The Workers’ Weekly #1950 22nd February, 2021

$ 3 COMMUNISTGuardian PARTY OF AUSTRALIA We acknowledge the Sovereignty of the First Nations’ Peoples. www.cpa.org.au ISSN 1325-295X

4 5 8 10 The global class struggle The rot at the heart of Social imperialism: On the rise of fascism post-pandemic our fruit-picking industry its history and effects 2 22nd February, 2021 Guardian JOINT STATEMENT: Guardian Issue 1950 22nd February, 2021 SLANDER AND THREATS DUTTON FUNDS FAVOURED, LESS MERITORIOUS AGAINST THE COMMUNIST PROJECTS

One would think that given how big the Morrison PARTY OF VENEZUELA government is on ensuring a “fair go for those who have a go” that merit-based programs would be the shining example of this motto in practice. However, yet again, it ARE UNACCEPTABLE has been revealed that the Coalition will play favourites with those who can help it maintain power. It seems that last year’s “sports rort aff air,” wasn’t the time when funds were politicised. It has now been revealed Solidarity with the people, the workers’-people’s support for the fair struggle of the Communist Party that last year Home Aff airs Minister Peter Dutton has movement and the CP of Venezuela. and the Communist Youth of Venezuela, which defend seemingly been providing funds to communities for the interests of the working class and the people under political reasons instead of meritorious ones. The parties signing this Joint Statement have all circumstances. been fi rmly standing at the side of the people The Department of Home Aff airs provides grants Solidarity with the Communist Party of Venezuela! to organisations and communities to improve safety of Venezuela and have repeatedly denounced and condemned the imperialist aggression of via the Safer Communities Program. The department the United States, the European Union, and Proletarians of all countries unite! has guidelines for the program, which it uses to assess their allies in Latin America against Venezuela SolidNet Parties and rank each project; however, ultimately, the Home and the coup attempt to overthrow the elected Communist Party of Albania Aff airs Minister can overrule his department’s assess- President Nicolás Maduro. For us, denouncing Communist Party of Armenia ments – which is what Dutton did. And while Dutton’s and opposing the imperialist attacks against Communist Party of Australia actions fall within the grant’s rules, they raise a lot of the people of Venezuela and the peoples of the Party of Labour of Austria questions about Dutton’s discretion. world are non-negotiable. Progressive Tribune-Bahrain Ministerial submissions given to Dutton by his de- Based on the principles of Proletarian Internation- Communist Party of Bangladesh partment for round three of the Safer Communities alism, we maintain warm comradely relations with the Communist Party of Belgium Program, show that it recommended funding the seventy Communist Party of Venezuela (PCV), which defends Brazilian Communist Party highest-ranking projects totalling over $17 million. “The the interests of the working class and the working Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia projects included CCTV upgrades, better lighting, and people of Venezuela both against the imperialists as Communist Party of Bulgaria improved building security in non-government organi- well as the local capitalists that exploit the people and Party of the Bulgarian Communists sations and local councils” (ABC). trample on their rights and thus it demands a revolu- Communist Party in Denmark tionary way out of the capitalist crisis in its country. Communist Party of El Salvador The department warned Dutton that deviating from We defend the right of the Communist Party of German Communist Party the merit system for the grants could draw scrutiny Venezuela, based on its ideological, political and Communist Party of Greece from the Australian National Audit Office or news organisational independence, to distance itself from Hungarian Workers’ Party organisations. the ruling PSUV [United Socialist Party of Venezuela] Communist Party of Kurdistan-Iraq However, in a handwritten note, Dutton reduced party, to stand for election on its own ballot, to criticise Tudeh Party of Iran funding for nineteen of the highest-scoring grant ap- the government, and to oppose its policies, since the Socialist Movement of Kazakhstan plications, which totalled over $5 million. For instance, government imposes measures that aff ect the rights Socialist Party of Latvia Armidale Regional Council sought $945,687 for its and achievements of the people. Communist Party of Luxembourg Safety and Security Project but received under half of Before the December 2020 elections, the PSUV Communist Party of Malta that ($450,000). The City of Karratha sought $741,730 for launched an attempt to slander and exclude the PCV. Communist Party of Mexico its “Light the Way – Creating Safe Karratha Walkways” Initially, an attempt was made to silence and conceal New Communist Party of the Netherlands Project but only received $400,000. the candidacy of the PCV by excluding its voice from Communist Party of Norway One might be inclined to think that the Coalition is the public and private media. Attempts are now being Communist Party of Pakistan made to blackmail the PCV into joining one of the two Palestinian Communist Party merely attempting to save taxpayer’s money, but there’s majority parliamentary groups (of the government Palestinian Peoples Party a problem with that theory – this isn’t taxpayer money. or of the right-wing opposition) as a precondition Paraguayan Communist Party The multimillion dollar program is funded by seized to have the right to speak in the National Assembly. Philippine Communist Party [PKP 1930] proceeds of criminal enterprises. This program is at- Recently, the attack on the PCV escalated when Presi- Romanian Socialist Party tempting to use ill-gotten funds to improve communities. dent Maduro repeatedly implied that the PCV was Russian Communist Workers Party