal of state assets without consideration from the Economic and Finance Committee of state parliament and the approval of both houses.  

Remaining state assets that would be covered by proposed legislation include the South Australian Water Corporation, HomeStart Finance, the Motor Accident Commission, the South Australian Forestry Corporation and the Return to Work Corporation. In stating the reasoning behind the bill, Greens MP Robert Simms highlighted how “privatisation has been a disaster for South Australians, resulting in higher prices, job losses and reduced public services”.  

Likewise, SA Unions State Secretary, Dale Beasley, said that “it’s crystal clear that not only is privatisation bad for our community, but it’s also not electorally popular either”, and commended the proposed legislation in allowing greater scrutiny over the sell-off of government assets. This is a small yet significant move against the relentless tide of privatisation that has swept Australia over the last fifty years.  

With each passing year, more assets are taken from the hands of the public and sold off to the capitalist class to wring further profits from an increasingly disempowered working class. While we recognise the limitations of state-owned assets under a capitalist government, we must also fight to preserve and extend the public ownership of vital services, focussed on servicing the needs of workers rather than accumulating profits for shareholders. While the Liberal Party and other reactionaries are attempting to prevent the passing of the bill, it will be interesting to see if the state will pass a law that is against the interest of its rulers.

RAFFWU Members Resist Non-Union Deal at Readings Books 

As the ongoing dispute between RAFFWU members at Readings books continues to escalate, this week the employers are under fire for attempting to push a non-union deal upon staff. In a misleading statement sent out to workers, the bosses at Readings have been misinforming workers that their current wages are a minimum of 8% above Award rates. 

At the same time, they have been telling the public that the wages are 6% above Award rates. However, investigations by RAFFWU have revealed that the majority of workers are receiving wages that are only a measly 4% above the absolute minimum wage for retail workers in the industry. Additionally, members at Readings have been fighting to address concerns around sexual harassment in the workplace and job security in the face of casualisation in the industry.  

RAFFWU Secretary Josh Cullinan was outspoken in his criticism of Readings, who like many other exploitative, anti-worker businesses shield themselves behind a “purported progressive image”. As with their previous campaign at Better Read Than Dead, these issues highlight the propaganda and struggles we are confronted with when challenging the capitalist class in the modern industrial landscape. Without shame, the capitalist class will weaponise and utilise identity politics, liberal rhetoric and any other tool they can to demonise workers and soil their justified demands for better working conditions and pay. Workers must stick to their guns and work creatively to defeat these new challenges. It is only if we are united that we can win.  

Landlord Politicians – Self-Interest Reigns Supreme 

Crikey’s ‘Landlord List’ has revealed how many declared properties the latest batch of federal politicians own. The list highlights the serious offenders, with the major parties and independents alike represented. The data in this list further exemplifies how the ruling class of politicians in Australia have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo of the housing crisis.  

The report revealed that between the 227 federal members of parliament, there are 510 properties owned, coming to an average of 2.25 properties per MP. Of the members in the current parliament, only 14 declared that they did not own any property. On the other hand, more than 16 MP’s owned five or more properties. The most serious offenders are listed below:  

The data reminds us just how out of touch the politicians of the capitalist state are with the situation and needs of the working class in Australia. With rental and mortgage stress growing alongside homelessness, and decent housing becoming increasingly inaccessible for the majority of working people, politicians are reaping the benefits of owning multiple properties.

Piecemeal reforms have failed to address predatory pricing, subpar rental conditions, public housing wait lists and homelessness, all so that landlords can continue make bank at the expense of working people. It is becoming apparent just how entrenched the interests of the landlord class are in the Australian political system, with public housing being dismantled and construction left in the hands of greedy developers. Workers would do well to remember these offenders the next time they have to pay rent.   

The original Crikey article can be found here:

https://www.crikey.com.au/2022/09/07/politicians-houses-list-how-many-properties-do-they-own/

No Justice to Be Found in Coronial Inquest 

This week saw the continuation of the coronial inquest into the death of Kumajayi Walker at the hands of Zachary Rolfe and the Northern Territory Police Force. Representing the community of Mr. Walker was his grandfather and Warlpiri elder, Warren Japangka Williams, who called for three demands.

These demands centred on reinstating a permit system for outsiders visiting the community, implementing a community council process for the interviewing and recruitment of police in the community, and the reinstatement of the Yuendumu Council as the local government authority.

As the proceedings continue, these demands have fallen on the deaf ears of the Australian legal system, once again doing its best to protect the armed forces of the state and quash the discontent of exploited people. This was highlighted with Rolfe’s legal team attempting to limit the scope of the inquest. This was done to prevent an investigation into whether Alice Springs police officers discriminated against Aboriginal people, whether there is evidence of systemic racism in the police force and whether Rolfe’s actions could have been racially motivated.

This is no surprise, especially following the release of texts involving several of the police officers involved in the murder of Mr. Walker. The coroner is currently assisting the defence in preventing the texts from being admitted, which many have noted for highlighting the racist attitudes police in the area have towards Aboriginals and their communities.

Yet, as per usual, the lack of transparency in the capitalist legal system of Australia means these texts were subjected to a suppression order. Furthermore, the pleas of Mr. Walker’s family and their demands have been dismissed or ignored by the legal system, which is doing its best to protect one of its agents. The Australian state has time and time again shown that there is one law for workers, and one for the capitalist class and their agents. Police can kill with impunity, politicians can lie and steal as they like, and millionaire landlords can do pretty much whatever they please. Workers will not find justice in the legal system that was created to oppress them. Our thoughts go out to the Yuendumu community.