The 2016 Australian Federal Elections
Australian Greens signal pro-business agenda in portfolio appointments
By Oscar Grenfell, 9 September 2016
Greens leader Richard Di Natale installed senators with “fiscally conservative” credentials to key frontbench posts.
Senate result underscores Australian government’s instability
By Mike Head, 6 August 2016
The outcome highlights how far the election backfired for the government and the entire parliamentary establishment.
SEP public meetings review political lessons of Australian election
By our reporters, 26 July 2016
Explosive political developments in the past weeks have vindicated the analysis and perspective fought for by the SEP in the July 2 federal election.
Australian prime minister reshuffles his ministry
By Mike Head, 19 July 2016
Turnbull is attempting to address the two acute pressures bearing down on his government—from Washington and the financial markets.
Fractured Australian government under intense US and economic pressure
By Mike Head, 15 July 2016
Even before Prime Minister Turnbull names his ministry, the government is wracked by recriminations and rifts.
SEP’s 2016 election campaign in Australia furthers fight for international anti-war movement
the Socialist Equality Party (Australia), 12 July 2016
At the centre of the campaign was the development of political analysis to clarify workers and young people on the necessity for a socialist and internationalist perspective.
Coalition parties to form unstable government in Australia
By James Cogan, 11 July 2016
After the political and media establishment did everything possible during the election to prevent any debate on the rising danger of war, that issue is set to erupt.
Australian election outcome heightens divisions within the Greens
By Oscar Grenfell, 9 July 2016
Poor election results by the Greens have provoked bitter recriminations in the party's ranks.
Financial markets intervene in Australia’s political turmoil
By Mike Head, 8 July 2016
Standard & Poor’s has decreed that the next government must “forcefully” impose severe cuts to social spending and other austerity measures.
Australian election crisis fuels rifts in governing Coalition
By Mike Head, 7 July 2016
Even if Turnbull is able to form a government, the result will be an unstable administration, wracked by divisions.
Australian voters speak on Brexit and the political issues facing the working class
By our reporters, 7 July 2016
The remarks of workers and young people underscored the widespread hostility towards the political establishment.
The political issues posed by the Australian election crisis
Socialist Equality Party (Australia), 6 July 2016
The ruling elites, whether in Australia or around the world, cannot return to the stable and predictable parliamentary forms through which they governed in the past.
Australian election: Workers and young people speak on mounting social crisis
By our reporters, 6 July 2016
Many of those who spoke to the WSWS expressed anger over the gutting of essential services, widespread unemployment and the growth of social inequality.
Australian corporate chief suggests a “dictator” to resolve political crisis
By Patrick Kelly, 5 July 2016
Gerry Harvey’s remarks express widespread hostility within ruling circles towards democratic forms of rule.
Australia: Deepening social discontent produces post-election turmoil
By Mike Head, 5 July 2016
The loss of support for the major parties, including the Greens, was most pronounced in the Senate where a record 26 percent of votes went to other political groupings.
Australian voters speak out against drive to war
By our reporters, 5 July 2016
Despite the official conspiracy of silence over the US plans for war against China, workers and youth expressed concern about the growth of militarism.
No party able to claim victory in Australian election
By James Cogan, 4 July 2016
The 2016 election marks a definite turning point in the crisis that has wracked the Australian political establishment over the past nine years.
Australian election: Another Labor war-monger runs for parliament
By Patrick Kelly, 2 July 2016
Khalil is well known within Washington foreign policy, military and diplomatic circles.
Melbourne warehouse workers welcome SEP campaign against war
By our reporters, 2 July 2016
Workers at the Coles-Toll plant spoke on the growing threat of a US-led war against China and Russia, as well as the rising war danger globally.
Vote Socialist Equality Party on July 2
the Socialist Equality Party (Australia), 1 July 2016
The SEP is the only party that fights for the socialist reorganisation of society, in Australia and internationally, to end war and meet the social rights of the working class.
Australian workers and students voice concerns on Brexit
By our reporters, 1 July 2016
Many of those interviewed expressed opposition to the whipping up of nationalism and xenophobia.