Dutton told The 7.30 Report in a statement: “The part of “the long arm of US imperialism.” Based on Union of Communist Parties-CPSU suggestion that the government has done anything other this slander, threats of anti-communist persecution, New Communist Party of Yugoslavia than support projects worthy of support is nonsense.” criminalisation, and repression of workers’-people’s Party Communists of Serbia Yet Dutton’s actions betray his words. struggles and organisations are being launched. Communist Party of the Workers of Spain For instance, the department also provided Dutton This accusation is unacceptable and slanderous, Communist Party of the Peoples of Spain with a “reserve list” of 211 other projects it considered as evidenced by the long course and the heroic strug- Sudanese Communist Party were suitable for funding but received lesser scores. gles of the PCV against imperialism, for the rights of Syrian Communist Party the Venezuelan people. We denounce any thought of Communist Party of Swaziland Like the fi rst list, it too was ranked highest to lowest. persecution against the PCV and other organisations Communist Party of Sweden “The department asked Dutton to rank these projects ‘to of the people’s revolutionary movement in Venezuela. Communist Party of Turkey ensure all available funds are used,’ ” (ABC) – he only We reject any attempt to undermine the politi- Communist Party of Ukraine ranked fi fty-three. The projects included on Dutton’s cal rights of the PCV and the working class. In this Union of Communists of Ukraine list were a church within his electorate, called the sense, we demand that the government of President Communist Party of Venezuela Vineyard Christian Fellowship and the St Vincent de Nicolás Maduro stops the attacks and slander aimed Other Parties Paul Society Queensland. Projects that were assessed to at criminalising the fair struggle of the PVC and the Union of Communists in Bulgaria have a much lower priority than others his department workers of Venezuela. Communist Worker’s Party – For Peace and recommended. Our parties express once again their solidarity Socialism (Finland) As if this behaviour was not suspicious enough, with the people of Venezuela, who are the victims of Communist Revolutionary Party of France Dutton announced community safety grants for two imperialist attacks and the anti-popular management Fronte Comunista (Italy) local councils before they had even been assessed! As of the capitalist crisis. We particularly express our part of a joint press conference with Liberal candidate for Braddon Brett Whiteley, Dutton announced that Waratah-Wynyard Council and Burnie City Council would receive security camera funding. Afterwards, his own department recommended not to fund these Find out more about the projects because they did not represent value for money. However, Dutton’s announcement was an attempt to win a highly marginal seat that the ALP ultimately gained Communist Party of Australia in 2018 against Whiteley but lost in the 2019 election. The right wing often accuses the left of “politicising” issues, as a way to trivialise concerns and to brush them web www.cpa.org.au aside. However, it is clear from the last two years that the Coalition will politicise funding to win favour with electorates and maintain power. The CPA believes that funding should go where it belongs. It has formed The Communists, our party to TThehe GGuardianuardian fi ght in elections. If you want to see everyday Australians SSupportupport taken care of go to the link below and register today! communists.org.au/registration bbyy ddonatingonating ttoo PPressress FFundund Guardian Australia 22nd February, 2021 3 WHAT WILL LABOR’S JOB PLAN DELIVER?

Anna Pha several jobs, one of which was in the aged care sector, spread the coronavirus between Labor Opposition Leader Anthony Alba- centres as they went from job to job. These nese raised the expectations of many workers not only need basic entitlements in the trade union movement with such as paid sick and annual leave, but also his announcement of Labor’s Secure secure work and a wage commensurate with Australian Jobs Plan on 10th Febru- their skills and responsibilities. If this was the ary of Labor’s industrial relations (IR) case, they would not need more than one job. reforms. He talked about the fi rst eight Albanese promised to take a national elements of Labor’s Plan, suggesting approach, to develop, “where it is practical,” there are more to come: portable entitlements for annual leave, sick • “Job security” explicitly inserted into leave, and long service leave for Australians the Fair Work Act (FWA) in insecure work. Which insecure forms of • Rights for gig economy workers through work does Labor intend to cover with such the Fair Work Commission (FWC) measures? What about superannuation and • Portable entitlements for workers in workers’ compensation contributions? These insecure industries questions were not answered in his speech. • Casual work properly defi ned in law There is already a model for portable long • A crackdown on cowboy labour-hire service leave in the building and construc- fi rms to guarantee same job, same pay tion industry. What is not clear here is what • A cap on back-to-back short-term is meant by “where it is practical.” contracts The CPA calls for ALL workers to be • More secure public sector jobs by entitled to all forms of leave, the compulsory ending inappropriate temporary superannuation guarantee, and workers’ contracts compensation cover, whether in secure or • Government contracts to companies and non-secure employment. Secure, ongoing organisations that off er secure work for employment should be the norm except their employees. where good reasons exist for a contract, such Public Service and, as a model employer, through labour hire companies would He also promised the abolition of the as fi lling in for a worker on parental leave take steps to create more secure employ- receive at least the same pay as workers Australian