Communist Party Of Australia (SA)

We've moved...

2012-09-03T20:37:00.001+09:30

It's taken a few years but we've finally gone and got ourselves a proper website.

If it's old stuff you're after, posts here go back to early 2005, so trawling through this should keep you happy.

Otherwise, please skip this and get on over to our new site:

http://www.adelaidecommunists.org

While you're there, sign up to our email list to get irregular but interesting updates :-)

CPA campaign featured on ABC's 730 SA

2012-02-04T00:26:00.005+10:30

CPA members were interviewed recently by ABC1s 730 SA program. Here's the result.

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CPA candidate concerned at military’s big plans for Port Adelaide

2012-02-04T00:19:00.002+10:30

Communist Party candidate in the by election for Port Adelaide, Bob Briton, today expressed concern at reports that Australia’s military planners would like to see the upgrading of Port Adelaide “to enable huge navy amphibious ships to load troops and equipment”.

“Port Adelaide is already host to Techport – a military industries hub at Osborne – which produces Air Warship Destroyers, submarines and other equipment designed to fight under US command in pursuit of US military objectives.

“It has nothing to do with defending our sovereignty and everything to do with an eventual showdown between the US and China. China is our largest trading partner and has shown no aggression towards Australia or any other country in the region. In whose interest is it to go rattling the sabre like this?

“The suggestion that Australia needs expanded US naval bases and even facilities for US nuclear submarines near Perth should rouse indignation in all Australians concerned about a drift to war.”

Mr Briton also commented on reports on the questioning of Defence SA chief executive Andrew Fletcher about the involvement of his organisation in garden projects on the LeFevre Peninsula.

“The reason Defence SA is involved in landscaping on the LeFevre Peneinsula is that they are engaged in a charm offensive on the people of the area, to sooth nerves about the militarization of the Port district and the state.

“We have Techport, we have schools feeding students into military industries through specialized curricula and now it looks as if we are going to get huge ships loading troops and equipment from Port Adelaide. We are also going to have uranium exported to India out of the Port if we can’t unite to head off all these reckless plans,” Mr Briton said.

CPA launches by-election campaign in the Port

2012-01-16T16:58:00.002+10:30

The Port Dock Brewery Hotel was packed on Saturday afternoon as the CPA launched its campaign for the seat of Port Adelaide. Among the crowd was Pas Forgione from Left Unity who spoke first on the need to continue building strong and united left coalition in South Australia. Pas relayed Left Unity's support for the CPA campaign before Bob took the stage to introduce the CPA's election platform. Follow this link to read Bob's speech (PDF).

Support the campaign to elect Bob Briton today!

2012-01-01T18:24:00.015+10:30

CPA State Secretary Bob Briton is standing in the seat of Port Adelaide vacated by former Treasurer Kevin Foley and we need your support. Running a strong election campaign is a costly exercise - newspaper ads, flyers, posters, t-shirts and associated costs all add up.

If you would like to make a financial contribution to our campaign to give the people of Port Adelaide a genuine working class alternative at the upcoming by-election, all you need to do is click on the blue button (top right of this blog) to make a secure online donation via PayPal using your PayPal account or your credit card.

Don't trust the web and would rather pay by cheque?

No problem. Cheques can be made out to the Communist Party of Australia (SA Branch) and posted to PO Box 612, Port Adelaide BC, 5015.

Can't afford a financial donation but would still like to help?

We are going to need volunteers for things like handing out how-to-votes on election day, letterboxing and a whole lot more. To volunteer some time to our campaign please email us at cpasouthaustralia@gmail.com or call Bob Briton on 0418 894 366.

VIDEO: Follow this link to see Bob talk about the campaign.

Thanks for helping us provide the people of Port Adelaide with a real working class alternative at the February 11 by-election.