The Australian election and the assault on refugees
By Max Newman, 1 July 2016
Workers and youth must defend the basic rights of asylum seekers as an essential part of the struggle to unify the working class internationally.
The Australian Labor Party and the “Gonski” school funding fraud
Chris Sinnema—SEP candidate for the Senate in Victoria, 30 June 2016
While Labor’s planned education funding is a hoax, its plans for regressive new measures against public school teachers are immediate and real.
Australian artists and industry professionals oppose funding cuts
By Eric Ludlow, 30 June 2016
Consecutive Labor and Coalition governments have slashed millions of dollars in funding to a range of artistic disciplines and cultural institutions.
The international significance of the Australian election
By Peter Symonds, 30 June 2016
The political volatility and instability of Australian politics is another symptom of the deepening crisis of global capitalism, sharply expressed in the British vote to leave the European Union.
The Greens’ Adam Bandt promotes a ruling coalition with Labor
By Patrick Kelly, 30 June 2016
The Greens MP has reassured the ruling elite of the Greens’ commitment to a “stable” and “responsible” parliament.
Australian election
Socialist Alliance: A pseudo-left ally of the Greens
Oscar Grenfell—SEP candidate for Grayndler, 29 June 2016
Socialist Alliance is not only falsely promoting the Greens as a progressive alternative to Labor and the Liberals, but is considering liquidating itself into this capitalist party.
Glen Lazarus Team promotes nationalism and xenophobia
Erin Cooke—SEP Senate candidate for Queensland, 29 June 2016
Lazarus blames all of the current economic and social woes on foreign governments, corporations or workers.
Australian politicians appeal for “strong government” after Brexit vote
By Mike Head, 28 June 2016
Nervous pleas for a “stable” majority government have been accompanied by corporate media demands for harsh austerity measures.
Download the Socialist Equality Party How-To-Vote card
28 June 2016
Download the SEP How-To-Vote cards for the Senate in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland, and for the lower house electorates of Grayndler and Blaxland in Sydney, and Wills in Melbourne.
Australian Labor’s fraudulent apprenticeship scheme
By Elle Chapman, 28 June 2016
Over the past four years, under both Labor and the Coalition, the number of apprenticeships has plummeted from 516,000 to 295,000.
SEP rallies present socialist answer to war and austerity
By our reporters, 28 June 2016
For the first time, the SEP streamed the Sydney meeting live on its Facebook page, enabling people to participate across Australia and internationally.
US presidential candidate Jerry White addresses SEP election rallies in Australia
28 June 2016
Jerry White spoke to Australian audiences on the need for the international unity of the working class against war, inequality and the capitalist system.
Participants at SEP rallies speak about war, Brexit, the social crisis
By our reporters, 28 June 2016
Workers and youth attending the Socialist Equality Party’s final election meetings in Australia discuss major political and historical questions.
Socialist Alternative promotes Labor and the Greens as “lesser evil”
By Peter Symonds, 27 June 2016
“Lesser evilism” has long been the pseudo-lefts’ stock-in-trade at election time, but it takes on added political significance amid the deepening crisis of the two-party system.
The Australian election’s “save Medicare” fraud
Mike Head—SEP candidate for the Senate in Queensland, 27 June 2016
For four decades, the reality has been one of a relentless assault on public health care by Labor and Coalition governments alike.
Australian election forum
SEP candidate opposes Greens and Labor on refugees and war
By our reporter, 25 June 2016
Will Fulgenzi explained the SEP’s socialist perspective and its opposition to the nationalist, pro-war policies of Labor, the Greens and the pseudo-left Socialist Alliance.
Queensland SEP candidate discusses socialism and war on 4ZZZ radio
By our reporter, 25 June 2016
Mike Head’s interview began with the 1917 Russian Revolution and outlined the danger of war, the attack on basic democratic rights and the need for a genuinely socialist alternative.
SEP election rally in Sydney on June 26 to be streamed live on Facebook
24 June 2016
The Socialist Equality Party’s final election rally in Sydney, “International class struggle returns: A socialist program against war and austerity,” will be streamed live on Facebook.
Video: The Australian election and the fight against the danger of world war
James Cogan—SEP candidate for the Senate in NSW, 24 June 2016
James Cogan, SEP national secretary and Senate candidate for New South Wales, condemns the US-led preparations for war against China and Russia.