Building and Construction or seasonal work. ment where temporary forms of work are employed directly. This is a very important Commission (ABCC) and the Registered being used inappropriately.” commitment, one that would be of great Organisations Commission (ROC), and to “ABOLITION” OF What about the average staffi ng level benefi t to workers in mining, construction safeguard the legislated incremental increases ABCC AND ROC (ASL) cap that has been imposed on public and a number of other industries. Are other in employer superannuation contributions agencies? The ASL counts full and part-time workers in other forms of employment being to twelve per cent. The original ABCC was the brainchild of employees, as well as casuals in the cap but off ered the same protection? Does it extend The defeat of the Coalition at the next the Howard government with Tony Abbott, not labour hire, incentivising public agencies beyond wages to other entitlements? These elections would provide an opportunity to as Workplace Relations Minister, established to use labour hire more often. Community questions remain unanswered. replace the Coalition’s anti-worker, anti-union it in 2005. and Public Sector Union (CPSU) National WHAT NEXT? legislation with laws that protect workers’ In 2012, the Gillard Labor government Secretary Melissa Donnelly noted recently and trade union rights. rebranded it as the Fair Work Building and that since 2013, more than 12,000 jobs have Albanese has signalled that more provi- JOB SECURITY Construction (FWBC) or more formally the been cut from the APS as a result of the cap. sions of Labor’s Plan are still to be released. Offi ce of the Fair Work Building Industry “We know that because of this staffi ng cap The Communist Party of Australia calls Albanese pointed to the growth in num- Inspectorate. At the same time, Labor made there are around 20,000 workers on labour on Labor, as a minimum, to include the fol- bers and diff erent forms of insecure employ- a few changes to the ABCC, such as to the hire in the APS. In fact, in some agencies lowing IR reforms in its plan which are in ment and promised to legislate to make “job process of issuing summonses and reducing over forty per cent of their workforce are the interests of workers: security” a key objective of the FWA. The penalties by a substantial amount. In essence, staff ed with workers who are not directly • Legislate for trade unions to take FWC would be required “to bring a sharp the “former” ABCC remained largely in place. employed but are contracted through labour industrial reaction when and how they focus to job security when making deci- Trade unions and workers in the industry hire companies,” she said. determine through their democratic sions about your rights at work.” He made continued to be hounded, brought before Creating secure and permanent jobs is structures. Without this right, workers particular reference to the “on demand,” gig the courts, and fi ned as before. important, but will Labor also increase the cannot fi ght to defend and improve economy workers, whose wages and working On becoming Prime Minister in 2013, number of jobs in the public service and wages and conditions or enforce safety conditions were well below those of other Tony Abbott wasted no time taking to par- government agencies, a pre-condition to measures. workers covered by the formal industrial liament legislation to restore and enhance restoring services to their previous levels? • Outlaw employer lockouts as they swing relations structures. the former ABCC. The bill, amongst other And will they do something about the cap? the balance of power to the employers Importantly, he said Labor would do things, increased penalties ten-fold. It even- Is a time-consuming and costly audit and deny workers their right to this by extending the powers of the FWC tually passed in December 2016, under the really necessary? The public sector unions collectively bargain and take industrial to include “employee-like forms of work,” leadership of Malcolm Turnbull following a are in a position to tell Labor now what is action. This is a powerful weapon being allowing the Commission to make orders for double dissolution. required, so that the additional necessary used more often than ever. Australian minimum standards in new forms of work. In reality, the ABCC was NOT abolished jobs and reforms could be created quickly employers have powers to impose There is no indication as to what the nature as promised but amended, although Labor’s following the election. lockouts not found in any other OECD of these standards would be or suggestion changes are often referred to as if it were Labor, Albanese says, will also ensure country. that they would extend to trade union rights. abolished. Evidence of this can be found that government purchases of goods and • Trade union offi cials should have It is not clear whether other forms such on the ABCC’s website makes this clear. services are from companies and organisa- unfettered right of entry to workplaces as labour hire would be covered. (abcc.gov.au, “History of the agency”) tions “that are themselves providers of good, without having to jump through hoops The Communist Party of Australia (CPA) This raises the question: What does Alba- secure jobs.” or risk losing their permit, as well as the calls for “on demand” forms of work to be nese mean when he says “abolish?” Likewise, Albanese is silent on the Coalition gov- right to organise. replaced with secure, permanent work which for the union-hounding ROC, another piece ernment’s decision to cap wage rises to the • Secondary boycotts and trade union and carries with it the statutory wages and work- of Abbott legislation. Will it be torn up or average in the private sector. Public sector community pickets be made legal ing conditions that apply to other workers. rebranded with a few amendments? employees need a real wage rise to make up • Flexibility clauses should not be allowed It is in the interests of all workers