Safety exemption leads to uranium spill

2012-01-01T15:54:00.004+10:30

Communist Party candidate in the by-election for Port Adelaide, Bob Briton, today expressed concern over the recent spill of uranium and copper concentrate into the Edith River in the Northern Territory following a train derailment. An exemption from the SA government’s SafeWork department allowed the toxic material to be transported from Oz Minerals’ Prominent Hill mine in wagons covered only by tarpaulins rather than in the sealed containers normally required.

“The government and SafeWork SA stand condemned over this incident. The rules were bent to allow the greatest profits to flow to the already profit-gorged resource sector,” Mr. Briton said.

“The concern for people of Port Adelaide is that, with exports of hazardous material out of the Port set to increase sharply over the next few years, any accident could seriously threaten the environment and the health of thousands of residents,” he said.

“The government needs to explain itself. It has to demonstrate how the increase in exports of uranium and other hazardous materials out of Port Adelaide can be reconciled with plans for developers to build many new homes around the inner Port,” said Mr. Briton.

“What plans are in place to deal with an emergency presented by the spilling of uranium and copper concentrate, for example, in the district or into the Port River?”

“What assurances can the government give that it won’t grant further exemptions from safety regulations to favour mining sector companies?” he asked.

Bob Briton to run in Port Adelaide by-election

2011-12-15T22:29:00.003+10:30

Communist Party state secretary Bob Briton will contest the by-election for the seat of Port Adelaide vacated by former treasurer and local member, Kevin Foley.

Bob lives in the area and stood in the seat of Lee during last year’s state election with a campaign that attracted considerable interest. The CPA’s campaign theme this time is “Respect the Port – its people, its history, its environment.”

“The people of the Port area have suffered for too long from neglect by Labor and Liberal state governments. Air, soil, noise and water pollution are big challenges for the community and they’re set to get worse as uranium and other exports out of the Port increase in the next few years."

“We’ve been treated like a dumping ground for too long. We need strong representation on these urgent issues."

“The Port needs alternative employment. Military industries are not the answer. They pose a threat to the security of our region and, ultimately, are not in our defence interests. They are viewed by our neighbours as part of a growing aggressiveness on the part of the US in the Asia-Pacific."

“We certainly don’t want our best and brightest high school students funneled into jobs designing weapons. We need them to work on sustainable energy and infrastructure and other fulfilling jobs in the interests of their communities."

“The redevelopment of the Port needs to show respect for the local people and the area’s working class and Aboriginal history. The efforts so far have not been successful because they demonstrated this lack of respect."

“I look forward to the campaign for the seat of Port Adelaide and the opportunity to highlight the needs of residents of the area."

Special Resolutions of the CPA's 23rd SA State Conference

2011-11-21T13:30:00.002+10:30

The following Special Resolutions were adopted at last Saturday's 23rd SA State Conference of the Communist Party of Australia

Visit by US President Obama’s and the establishment of a US base in Darwin:

“This 23^rd SA State Conference of the Communist Party of Australia condemns the decision of the Federal Government to allow the establishment of a base for US marines and war fighting materiel at Darwin. The move aggravates tensions in the region and is clearly designed ultimately to threaten China. We call on the federal government to reverse this dangerous decision, which has angered our neighbours and locks us more closely into the reckless military strategy of the US.”

Baiada chicken workers:

“This 23^rd SA State Conference of the Communist Party of Australia supports the workers employed at Baiada poultry factories as they strive to achieve regular, secure and safe employment in their industry. We support their right to organise in a union and to bargain collectively without intimidation. We call on Party members to be involved in and promote actions in solidarity with these workers in precarious, arduous and undervalued jobs.”

Cuban Five and the US Blockade:

“This 23^rd SA State Conference of the Communist Party of Australia calls on the Australian government to urge the US to free the Cuban Five; to release the remaining prisoners held unjustly in US jails and to allow René González (who was released recently after having served 13 years on a bogus conviction) to return to Cuba.

“We also demand the US be called upon to lift the inhuman economic, diplomatic, cultural and scientific blockade on Cuba. It does damage to the interests of both Cuba and the US and is seen by the overwhelming majority of the countries of the world as an act of vengeance by a superpower towards a country seeking to exert its sovereignty.”

