Elections > Federal Election 2007 > Candidates

Susan Austin

Socialist Alliance candidate for Denison

Co-ordinator

Why I am standing

I am standing in the upcoming federal elections because I want to see real social change. Neither of the major parties are putting forward real solutions to problems like climate change, war, economic inequality and racism. We need to kick out the Howard government once and for all, and the Labor party is definitely better than the coalition, but we desperately need to look beyond the two-party, capitalist system in order to take our society forward. Socialist Alliance is keen to work with The Greens and other progressive forces to build grass-roots campaigns that empower people to share information, discuss solutions and strategies and act on our convictions. Collectively we can change our society, just like the people in Venezuela are doing. We don't just want to get elected, we want to change the whole way that decisions get made in Australia, so that more people can have a say in the things that affect their lives. People and the planet need to come before profits!

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Important issues in my electorate

People in Denison are very committed to the natural values of Tasmania, and will come out on to the streets to defend them if necessary. For example, the strong community campaign against the pulp mill shows that people can see through the lies and corruption of the two major parties who are backing this mill, and they are prepared to stand up to protect our environment and the jobs that will be jeopardized in other industries if the mill goes ahead. Socialist Alliance has been actively involved in the campaign to stop the mill.

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Important policy documents

1. Tear up all of Work Choices

No to individual contracts
Yes to collective agreements in workplaces and across industries
The rights of casual and part time employees to be the same as for full-time workers
Defend the right to strike
For strong and democratic unions

Get rid of the Australian Building and Construction Commission

2. Stop the destruction of our planet
The Socialist Alliance supports 60% emissions reductions by 2020 and 90% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels.
Stop logging of old growth forest
Stop Gunns' pulp mill
No dredging of Port Phillip Bay
End the mining and processing of uranium and pull Australia out of the nuclear cycle
Implement an emergency program to phase out coal and rapidly make renewable energy the main source for the power grid
Bring all power industries under public ownership
Free and efficient public transport

3. Make poverty history, free health and education
Universal and free education and health systems
Medicare to cover optical and dental
More money for all levels of public education
No TAFE or university fees
A living wage for all carers, pensioners and unemployed

4. Fix the housing crisis
Stop the privatisation of public housing
Build new public housing to end the waiting list
Improve maintenance of public housing
End private rental profiteering
End repossession of homes due to increases in mortgage repayments

5. Bring the troops home
Withdraw all foreign troops from Iraq and Afghanistan. Let the Iraqi and Afghan people determine their future
War spending to be redirected for social services and to assist poor countries
Free Palestine
No war on Iran
Self determination for the Tamil people in Sri Lanka

6. Defend Aboriginal rights
Solidarity with Indigenous peoples’ struggles
No government intervention in Aboriginal affairs (Northern Territory and elsewhere)
Land rights not land grabs
No more black deaths in custody
Justice for victims of police racism like Redfern’s T. J. Hickie and Palm Island’s Mulrunji 7. Scrap anti-terrorism laws
Stop attacks on Islamic and Middle Eastern communities
Restore civil liberties lost under anti-terrorism laws
Free all people presently held under ‘anti-terror’ laws, like David Hicks, the Goulburn 9 and the Barwon 13, and drop the charges against the 3 Tamil activists
Stop harassment of Mamdouh Habib, and provide compensation for his ordeal

8. End all discrimination
Equal pay for equal work irrespective of sex, age or race
Repeal all laws that discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation
Support same-sex marriage and adoption rights
Expand maternity leave and legalise abortion
All refugees welcome to Australia and be given full citizenship rights
Close all dentention centres and build Refugee Help Centres for new arrivals

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Contact Details

Other Candidates

GRAY, Leigh - LP
HUTCHINSON, Helen - GRN
* KERR, Duncan - ALP
LARNER, Rob - CEC
MUNRO, Robyn - FFP

* incumbent