and for years of cuts. in enterprise agreements, awards or any ACCESS TO BASIC trade unions that the legislation creating the CASUAL DEFINITION other employment instrument. ENTITLEMENTS ABCC and the ROC is repealed, not amended. • Modern awards must be updated in line PUBLIC SERVICE Today one in four workers in Australia with increases in wages and conditions Albanese correctly points to the “con- are employed as casuals, even though they found in awards, with the minimum fronting revelations” that emerged during As far as it goes, Albanese’s commitment may be carrying out ongoing work. Casual wage increased to become a living wage the pandemic of how many workers were to public servants is good: “We will call time employment is abused by employers who with regular adjustments. casuals, contractors or gig workers, with no on the relentless outsourcing, off -shoring are not required to meet all of the entitle- • The focus should be on union- right to paid sick leave. “Far too many Aus- and short-term contracting that has under- ments that other workers receive – paid negotiated agreements that are industry tralians had to choose between supporting cut the capacity of departments to do their leave provisions, workers’ compensation based. their own family or playing it safe for the jobs and undermined the frontline services coverage, superannuation payments, etc. The The plan so far is a step in the right direc- country,” he said. Australians rely on. […] We will conduct an Australian Bureau of Statistics estimates that tion but lacks detail, and there are glaring As a result, low-waged casuals working audit of employment within the Australian thirty-four per cent of employers do not meet omissions such as those as indicated above. their obligation to pay the twenty-fi ve per It is important that these are brought to the cent casual loading to compensate for this. attention of Labor MPs and a campaign Labor is promising a test to determine waged for such basic rights as the right to take when a worker can be classifi ed as casual. industrial action, industry-wide bargaining, Secure, ongoing employment Albanese does not provide any details of what the outlawing of employer lockouts, the ongo- this might entail. He says, “[...] Labor’s plan ing updating of awards, and comprehensive can be summarised in one simple phrase: entitlements for ALL workers regardless of should be the norm ... same job, same pay.” This could be made employment form. stronger by adding, “same entitlements, The CPA says: Same job, same pay, same rights.” same entitlements, same rights!  Albanese says that workers employed 4 22nd February, 2021 Australia Guardian OP-ED: THE GLOBAL CLASS STRUGGLE POST-PANDEMIC

Eileen Whitehead

Over one year ago (30/1/2020), the World Health Organisation (WHO), declared that the outbreak of COVID-19 constituted a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. Ninety-eight cases were seen in eighteen countries outside of China. It was stressed that although these numbers were rela- tively small compared to the number of cases in China (how things have changed!), everyone must act to limit further spread. One year later, the total number of cases has passed 110 mil- lion. Deaths have reached 2,225,000 at the latest count, and the daily death toll is the highest it has ever been, with more than 14,000 people succumbing to the virus every day. It is recognised that the pandemic has been a “trigger event,” comparable to World War I, which has accelerated the deep contra- dictions within the global capitalist system, and indeed it has evolved into a global social and political crisis. Over a year into the crisis, the pandemic has starkly revealed the class divide separating the capitalist and socialist programmes. The countries showing respon- sible, overall care for their people are led by socialist governments. In the United States, 26,107,110 cases with a death toll of 440,000 have been recorded. In India, more than 10 million cases with 154,000 deaths; Brazil has more than 9 million cases and 223,000 deaths; the UK, nearly 4 million cases and 106,000 deaths; and Italy, 2.5 million cases and more than 88,000 deaths. The struggle to contain this pandemic has developed into a class struggle, as it became increasingly clear that the major classes in society – the capitalist class and the working class – have irreconcilably opposed The capitalists were of one mind in their at impeding the virus transmission were On the question of vaccination, capitalist interests. The essential services needed to response to the pandemic. Financial mar- followed to stop community spread. The and socialist thinking also diff er widely: capi- keep societies ticking over were those done kets were given priority over saving lives. capitalist ethos was to keep factories and talists preferencing wealthy countries with by the working class’s lower echelons – the In socialism, the opposite approach is taken other workplaces open for business in order more ability to pay, while socialists demand cleaners, rubbish collectors, nurses, shop without hesitation. The capitalists wanted the to stabilise profi ts, while the socialists kept a scientifi cally directed international strategy and transport workers, etc. pandemic policy driven by profi t interests, all non-essential workplaces closed. In the and globally coordinated inoculation. The pandemic is a striking illustration of whereas socialist governments have followed case of schools, the capitalists kept claiming The working class response to the pan- the contrast between capitalism and social- a medical policy guided by science. there was little risk to students and teachers demic must be to recognise the need for class ism. Working class interests point objectively In America, the capitalist programme and demanded schools remained open. In unity, militant class action, and an interna- toward socialism, whereas the ruling class’ advocated the idea of “herd” immunity, thus contrast, socialists, adhering to scientifi c tional socialist and revolutionary political main objective is the maintenance of the pri- allowing the virus to rapidly spread before evidence that schools were a major source strategy. This attitude needs to continue long vate ownership of the means of production vaccinations were produced, whereas in of virus transmission, kept them closed until after the virus is defeated. Capitalism is the and the geostrategic interests of imperialism. the socialist countries all measures aimed the pandemic was brought under control. next virus that needs to be eradicated! TRUCKIES PUSHED TO THE CURB: NO RESPECT FOR OUR ESSENTIAL WORKERS

