“Nationalise the Mines, Banks and Energy Companies” is the big call Socialist Alliance is putting out for its election campaign in 2013. We point out that under community control this wealth can be used in a way that respects Aboriginal rights, the environment and social justice (see 0ur election broadsheet).
Socialist Alliance branches have already begun to nominate candidates. This has been made more difficult by the doubling of candidate nomination fees. In particular, the minimum of $4000 now needed for a Socialist Alliance Senate ticket of two candidates has led branches to decide to concentrate their active campaigning in a local lower house seat.
For Queensland, though, this would mean that our members and supporters scattered across a number of cities and towns outside Brisbane – in the south-east, Gladstone, Mackay, Townsville, Charters Towers, Cairns and more – would have no campaign presenting the socialist perspective to support. Of course, we would still support progressive candidates, but we would lose the opportunity to directly discuss the way forward with them and their supporters. Can we turn this around? Do we think running a socialist Senate campaign is important enough? And what can we do to turn the nomination of a Socialist Alliance Senate ticket into a real campaign to put people and the planet before profit?
This is an appeal for support that is also a challenge: can those who would want to see a socialist campaign right across the state in the coming election put in the time and resources needed? Please tell us if you would be willing to contribute in any or all of the ways listed here.
Please reply by May 31. These pledges will be collated to determine if a campaign has sufficient support. A report will be circulated to everyone who makes a pledge of support to advise you of the result and to follow up on pledges if the campaign goes ahead.