Australian federal election
Grayndler candidate Jim Casey and the fake-left wing of the Greens
Oscar Grenfell—SEP candidate for Grayndler, 24 June 2016
Figures such as Casey are seeking to head off a developing political radicalisation among workers and young people, and channel it back into the dead-end of parliamentary politics.
SEP candidates in Victoria interviewed by SBS Radio
By our reporters, 24 June 2016
Will Fulgenzi and Peter Byrne emphasised the SEP’s fight for a new anti-war movement of the working class, in opposition to the entire political establishment.
SEP challenges Labor, Greens over war policies at Sydney election forum
By our reporters, 23 June 2016
At the meeting, Labor Party candidate and former deputy prime minister Anthony Albanese defended Australia’s military alliance with the US and slandered socialists.
SEP candidate discusses war and the Russian Revolution at Melbourne high schools
By our reporter, 23 June 2016
Fulgenzi was invited to give a presentation to Year 11 politics students and participated in a lively question-and-answer session that followed.
Australia: Katter video depicts him killing Labor and Coalition opponents
By Richard Phillips, 22 June 2016
The vile election ad, which is pitched to extreme right-wing elements, is an incitement to violence against anyone who opposes Katter’s nationalist demagogy.
Australian election rally promotes Greens’ bogus refugee “solution”
By John Braddock, 22 June 2016
The Sydney Town Hall meeting was a thinly-veiled election rally for the Greens.
SEP candidates condemn worsening assault on legal aid
By Mike Head and Erin Cooke—SEP Senate candidates for Queensland, 22 June 2016
Cuts to legal assistance in Australia are part of a wider austerity offensive against the working class, while billions of dollars are being spent on the military in preparation for war.
Australian Labor Party vows “freedom of navigation” provocations against China
By James Cogan, 21 June 2016
Of the two main establishment parties, Labor is the most militarist, bellicose and committed to the US alliance, whatever the consequences.
SEP election campaign team visits lead-affected suburb
By our reporters, 21 June 2016
What has happened in Boolaroo typifies the corporate and government contempt for the health and safety of workers and their families.
Socialist Equality Party candidate interviewed by community radio station
By our reporter, 21 June 2016
”We are fighting to build a party against war,” Gabriela Zabala told the Muslim radio station 2MFM.
Australian Labor’s campaign launch features lies and duplicity
By Mike Head, 20 June 2016
Shorten sought to reassure big business of Labor’s commitment to austerity, while falsely promising voters that it would maintain jobs and essential services.
SEP senate candidate speaks with Melbourne tram drivers
By our reporters, 20 June 2016
Chris Sinnema received a warm response when he outlined the party’s fight for a new anti-war movement of the working class.
Australian election: Murdoch paper excludes “minor parties” from candidates’ forum
By our reporters, 18 June 2016
A candidates’ forum in Sydney’s inner west only permitted Liberal Party, Labor and Greens representatives to make opening and closing remarks.
Blaxland: A microcosm of Australia’s social crisis
John Davis—SEP candidate for the Senate in NSW, 17 June 2016
Bankstown and the surrounding suburbs provide a picture of the worsening economic and social conditions facing millions of working people.
Political crisis deepens in Australia’s “double dissolution” election
By Mike Head, 16 June 2016
Despite growing public hostility and alienation, both major parties have publicly committed to imposing the austerity demands of the financial and corporate elite.
SEP election meetings outline alternative to war and austerity
By our reporters, 14 June 2016
SEP candidates spoke out against Australia’s integration into the US war drive against China and the mounting social crisis facing the working class.
ASPI think tank warns of war with China and attacks on Australia
By James Cogan, 13 June 2016
The Australian population has been kept in the dark about the content of the document.
Australia: Labor unveils “tough, unpopular” budget cuts
By Mike Head, 11 June 2016
Labor underscored its commitment to satisfying the demands of the corporate elite for sweeping cuts to social spending.
Defend the rights of New Zealanders in Australia! Support the Socialist Equality Party!
By the Socialist Equality Group (New Zealand), 11 June 2016
The SEP is the only party in the Australian election that intransigently opposes all forms of nationalism and defends the basic rights of refugees and immigrants.