B A Ford away from the border. Both cars according to National Transport trauma and death, the current truth that better working conditions and trucks were backed up without Insurance. education and training for road are needed to save lives of workers At 2 am on Thursday the 11th trucks prioritised, and a driver, The Road Safety Remunera- transport, the current regulations and the community. They are aware of February there was a crash unaware of the changed road con- tion Tribunal was established in of the road transport industry, and that bosses can pressure drivers between three trucks at the SA- ditions, crashed. 2012 under the Labor government so on. In their article “Truckies to to forge their work diaries, driv- Victorian border two hours In their statement on the death, to address the conditions of the Tell Senate Inquiry of Horror Crash ers can skip maintenance checks after the SA government shut the TWU called for a “national plan road transport industry. A review Deaths and Armed Hold Ups” pub- before driving to save time, and will its border to Victoria. One of on border closures” to avoid confu- of the tribunal in 2016 showed lished in early February, the TWU ignore their fatigue or other health the trucks was carrying chem- sion between states, and a plan to that the then current Road Safety stated that since the tribunal “841 issues that may impede their driving icals that caused the crash to prioritised truck drivers with truck Remuneration Order 2014 would people have died in truck crashes just to make sure they retain their be fi ery. lanes set up before border closure see a twenty-eight per cent reduc- including 182 truck drivers.” work and fi nancial security. It is The crash caused one death, to allow their safe passage while tion of truck crashes. However, This year, Monash University important to understand that this while two other drivers were taken carrying out essential work. this tribunal was repealed in April released a study involving 1400 is not individual drivers’ fault, but to hospital. This casualty marked TWU Vic/Tas Secretary John 2016, despite there being twenty- truck drivers that examined the the fault of the system that puts the Victoria’s second workplace death Berger said that “Fatigue is a fi ve truck related deaths in March conditions for drivers and how it extraction of profi t over the safety and came four days after the major killer in our industry and it 2016, according to TWU. relates to their health. The study of all of us. Transport Workers Union (TWU) is abhorrent that drivers are being Currently, we wait for the report found that 50 per cent of those sur- The Communist Party expresses announced that there had already forced to work fatigued all because from the senate inquiry into the veyed worked 41-60 hours per week, our condolences to the friends and been four truck driver deaths across the federal government won’t put “importance of a viable, safe, sus- 37.5 per cent worked over 60 hours family of the drivers involved in this the country so far in 2021. in place clear guidelines on border tainable and effi cient road transport per week, 13 per cent had a crash in crash. We also express our solidar- The SA-Victorian border was closures.” industry.” This report, which was the past year, and over 70 per cent ity with all road transport drivers understaff ed and under prepared In 2019, a total of fi fty-three once due for April 2020, has been have a near miss once a week. Over fighting for improved working with only four offi cials advising truck drivers died making it the pushed back again until the 23rd 70 per cent of these drivers also conditions, and the right to come traffi c and supervising the border. deadliest industry in Australia, an of June 2021. The inquiry investi- experience chronic health issues home at the end of their shift.  This meant the traffi c backed up increase of sixty-seven per cent gates minimum working standards and almost a third have multiple for kilometres to the closest town when compared to 2018 with many for road transport, the social and chronic health conditions. Kaniva, twenty-five kilometres of these deaths linked to fatigue, economic impacts of road injuries, The ruling class won’t admit the Guardian Australia 22nd February, 2021 5 THE ROT AT THE HEART OF OUR FRUIT-PICKING INDUSTRY

Bree Booth The majority of farmworkers – up to sixty per cent on some farms Sunraysia, in Victoria’s north – are migrants or working holiday known for its table grapes, makers, but the conditions are no vineyards, citrus fruit, and better for domestic workers. Farm olives. It is a popular work- work is unstable, the pay is low, ing holiday destination, with and the hours are long. Some fruit plenty of work on the fruit pickers work up to twelve hours a blocks for migrant labour- day for piece rates (a pay rate for ers. But this year, despite ris- the amount picked, packed, pruned ing unemployment and food or made). One piece-rate worker insecurity among Australian reported an income of just $550 workers, the fruit blocks are for sixty hours or work. That’s empty, and thousands of kil- less money than the full rate of ograms of fruit are being left Newstart, for more hours work to rot on the trees. There is a than the average offi ce worker in shortage of migrant workers the major cities. Hourly rates can due to the pandemic, but the be as low