Vol. 72/No. 45      November 17, 2008

A by-election was held in Lakemba following the resignation of New South Wales (NSW) Labor Premier Morris Iemma. Nathan Rees, a former senior advisor to Iemma, replaced him as premier September 5 following a factional struggle in the NSW Labor Party stemming from the deepgoing financial crisis of the state government. Rees has been in parliament for less than 18 months. It is the first time in the 117 years of the Australian Labor Party that a serving NSW premier has been removed by the parliamentary caucus.

“I am standing in the Lakemba by-election to present a working-class voice in politics independent of the parties that support capitalism,” said Robert Aiken in an interview printed in a local newspaper, The Torch. Aiken was the Communist League candidate for the NSW state parliament seat of Lakemba in the October 18 by-election.

The resignations of two other Labor Party cabinet members forced by-elections in the Sydney electorates of Ryde and Cabramatta. Alasdair Macdonald stood as the Communist League candidate in Cabramatta. The elections held October 18 resulted in a 22 percent swing against the Labor Party in both electorates.

Macdonald took part in an October 13 debate along with four of the other five candidates standing for the state seat of Cabramatta. It was moderated by journalists from the local newspapers.

In response to a question put to the panel about parking problems in Cabramatta, Macdonald said, “A range of problems, including more importantly the lack of housing and infrastructure, could be addressed through a massive public works program that would also give work to the rising number of unemployed.”

Covering the meeting and the by-elections, the Fairfield Advance quoted Macdonald saying that “the unfolding financial crisis shows the need for a socialist revolution to throw out the billionaire ruling families and replace them with a workers and farmers government.”

Aiken joined a rally and march to support Lex Wotton in Brisbane October 4. Wotton was the last of 18 Aborigines to face trial over protests that boiled over on Palm Island following the death of Mulrunji Doomadgee at the hands of the cops four years ago. (See article “Australia: rallies demand justice for Aborigines” in November 3 Militant.)

“Working-class fighters are fighting today to defend our unions, oppose racism, protest police brutality and frame-ups and defend Aboriginal rights,” Aiken said in The Torch interview.

Wotton was found guilty by the Brisbane District Court October 24 of “inciting a riot” and remanded in custody to be sentenced in Townsville November 7. Protests on that date demanding that Wotton be freed have been called in Sydney and other cities around the country.  
 
 
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