Australian elections: Workers and young people speak on mounting social divide
By our reporters, 10 June 2016
The growth of poverty and social distress is being ignored by the campaigns of the major parties and the corporate press.
Socialist Equality Party final election rallies
International class struggle returns: A socialist program against war and austerity
10 June 2016
The meetings will outline the socialist perspective necessary to take forward the independent, international interests of the working class.
SEP Senate candidate Peter Byrne calls for anti-war movement at election forum
By our reporters, 9 June 2016
“We’re standing in this election, in opposition to every other party, to warn of the danger of war. It’s the great unmentionable.”
Australia’s increasing suicide rate linked to social crisis
By Michelle Stevens, 8 June 2016
The recent report draws a connection between deteriorating economic conditions and the 22 percent increase in suicide between 2004 and 2014.
Australia: The promotion of Senator Jacqui Lambie
Mike Head—SEP Senate candidate for Queensland, 8 June 2016
Lambie has sought to fashion another right-wing populist formation to divert the mounting social and class tensions.
SEP holds election meetings in Sydney and Melbourne
By our reporters, 7 June 2016
At both meetings, workers and young people discussed the socialist alternative to war, austerity and the assault on democratic rights.
What the Royal Commission into Australia’s trade unions revealed
Part Five: The TWU and MUA “training funds” and the CFMEU’s “drug and alcohol committee”
By Will Fulgenzi—SEP candidate for Wills, 7 June 2016
Millions of dollars flow into trade union coffers via arrangements between their various “funds,” “organisations” and “committees,” and the major employers.
What the Royal Commission into Australia’s trade unions revealed
Part Four: The CFMEU’s “training organisations” and “charities”
By Will Fulgenzi—SEP candidate for Wills, 6 June 2016
The crown for the most egregious of the unions’ various corporate entities must go to the CFMEU’s “training” organisations and “charities.”
Australia’s Nick Xenophon: An “anti-politician” with a nationalist and militarist program
Mike Head—SEP candidate for the Senate in Queensland, 4 June 2016
Xenophon’s party is trying to channel the immense social discontent being produced by massive job losses back into the dead-end of the parliamentary system.
What the Royal Commission into Australia’s trade unions revealed
Part Three: The trade unions as insurance brokers
By Will Fulgenzi—SEP candidate for Wills, 4 June 2016
Behind their backs, unions and employers funnel workers’ entitlements for illness, redundancy, injury and death into the unions’ own insurance companies.
What the Royal Commission into Australia’s trade unions revealed
Part Two: Companies pay union “membership fees”
By Will Fulgenzi—SEP candidate for Wills, 3 June 2016
In exchange for implementing their agenda, major employers pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to the unions.
What the Royal Commission into Australia’s trade unions revealed
Part One: Workers need new organisations of struggle!
By Will Fulgenzi—SEP candidate for Wills, 2 June 2016
While the Commission’s motivations are reactionary, its report demonstrates that the unions are nothing but labour management businesses whose role is to destroy workers’ conditions.
Sydney University’s US Studies Centre: A bastion of pro-war strategy and propaganda
Oscar Grenfell—SEP candidate for Grayndler, 2 June 2016
The centre’s significance is underscored by the decision of Sydney University authorities to ban an anti-war meeting of the SEP on the Anzac Day weekend last year.
Australia: “Q&A” segment reveals a yawning social divide
Mike Head—Socialist Equality Party candidate for the Senate in Queensland, 1 June 2016
Questions put to the politicians gave a glimpse of the disconnect between ordinary working people and the political elite.
SEP candidate challenges Labor, Greens, pseudo-left on climate change, war
By our reporters, 1 June 2016
In addition to outlining the necessary socialist policies required to resolve the climate change crisis, Fulgenzi exposed the pro-war agenda of the Labor Party and the Greens.
Australian election: SEP candidates campaign against war
By our reporters, 31 May 2016
Workers and young people denounced the billions being squandered on the military and the bipartisan assault on education, healthcare and jobs.
Australia’s wealthy soar while millions face destitution
Erin Cooke—SEP candidate for the Senate in Queensland, 31 May 2016
Such levels of inequality are a direct product of the irrationality of the entire capitalist system.