as $9. problem runs deeper than that. Therefore, it is not surprising The current situation on Aus- that for many farm workers, the tralia’s produce farms exposes cost of their accommodation is an industry where exploitative more than they make in a week. conditions are driven by the Workers are often forced to live capitalist profi t motive. in local hostel-type accommoda- In mid-2020 the Australian gov- tion at up to $250 per week for ernment lobbied young Australians a bed in a shared room. In some to take up work in the agricultural situations, this accommodation sector, following a sharp decrease is owned or run by the employers in the number of migrant workers themselves and is often cramped, during the pandemic. It was billed un-airconditioned and in poor soared. For migrant workers the speaking up and exercising their is leaving good food to rot on the as a fun, easy way to make some condition. stakes were life or death – at no rights as workers. tree while Australian workers in money and meet new people, while Conditions on the fruit blocks point was Jobkeeper extended to For this reason, small growers the cities starve. seeing some of the countryside. are not better. Fruit pickers work them even though many became on orange blocks in Sunraysia have So what is the immediate solu- This may have seemed an attractive up to twelve hours a day in the trapped here due to international begun to turn away all domestic tion for a crisis this complex? To off er to many of Australia’s young heat and the cold, with workers travel restrictions. workers rather than run a loss begin with, the fruit picking indus- people – one in three young Aus- reporting being fi red on the spot Marx observed that “[it] is in for this years’ harvest. Along the try is badly in need of regulation, tralians are currently unemployed for infractions as minor as having the very nature of the capitalistic highways in the Victoria’s north, especially concerning the pay and or underemployed – but the real- their phone out during the day. mode of production to overwork hand-painted signs proclaiming “No conditions of migrant workers. ity is far from glamorous. Migrant This insecurity is compounded by some workers while keeping the rest workers needed!” are a common The AWU calls for fair piece rates workers and backpackers in the the geographical isolation of many as a reserve army of unemployed sight. With the added pressure for farm workers. But fair wages fruit picking industry are among agricultural regions. Major fruit paupers.” In ordinary times, cheap of bushfi re damage and climate are expensive for small growers the most exploited employees in picking districts like Sunraysia migrant labour acts as this reserve change many employers simply struggling as it is to get by. Small the country. in the north of Victoria are often army on the fruit blocks, keep- cannot aff ord to pay award wages. farms ought to be subsidised by Without the status of per- many hours’ drive from the nearest ing the demand for jobs high and Of course, the obverse of this is that the government to make higher manent residency or citizenship, capital city. Public transport infra- wages low. High demand and hard domestic workers are also less will- wages feasible and to ensure that migrant workers are unable to structure is also severely lacking in work makes for very unstable jobs. ing to do gruelling farm work for food isn’t left to rot when millions receive social security benefi ts. They these regions. But the pandemic is not ordinary extremely low rates of pay. of Australians need it. are therefore often very dependent The border closures and restric- times. The COVID-19 crisis has As the major supermarkets Better transport networks are on their jobs to get by, especially tions on travel distances have fur- revealed the extent to which the compete to keep the price of basic needed to allow pickers to travel given that working visas have very ther impeded the mobility required profi t motive drives the conditions foodstuff s low, farmers feel the easily to and stay in the fruit-picking strict conditions on the amount for migrant workers to fulfi l their of farm workers. pressure to cut costs. Outsourc- regions, and visa conditions must and type of work which migrants visa obligations. When Melbourne This is a system that was bound ing farm work to migrant workers be loosened. Jobkeeper ought to can do in Australia. This, combined and then regional Victoria got shut to fail the moment access to cheap protects the bottom line. The less be extended to all unemployed with the isolation, insecurity and down, many migrant workers got labour could no longer be sourced. they have to pay their pickers, the workers unable to leave the coun- low pay of farm work, as well as a trapped in the city unable to look Low food prices make mean razor higher the profi t they can fetch for try. Most fundamentally, migrant general sense of unfamiliarity with for rural work. Those whose visas thin profi t margins for fruit grow- their produce. There is no reason workers ought to be educated on their rights as workers in Australia, allowed them to seek work in the ers. Domestic workers are more why this fruit cannot be sold, other their rights at work and their class make it diffi cult for migrant workers city were forced to compete in a expensive than migrant workers, than that farmers can’t pay their position, to help them organise and to speak out about their treatment highly competitive domestic labour not only because they’re paid more workers, and distributors won’t buy demand a return to work under fair at work. market in the city as unemployment but because they’re more prone to for a higher cost. Capitalist greed conditions.  