Colombian political prisoners:

“This 23^rd SA State Conference of the Communist Party of Australia calls on the Australian government to use its influence in dealings with the reactionary government of Colombia to seek a political solution to the armed and social conflict in Colombia, to pursue a humanitarian exchange of prisoners in the decades long conflict in the country and to release the 7,500 political prisoners held in Colombian prisons. We condemn the escalation of the policy of so-called “democratic security” that has recently claimed the life of FARC leader Alfonso Cano who was trying desperately to negotiate a peaceful settlement with the Colombian state.”

Iran:

“This 23^rd SA State Conference of the Communist Party of Australia calls on the Australian government to exert its influence on the US administration to pull back from the brink in its plans for acts of aggression against Iran with the assistance of the right-wing government of Israel. We recognise the repressive nature of the fundamentalist regime in Iran but believe that the task of steering that country to a brighter, more democratic future belongs to the popular forces in that country. We seek to promote the greatest solidarity with those forces.”

Olympic Dam/uranium exports to India:

“This 23^rd SA State Conference of the Communist Party of Australia condemns the decision of the federal and SA state government to approve a massive increase in uranium mining at Olympic Dam by BHP Billiton. The decision poses a grave environmental threat to the country and exacerbates the risks associated with the export of uranium. The radioactive material will ultimately end up in unsafe, privately run reactors like those at Fukushima in Japan.

“The reckless decision to allow exports to India will cause tensions in that volatile region to grow and draw India closer into a nuclear alliance with the US against China. We demand investment in sustainable, peaceful jobs.”

2011-11-19T09:39:00.000+10:30

2011-11-08T17:35:00.000+10:30

Watch out Port Adelaide - deadly waste heading our way!

2011-09-24T16:23:00.003+09:30

It’s time to stand up and say NO we are not a sewage dump location

“HIGH – LEVEL contaminated waste from the new Royal Adelaide Hospital site – deemed too dangerous to stockpile in Adelaide – will be stored out doors in Wingfield,” (Advertiser 17^th September 2011)

The 11,000 tonnes of high-level waste containing arsenic, lead and other carcinogens will be treated along with 80,000 tonnes of low and intermediate-level contaminated waste from the former Adelaide rail yard site.

The Wingfield site will store the highly toxic earth out doors next to the Port River Expressway and close to densely populated suburbs and high density traffic.

Stop treating residents like mushrooms keeping them in the dark

1. Most of the contaminated soil would contain Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are highly carcinogenic. Benzene can cause central nervous system (CNS) dysfunction. Toluene also attacks the CNS. Other toxins are less harmful but combined effects could be significant.

2. Lead is well known to reduce children’s IQ levels and Arsenic a well known poison.

All residents in the Port Adelaide area will be exposed

Dust particulate of 10 microns or less (about half the thickness of a human hair) can be blown to any part of the North Western Suburbs. Toxic substances can cause disease at the site where they enter the body – the lungs, skin, and intestines, in the blood that carries them through the body, in the organs that remove them from the body – the liver, kidneys, and bladder.

What should we do?

Residents must put as much pressure onto the state government as possible to stop using our environment as a sewer dump, write to the press, and take the issue up with the local council, local politicians. To reduce the high health risks the toxic dirt must be completely enclosed including transport trucks to prevent wind blowing dust and rain washing toxins into ground water. The shed housing the toxic dirt must have appropriate filters on exhaust systems to capture at least 99% of any toxic substance being discharged into the outside air.