Banality and lies mark Australian election “debate”
James Cogan—SEP candidate for the Senate in NSW, 30 May 2016
The leaders of the major capitalist parties were not asked to state their position on the rising tensions between the United States and China.
Terrorist arrests injected into Australian election
By Mike Head, 28 May 2016
Many questions are raised about the timing of each arrest, suggesting definite political calculations.
Australian dairy farmers protest over milk price cuts
By Margaret Rees, 28 May 2016
Socialist Equality Party Senate candidate for Victoria Chris Sinnema attended the protest, discussing the party’s socialist program with farmers and their families.
Australian media vendetta against worker who questioned tax breaks for wealthy
By Patrick Kelly, 28 May 2016
The savage media treatment of Duncan Storrar is a reflection of the ruling elite’s determination to prevent any challenge to the status quo.
Why is there “no money” for basic social needs?
Mike Head—SEP candidate for the Senate in Queensland, 27 May 2016
All around the world, governments are seeking to dismantle welfare entitlements, minimum wages, retirement pensions, and access to education and healthcare.
Public meetings on the Australian election
Support the SEP in 2016! No to war and budget cuts! For socialism and internationalism!
26 May 2016
The candidates will explain the socialist and internationalist program for which the SEP is fighting in opposition to Labor, the Liberals, the Greens and every other capitalist party.
Australian election: Military spending is war preparation, not “industry policy”
James Cogan—SEP candidate for the Senate in NSW, 26 May 2016
The greatest expenditure on hardware for the Australian military since World War II is being cynically portrayed as a public works program.
Australian Treasury issues a blunt demand for austerity offensive
By Mike Head, 25 May 2016
The warning points to the reality of economic slump that all the parties of the political establishment are trying to keep hidden from public view until after the election.
Australian government’s “internship” program: An attack on young people
Oscar Grenfell—SEP candidate for Grayndler, 24 May 2016
Young people are a central target of the austerity agenda that will be deepened by whichever party forms government after the July 2 elections.
Support the Socialist Equality Party 2016 election campaign!
Vote against war and budget cuts! For internationalism and socialism!
the Socialist Equality Party (Australia), 23 May 2016
The SEP’s campaign is directed to the ever growing number of workers and young people who want a genuine alternative.
The SEP candidates in the 2016 Australian election
the Socialist Equality Party (Australia), 23 May 2016
The Socialist Equality Party is standing a Senate group in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland, and candidates in the electorates of Grayndler and Blaxland in Sydney and Wills in Melbourne.
Australian Federal Police raid Labor Party frontbencher
By Nick Beams, 20 May 2016
Raids conducted by the police have been denounced as “extraordinary and unprecedented” in an election campaign.
Why the South China Sea tensions were removed from Australian Greens’ speech
By Oscar Grenfell, 20 May 2016
Richard Di Natale’s foreign policy speech was edited to remove anything that could have been interpreted as a challenge to the Australian ruling elite’s preparations for war against China.
Australian Greens leader criticises the US alliance—without mentioning China
By Oscar Grenfell, 18 May 2016
While denouncing aspects of the US-Australia alliance, Di Natale stopped short of raising the preparations for war against China or the crisis in the South China Sea.
Australian Greens offer to enter future coalition with Labor
By Oscar Grenfell, 12 May 2016
The Greens are presenting themselves to the corporate elite as a party of “parliamentary stability.”
Australian Labor shadow treasurer foreshadows post-election spending cuts
By Nick Beams, 11 May 2016
Labor shadow treasurer Chris Bowen used his National Press Club address to attack the Turnbull government for having no plan to reduce the budget deficit.
Murdoch tabloid appeals to voters to “save” Labor candidate in Australian elections
By Oscar Grenfell, 11 May 2016
The Daily Telegraph’s editorial expressed concerns within ruling circles that the elections are deepening the crisis of the two-party parliamentary set-up.
Australian PM announces “double-dissolution” election for July 2
By James Cogan, 9 May 2016
Announcing the election, Prime Minister Turnbull spelled out his militarist, corporatist and anti-democratic agenda.
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