Perth Politics in the Pub Fighting for the Future Class and Climate Thursday 25th February, 6-8 pm 43 Below Bar and Restaurant 43 Barrack St Cnr Hay St Mall Perth CBD Join a selected group of speakers to discuss STOP THESE PROPOSED ANTI-WORKER LAWS the climate emergency and our future The Morrison Government’s proposed Omnibus Bill will leave Australian workers worse off at a time when they can least afford it. It tips the balance of our industrial relations system in the favour of employers – and will lead to less Speakers: Anthony Collins of 350.Boorloo.org workplace rights as well as cuts to our pay and conditions. Help us stop the Bus. Paddy Cullen of WA Forrest Alliance These Senators can stop the anti-worker Omnibus Bill: John Fegebank, student activist Jacqui Lambie, Malcolm Roberts, Pauline Hanson, Stirling Griff & Rex Patrick Chaired by Elizabeth Hulm of CPA Tell them to vote No in the Senate Free entry – Food and drink available from the counter Info 0419 812 872 or [email protected] go to: www.stopthebus.com.au FB: fb.me/e/3hqrExTWn 6 22nd February, 2021 Magazine Guardian Guardian Magazine 22nd February, 2021 7 “CULTURE OF SOLIDARITY NEEDS TO BE REBUILT” Demonstrators protest ongoing lockout of Coles workers

E. Lennon

Three-hundred and fi fty workers at the Smeaton Grange Coles warehouse have been indefi nitely locked out of their workplace. The lockout comes after the company announced plans to shut the facility, which is its largest distribution centre in NSW. The warehouse would be replaced by an automated one in 2023. May 1 Movement organiser Robert Car, who coordinated the day of action, has encouraged people to build solidarity through engaging with the aff ected workers. “It’s all about talking to the Smeaton Grange workers,” said Car. “It’s great that leftist organisations will come out to these actions, but without actually going out to the Smeaton Grange picket line and actually sup- porting them and talking with them, having that strong sense of community, we’re in a bit of an echo chamber. “Workers are very intelligent and adap- tive. We often don’t give them credit for how intelligent and adaptive they are. If you speak to one of the lead delegates for Smeaton Grange, even if they’re the delegates against “The lockout shows that industrial law in automation can occur. As a RAFFWU [Retail bargaining has destroyed the culture of soli- further actions, they fully understand and Australia is massively in favour of employers,” and Fast Food Workers’ Union] member, it darity and allows big employers to get away fully advocate that we should have an onsite they said. “The fact that it’s even allowed to would be good to see other workers engage with what they want in workplaces. Workers committee from the start and that we should be done. The culture of solidarity needs to with comrades’ struggles. We’re employed in the same jobs, but diff erent workplaces, have had a strike fund. be rebuilt to combat this. by Coles and similar employers on the shop won’t come out in support. Even though “That would have taken the class struggle “I’m here as a Coles supermarket worker fl oor, but we should come together to sup- Coles will try and do the same thing to them further. It’s a bit of a no-brainer. Building because I believe that when there’s confl ict port distribution centres. in the future. It’s the job of unions to support unity in that respect is actually quite easy. in the Coles supply chain, it’s my struggle as “Similarly, with other UWU [United their members, and a big part of that is get- It’s all about having an ideological mindset.” well. I believe that other people from Coles Workers’ Union] members, they should ting other workers to support them in their One Coles worker who came out to show should also get involved in the lockout dem- be directly tied to their other comrades campaigns. Things like the May 1 Movement their support at the action condemned the onstrations. What happens in one warehouse in Smeaton Grange and fi ghting for their are great ways to get the community involved laws. will happen in other warehouses, where rights. Switching from industry to enterprise in the struggle for workers.”  YEMEN'S VICTORY AGAINST WAR

Casey Davidson of defending its country from imperialism, with South Yemen The new Biden administration also being a Marxist-Leninist announced it will end US sup- state before the fall of the Soviet port for off ensive operations Union. Although Yemen has suf- in Yemen, following a six-year fered terribly in the recent war, war which has claimed the lives the Ansarullah are winning, and of over 200,000 innocent Yem- are so popular, that the Yemeni enis and led to the starvation state and army shifted to the side of over ten million more. In of the revolution. arguably the worst humanitar- Despite this, Australia is ian crisis today, the US, and its complicit in its support for the Anglo-American allies, includ- Saudis and Emirates imperialist ing Australia, have backed war of aggression, supporting the Saudi Arabia to gain strategic mass starvation of a population control over the region, against due to crippling and unconscion- the wishes of the majority of able sanctions. In 2017, it was Yemeni people. As Australia reported that the Royal Austral- continues to march lockstep ian Navy trained Saudi soldiers with US interests, it is provid- not far from a location enforcing ed with an opportunity to also a naval blockade of Yemen. In remove troops from the Mid- 2018, it was discovered that Aus- dle East and stop supporting tralian military contractors were this genocide. training National Security Forces In 2014, the US framed the in the UAE. invasion of Yemen to be for the Spokesperson for the Yemen as “perhaps the single most killing and starving the Yemeni war crimes by Australian Defence purposes of defeating Iranian- Solidarity Council, Jay Thara- evil act of his administration,” people.” Force (ADF) soldiers in Afghani- backed rebels who were fi ghting ppel, explained that the UAE Donald Trump vetoed the US Now with the inauguration of stan. Australian troops are on against the Yemeni government, “alongside Saudi Arabia, were Congress’ decision. President Joe Biden, this ruling the ground in the UAE right now, however the reality is that these attempting