Home » 2009 » #782 » Australian News » Socialists to contest QLD elections
Socialists to contest QLD elections
Dave Riley, Brisbane 7 February 2009
With the Queensland ALP state government rumoured to announce an election date soon, the Socialist Alliance (SA) has selected two candidates to contest the poll.
Watson is well known in Brisbane as one of the main community spokespersons following the death in police custody of Mulrunji Doomadgee on Palm Island in November 2004.
He is an activist of long standing who traces his engagement with Indigenous rights back to the campaigns of the early 70s. Watson is also the Socialist Alliance national spokesperson on Indigenous rights.
Mike Crook is the SA candidate for the northside seat of Sandgate. Crook has been active in many local community campaigns, especially the local Your Rights at Work committee which was very effective in the region against Howards Work Choices.
A long-time member of the ALP, who had stood as a candidate for the party in the past, Crook resigned from the party at his local ALP branch meeting a week ago.
The Greens will also be looking to consolidate on their recent break into the parliamentary sphere in these elections. Until Roman Lee defected from the ALP to the Greens in October last year, the Greens had no representation in Queensland either at the state, federal or local level.
The Socialist Alliance is not as yet a registered political party in Queensland as the states electoral registration laws are some of the most undemocratic in Australia.
However, the Socialist Alliance will be running an open campaign that seeks to engage its membership and support base in the development of its platform. A wide consultation process will be a key part its electoral campaign.
SA is seeking suggestions to be included in its platform as a means to encourage a broader discussion about what sort of politics we need.
You can find out more about the campaign, volunteer your time, join the alliance or contribute to its election platform by visiting In the inner urban seat of South Brisbane, standing against state Premier Anna Bligh, the SA candidate is Indigenous activist Sam Watson.Watson is well known in Brisbane as one of the main community spokespersons following the death in police custody of Mulrunji Doomadgee on Palm Island in November 2004.He is an activist of long standing who traces his engagement with Indigenous rights back to the campaigns of the early 70s. Watson is also the Socialist Alliance national spokesperson on Indigenous rights.Mike Crook is the SA candidate for the northside seat of Sandgate. Crook has been active in many local community campaigns, especially the local Your Rights at Work committee which was very effective in the region against Howards Work Choices.A long-time member of the ALP, who had stood as a candidate for the party in the past, Crook resigned from the party at his local ALP branch meeting a week ago.The Greens will also be looking to consolidate on their recent break into the parliamentary sphere in these elections. Until Roman Lee defected from the ALP to the Greens in October last year, the Greens had no representation in Queensland either at the state, federal or local level.The Socialist Alliance is not as yet a registered political party in Queensland as the states electoral registration laws are some of the most undemocratic in Australia.However, the Socialist Alliance will be running an open campaign that seeks to engage its membership and support base in the development of its platform. A wide consultation process will be a key part its electoral campaign.SA is seeking suggestions to be included in its platform as a means to encourage a broader discussion about what sort of politics we need.You can find out more about the campaign, volunteer your time, join the alliance or contribute to its election platform by visiting 7 February 2009
The regions of Queensland, Australia.
The Premier of the Australian state of Queensland has announced that the state will have its election on Saturday, March 21. In an address on YouTube, Anna Bligh of the Australian Labor Party said that she called the election due to the state of the economy and to stabilise the government.

"It's time for Queensland to settle this election. It's time to settle the speculation. So that government, business and the community can get on with the task at hand and not be distracted and destabilised by looming elections," Ms Bligh said in the statement.

Ms Bligh has recently denied that she would call an early election.

"I have always said that I want my government to run the full term and I have not changed my view on this lightly," she said.

"After 11 years in office, Ms Bligh only cares about one job: her own," said Lawrence Springborg head of the Liberal National Party (LNP) and the Leader of the Opposition. "Queensland deserves better. Over the next 27 days, the LNP will build on our vision for the Queensland we all deserve."
Anna Bligh in 2007.
The Opposition need to pick up at least twenty seats from the government to overcome the significant Labor majority and a number of independents.

"It is a sad legacy of economic management and mismanagement of the Labor Government that after 11 years of the rivers of gold, our state is broke," Mr Springborg said. "It's a little bit like lighting a fire and then running around and wanting credit for putting it out." 

A March 21 election gives candidates twenty six day to campaign. This is just within the legal requirements. The Queensland Electoral Act (1992) requires the election campaign to last between 26 and 56 days.

The Queensland Greens nominated an environmental lawyer to run against treasurer Andrew Fraser.

"We can tackle climate change and create long-term jobs, but Labor can't see that because they are blinded by the interests of their big donors - the urban development and coal industries," says Larrisa Waters, the Greens candidate for Mt-Cootha.

"The Greens want to give the community and the environment a voice back in State Parliament."

"The current stance taken by both major parties, in relation to Daylight Saving in Queensland, is outdated, out of touch and inflexible. South East Queenslanders are frustrated that neither major party is currently prepared to explore options on the issue of Daylight Saving", DS4SEQ party leader Jason Furze told ''Wikinews'' on January 30. DS4SEQ is a single-issue party, focused on the debate on daylight saving time.

Indigenous activist Sam Watson will be contesting the South Brisbane electorate which is currently held by the premier. He will represent the Socialist Alliance. Watson campaigned heavly for indigenous rights since the 1970s and was a community spokesperson following the death of Mulrunji Doomadgee in 2004.