Victorious left
* Australia
The radical left did suprisingly well in Victoria's state elections. John Tully i discusses •the implications for closer left cooperation. Melbourne: Weary with "New Right", neo-liberal policies, Victorian voters have swung decisively against the conservative coalition that has governed the state since late 1992. The lower house is now composed of 43 conservatives, 42 Labor and three independents. The independents have decided to back a Labor minority government.
After seven years dictatorship," conservative premier Jeff Kennett is expected to leave politics in the near future.
The independents have issued a charter of key demands that includes a halt to further privatisation; an end to government secrecy; and an inquiry into a number of corrupt government dealings. They have also demanded reform of the state constitution, proportional voting for the upper house, and simultaneous elections and terms of office for both houses.
The independents are quite rightly appalled by Kennett's threats to use his majority in the upper house to frustrate the legislative programme of a Labor/ independent coalition. Radical left also does well
The election also saw an increased vote for the Greens and the candidates of three left-wing socialist parties. Susanna Duffy polled more than 8% for the Progressive Labour Party (PLP) in Northcote; the Democratic Socialist Party's Jorge Jorquera got 5.8% in Melbourne; and Steve Jolly scored an outstanding 12% for the Militant Socialist Organisation in Richmond. These results mirror similar developments for the socialist left in Europe and elsewhere in recent years.
In a happy break from tradition, the left parties and the Greens did not stand candidates against each other and thus avoided splitting the left vote. Closer cooperation
This new spirit of cooperation was explored further at a joint meeting of green and left groups on October 21st.
Also attending was Phil Cleary's 26 International Viewpoint #316 November 1999
"Independent Australia" group. Cleary won the federal seat of Wills in Melbourne as a left independent following the resignation of ex-Prime Minister Bob Hawke, but only held it for one term. If he stood for the Senate, Cleary could be elected. He is a former football star, who has consistently endorsed the PLP's candidates, whilst declining to join himself. Arun Pradhan sent the following report from the meeting: Chris McConville said, on behalf of Cleary's party, that although the party is still developing policy, it opposes all forms of economic rationalism. He supported initiatives for a broad alliance which he suggested could centre on "swapping preferences"
McConville warned against prescriptive or bureaucratic approaches. He said one of the main goals of such an alliance should be the democratic reform of Victoria's upper house.
Gurm Sekhom, the Greens' state coordinator, acknowledged that parliament was not the only road to change, but said the left needed a mouthpiece" in parliament. He discussed the difficulties facing alternatives: to field candidates across the entire state, for example, would cost $46,000.
Victorian (and most Australian) elections are run on the undemocratic preferential system, which, like first past the post voting, entrenches the major parties and allows them to form governments without an absolute majority of the vote whilst keeping dissident voices outside parliament. A change to the more democratic proportional voting system (as in New Zealand) would mean a Left/Green alliance in the state parliament for the first time.
Sekhom expressed the opinion of many of the speakers when he said the Labor Party was politically bankrupt and there is growing space on the left. He said the Greens were already registered, but suggested left parties might want to register together under the banner of some form of an alliance.
Wendy Bainger, from the Geelong branch of the Progressive Labour Party, discussed the development of her branch, which is built on community alliances. Bainger said work with unions, environmentalists and the indigenous community has been key to the PLP's success in Geelong.
Jorge Jorquera from the Democratic Socialists pointed to international examples of left forces overcoming differences, as well as examples from the Democratic Socialists' own history of alliances and joint work.
Both Jorquera and Steve Jolly, from Militant, argued that campaigns were crucial in alliances and support. Both speakers also foresaw future possibilities for socialists and left forces because the union left would be forced to make breaks from a Labor government moving in a conservative
A motion which commended the success of left parties in the state elections and called for "avoiding unnecessary divisions of the left vote was passed unanimously. The motion also called on the parties to increase their levels formulating a clear and concise of common political
Sekhom said that, while the Greens had not voted on the motion, he believed the majority of branches would favour it. In summarising the initiative, Jorquera said that the aim should be for all groups involved to pose "a left list" at the next elections, based on basic green and left principles. acknowledged the meeting was the first step in an ongoing process of dialogue and work, but said it was a very encouraging development. * • Steve Jolly played a leading role in the year-long occupation of the Richmond Secondary College by staff, students and parents in the early '90s, and is a well-known anti-racist campaigner. Susan Duffy has an activist history going back over thirty years and is a well-known presenter on Melbourne's community station Radio 3CR. Duffy was also endorsed by the Greens, the Australian Women's Party and a number of high-profile community and trade union activists. Jorge Jorquera has been active in the Chilean solidarity movement for a number of years. A former Labor member, he is currently the Melbourne branch secretary of the DSP. *