Elliott Johnston 26 February 1918 – 25 August 2011

2011-08-26T10:08:00.007+09:30

The Communist Party of Australia expresses its great sadness at the news of the passing of Elliott Johnston last night. Elliott was a towering figure in the history of the Communist movement in South Australia and a pillar of strength for the oppressed and marginalised. His career in his beloved legal profession is legend – a judge on the SA Supreme Court Bench, controversial appointment as Queen’s Counsel, head of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody. Elliott’s loyalty to the Communist cause was unswerving and his support of many other worthy causes widely known. He was regularly called upon to speak at events where a respected and authoritative voice was needed. His burning desire as he approached the end of his well-lived life was that the forces striving for a brighter future, for socialism, should unite. Let’s carry on in that spirit of unity in action in honour of Elliott Johnston.
Vale Comrade.

Curry with Comrades

2011-07-30T10:17:00.002+09:30

West Adelaide Branch of the Communist Party held its fourth annual Curry with Comrades at the Royal Park Doghouse Club last Saturday Night. A packed hall heard legendary Green Bans pioneer and environmental activist Jack Mundey speak about his experience in the Communist movement and his desire for unity among the forces struggling for socialism. He stressed that only socialism could save the planet from catastrophe and that the socialism of the future must have a central concern for the environment. He praised the comrades in Adelaide for working in a broad and united way with other elements of the left.

Jack has been addressing numerous gatherings lately as Australia commemorates the 40th anniversary of the application of the first Green Bans by the NSW Branch of the Builders Labourers Federation that preserved so much of the cultural heritage of Sydney and elsewhere. Over the weekend In Adelaide he also participated in an event organised by SA Greens entitled "the Green New Deal".

The Curry Night was also addressed by Cuban Consul General Reinaldo Garcia who proposed a toast to Cuba as it prepared to celebrate one of its national days on July 26 - the anniversary of the unsuccessful assault on the Moncada Barracks in 1953 that sparked a revolutionary upsurge that triumphed in 1959. Rex Munn led another rousing rendition of the Internationale at the close of the function.

ADF hits Sydney's streets to prepare for attacks

2011-07-18T17:55:00.005+09:30

As if it's not bad enough that our Defence personnel are being used as cannon fodder in Iraq and Afghanistan, they are now taking to the streets of Sydney "to provide assistance to the people of Australia in times of civil emergency, including in response to terrorist incidents."

In a press release today, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) says that "NSW Police and Sydney-based Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel will conduct mission rehearsal activities in Sydney during the night of 19 July 2011 into the early morning of 20 July 2011. "

The Communist Party of Australia (SA) didn't realise that the streets of Sydney were a potential war zone? And the timing of this release, just 24 hours before the "war games" are to commence gives us little time to warn our Sydney-based friends and family of the impending carnage. If this is a rehearsal we can only assume that the main event isn't far away.

The CPA (SA) calls on the ADF to reveal the nature of the terrorist threats to our nation's biggest city; the public must be made aware of the risks to their safety so they can look for alternative shelter in Australia's new Malaysian refugee camps.

Defence Industry Expo picketed

2011-06-29T13:47:00.012+09:30

The Defence and Industry Exhibition being held in Adelaide was picketed by members of Left Unity yesterday.

Starting at 8am protestors converged on the Adelaide Convention Centre to oppose the Rann Government's continued investment in and promotion of weapons manufacturing in South Australia.

Calling on the government to redirect spending toward sustainable industries, protestors led chants and displayed banners as hundreds of cars streamed up North Terrace during peak hour, often honking horns in response to a placard (below) reading "Honk for war industries out of our schools."

A highlight of the morning's activities was a banner drop from the Morphett Street Bridge crossing North Terrace.

Channel 7 News were on hand to capture the banner drop which was featured in a 6pm news piece airing protestors concerns about the relationship between US weapons manufacturer Raytheon and Aberfoyle Park High School.

Raytheon, who make cluster and phosphorous bombs and other WMDs used by the US military, entered a "sponsorship" arrangement to supply the school with laptops for use by students involved in the State Government's aptly named "Ignite" program for gifted kids a couple of years ago.

The picket outside the Convention Centre carried on with protestors serenading expo participants, representing the likes of Lockheed Martin and BAE-systems, in the centre's courtyard during a lunch break.

