Red Report Back - Week Ending 24/04/2022

No Shame for Warmongers

In a move that perfectly represents the commercialisation and manipulation of our history, the Australian War Memorial have revealed they are pursuing a new sponsorship deal with war profiteers and criminals, Lockheed Martin,  just in time for Anzac Day. The move was announced despite the AWM receiving over 300 letters from veterans and historians who objected to the disgraceful move, and criticised it for degrading the memories of the dead.

The saga highlights perfectly how the current ruling class of Australia manipulates and twists our history to shape the present. They choose to glorify blind patriotism and militarism on days like Anzac Day, rather than learn from the bloodshed and mistakes of our forebears. They have the audacity to act solemn in glorifying a date where thousands of Australians died fighting people they had no quarrel with in foreign lands on behalf of imperialism. The Australian Government says “never forget”, while the military intervene in Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory, and train Special Forces in Indonesia to colonise and commit genocide in West Papua.

Yes, we will not forget the Australian Government’s crimes and shameful actions. We will not forget them, and out of respect to all those who have died from unnecessary wars, we will not forgive them.

Scott Morrison Hates People with Disabilities

Scott Morrison, has come under fire in the media this week for comments he made in relation to people with disabilities. A storm erupted over Scummo’s use of the term ‘blessed’ when talking about how he and his wife have not had children who are faced with disabilities.

However, as is so common with the liberal media, the main point of the issue was missed. Scummo’s words aren’t the main problem, but it is his actions which must be analysed. With him and his fellow callous, uncaring suits in government, the limited benefits that people with disabilities have access to have been continually attacked and eroded. Scummo himself supported shifting the burden of funding the NDIS on to the public by increasing the Medicare Levy, while also voting against a Royal Commission into Violence and Abuse against People with Disability. How blessed he is to not have to worry about such issues.

Furthermore, a recent UNSW study reported on the impact of the cuts to NDIS funding on those with disabilities. More than a third of people on it have experienced a cut of 5%+ to their budget, and there has been a 400% increase in people going to court over their funding costs. Of course, the government fired back by pouring $17.3 million into lawyers to fight disabled people who have dared to ask for the funding they were promised so that they can survive. Under a capitalist for-profit system, the rights and needs of people with disabilities will never be protected. A socialist healthcare system that meets the needs of these individuals and communities is the only solution to the callousness and greed of capitalism.

Melbourne Trams

The Andrews government in Victoria has announced a boost to local manufacturing jobs, with a $1.85 billion investment to go towards building 100 new accessible trams in Dandenong. Due for completion in 2025, the product will feature 65% locally manufactured components, and will create 1900 jobs across the life of the project. With its focus on accessibility, energy efficiency and sustainability, the project has many benefits.

However, this being 21st century Australia, there is always dirt under the rug. The jobs and contracts were awarded to the infamous French rolling stock manufacturer Alstom. The company has been fined in many different countries for corruption with politicians in securing such contracts. This has occurred in Lithuania, England, Tunisia, Canada, India, Poland, Malaysia, Hungary and the US. Australian politicians must go beyond their surface-level appearances, and truly address the need to invest in domestic manufacturing with secure jobs, safe conditions and decent pay for our workers. The capitalist economy and corrupt bureaucrats will always prioritise their pockets and greasing their mates’ hands. We need to prioritise the needs of Australian people, not the bank accounts of corrupt officials.

Garbos Deal with the Trash

Garbos in Melbourne have walked off the job and started stoppages due to a break-down in negotiations with their employer, Cleanaway. The members and representatives of the Transport Workers Union called the stoppages in response to negotiations conducted in bad faith by Cleanaway. These vital workers have received no pay rise for 3 years, and have had to endure workplace bullying in addition to other unsafe conditions.

The shonky behaviour of Cleanaway in adding new clauses into the contract without negotiation or discussion with workers has been called out by the TWU. State Secretary Mike McNess said workers have ‘a right to transparency and explanation of all of the conditions…that will become their future working conditions’. Due to such actions and poor existing conditions, these garbos have been left with no other option. Hold strong, and hold the trash at the top accountable! Solidarity with the striking workers!

Film Fest Takes Flight

This weekend marked the inaugural launch of the long-delayed Dare to Struggle Film Festival. After suffering delays and setbacks due to the pandemic, the film festival finally took place on Friday night. The occasion at the NSW Trades Hall was marked with a trade unionist’s night that showed short films entered in the competition while speakers took to the microphone in between. There were also screenings at the NSW Teacher’s Federation building on Saturday.

Of note at the film festival was the vast gaps between the subject matter on screen, compared to the actions and conduct of many of those in the crowd. On screen, we were presented with highly critical takes that called out half-heartedness, defeatism, backstabbing and opportunism. We saw the justified glorification of militants, revolutionaries and rebels past and present.

However, some members of the crowd represented the opportunistic careerism that has infected and degraded the modern day left like a cancer. Let us take the story tellers and their lessons and impart them into our own lives. Let us take the spirit of Jack Mundey, of the Gurindji strikers, of Palestinian youth, and let us go forward calling out those disgraces who are not worthy of the name comrade, and reconnect the left to its rightful place.

Workers Better Off Red

The ongoing industrial dispute and saga at the Better Read Than Dead bookshop has taken another turn this week. Representatives of the Retail and Fast Food Workers’ Union have announced that the Fair Work Commission has refused to approve the Better Read Than Dead agreement, as the employer failed to explain the terms and their effect to impacted workers. The employer, continuing their anti-worker habits, has refused calls from the union to put the agreement out to a new vote. The whole saga highlights how workers and their unions must grab the bull by the horns and fight for their rights. May the members get the agreement they deserve. Hold that line.