A leaflet drop took place in Rundle Mall during the lunch rush to advertise the main protest at 5pm, with many saying they were against what the State Government is doing.

The well-attended rally was high on energy with many speakers condemning the State Government's military adventures in South Australia.

The Communist Party of Australia was involved in the day's activities with State Secretary Bob Briton interviewed for Channel 7 News.

The fight for a shift toward the development of peaceful and sustainable industries still has a long way to go and the left must continue to pressure the State Government to stop promoting the destructive and deadly industries that produce weapons of attack for imperialism.

All countries need a "defence" force to ensure their sovereignty, but Australia, with a population of only 22 million does not need to spend $87million per day on the military in order to support imperialist US wars.

With a failing health care system, under-funded public schools, outdated and over-priced public transport infrastructure and high long-term unemployment, the taxes of the Australian people will be better spent investing in services that benefit the community, not weapons that maim and kill innocent civilians in countries with whom we have no gripe.

Left Focus Autumn 2011

2011-04-18T17:08:00.003+09:30

Taking Issue with public health reform

2011-04-10T22:36:00.003+09:30

CPA (SA) State Secretary Bob Briton talks about the Federal Government's proposals for health reform which, not surprisingly, will pave the way for private health providers to increase profits at the expense of a well-resourced public health system.

Have your web browser or a pen and paper ready for the end of the podcast when Bob gives details of how to get involved in the CPA's public healthcare campaign.

Three ways to listen:

Check out this link to listen, subscribe to our iTunes feed,or stream from our box widget on the right.

Taking Issue is back!

2011-04-01T15:57:00.005+10:30

After a somewhat lengthy haitus, the CPA (SA) has resumed it's legendary (well almost) podcast Taking Issue. In this first episode for 2011, CPA State Secretary Bob Briton talks about the recent NSW State Election and upcoming May Day festivities. Check it out via this link or stream directly from our Downloads widget on the right.

Left Focus Summer 2011

2011-01-17T13:43:00.001+10:30

Open publication - Free publishing - More pollution

A tragedy unfolds

2011-01-12T15:54:00.004+10:30

There is now no doubt that the rising floodwaters swallowing up that part of Australia ironically known as "The Sunshine State" are the worst seen in decades. As most of us in SA enjoy near perfect summer weather while going about our daily routines, its hard not to be bewildered by what we are seeing on our TV and computer screens (the vision is no less dramatic in the print press).

The SA State Committee of the CPA sends its sympathy to the families who have lost (or will lose) loved ones to these devastating floods and encourages wealthy corporations to donate large amounts of money to the flood relief appeal.

Loss of life at Christmas Island a tragedy

2010-12-15T21:57:00.005+10:30

The sinking today of a boat off Christmas Island carrying a large number of asylum seekers is a terrible tragedy and one that should remind the world of the dangerous lengths people are forced to go to in order to flee persecution and violence.

The State Committee of the CPA expresses sympathy with the survivors, many of whom will have lost family members in this horrific incident.

While supporters of both major parties are busy pointing the finger of blame at each other, it is our position that neither the ALP or the Liberal Party have presided over immigration policy that meets Australia's international obligation to provide a safe haven for asylum seekers. Australia is a wealthy country and its people are, in the main, compassionate. Despite this, successive federal governments have persisted with refugee policy that is inhumane and runs counter to UN human rights conventions.

The CPA (SA) demands that the current Gillard Federal Government acts swiftly to adopt a more compassionate and humanist approach to those seeking asylum in our country; there must be no more tragedies like the one we have witnessed today.

A reminder - Adelaide celebrations of 90 years of Communist movement in Australia

2010-10-21T18:33:00.002+10:30

New video of Liliany Obando & Miguel Angel Beltran

2010-10-04T14:09:00.000+10:30

Left Focus Spring 2010

2010-09-29T10:47:00.000+09:30

Open publication - Free publishing - More socialist

Liliany Obando sends greeting to INSPP

2010-08-07T20:27:00.002+09:30