to partition the coun- The Biden administration, has again been overturned, with and were training their soldiers so-called “rebels” are made up try so that the north is ruled by other governments, the UN, and a commitment to end all US who were attacking Yemen. With of Yemeni soldiers, known as a pro Saudi dictator, while the aid organisations all agreed that support for the war in Yemen, the new policy in the US with Ansarullah, or the Houthis, fi ght- south becomes a protectorate of the sanctions imposed on Yemen including arms sales. “This war regards to Yemen coming into ing to protect their country’s the UAE.” would further complicate food has to end,” Biden said. place, an opportunity presents people from exploitation from Regardless of all this, deliveries amidst the famine. This brings an important itself to bring ADF soldiers home Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Ansarullah has prevailed, and In response, Ansurallah leader question to the table here in and for Australia to stop assist- Emirates (UAE) and the Global in April 2019, the US Congress Mohammed Ali al-Houthi tweet- Australia. Last year, the Brere- ing in inhumane and needless North. voted to end US support for the ed “America is the source of ter- ton report was released, which attacks on people who are fi ght- Yemen has a long history war. In what Tharappel describes rorism. It’s directly involved in included allegations of horrifi c ing for sovereignty.  8 22nd February, 2021 Guardian SOCIAL IMPERIALISM: ITS

David Matters opened new fronts against the imperialists supported their capitalist governments in to the ALP. Like Whitlam, while big social Assistant General Secretary of the CPA throughout the world and led to the inde- WW1. As these parties have evolved, they programs like Medicare were enacted and pendence of many dozens of nations around have become a mainstay of imperialism equality was championed for apartheid In some sections of the international the globe. Many countries occupied by the and are in opposition to the revolutionary South Africa, both of these are dwarfed by communist movement today, China Japanese launched wars of liberation such proletariat. This opposition is based on the the ALP’s other decisions in government. is characterised as imperialist, capi- as China, Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia, system of imperialism that has as its core With Medicare came the Prices and Incomes talist, or “social imperialist.” Despite and Myanmar. These wars of liberation and the enslavement of other nations and the Accord, which severely harmed the union being around since the turn of the last independence struggles are still an ongoing bribing of a layer of the working class. movement. And while looking like a human century, the phrase “social imperial- feature of the region. Currently, one of the In colonial settler states such as Israel, rights champion, like Whitlam was seen as ism” really took fl ight when the inter- most signifi cant is in West Papua, which is Australia, and New Zealand, this layer has with the withdrawal from the Vietnam War, national communist movement split held under Indonesian dominance as a base formed into a political party of capitalism in Hawke continued the ALP’s social imperial- in the 1960s under the weight of the for US mining interests. the form of the “labour” parties. For example, ism, particularly in its grab of East Timorese divisions between the Soviet Union Here, the non-bourgeois elements The Australian Labor Party (ALP) has sup- oil which accumulated in the Timor Gap and China. worked to put power in the exploited masses’ ported wars of imperialist aggression, includ- Treaty. Indeed Lenin’s words, “socialists in But what is social imperialism? Commu- hands and free them from imperialism’s ing the latest wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. words and imperialists in deeds,” couldn’t nists and non-communists use this phrase to yoke, reclaiming territory and resources to They support international violations of the be more accurate when describing the ALP. mean wildly diff ering things. To understand ensure their sovereignty and betterment of refugee rights through the off shore detention Thus, the ALP, like social democratic par- social imperialism, we must understand the their peoples. of migrants who arrive by sea. ties across the world, pretends to represent conditions out of which the phrase arose and Thus, in the above, social imperialism the working class, through the connections the nature of imperialism more generally. SOCIAL IMPERIALISM: refers to those parties and individuals in the shared between leadership in the ALP and World War II presents us with perhaps LENIN’S DEFINITION imperialist countries who advocate for cer- the union movement. However, its reforms the clearest manifestation of the shades of tain “social” policies which benefi t workers do not go past capitalism, and continue its imperialism. Capitalism had split its impe- In the above, we have developed an to some extent, but ultimately reject radical exploitation. When it comes to foreign policy, rial armies into three divisions: the fi rst understanding of imperialism in action. So change to the capitalist system and support the ALP is a party still dedicated to imperialist was “anti-fascist” but was still colonial and if imperialism is to be understood as the the imperialist policies of the state. actions, either directly with its relationships imperialist (UK, France, Australia, etc.); the development of capitalist forces compet- with Asia Pacifi c nations, or in collaboration second was allegedly “neutral” section took ing for resources in other regions, spurred SOCIAL IMPERIALISM with US imperialism, as noted above with care of the banking (Switzerland, Sweden, on by the emergence of the dominance of IN THE ALP the wars in the Middle East. US, etc.); the third was the unifi cation of monopolies and fi nance capital, what is the most aggressive bourgeois forces (Nazi “social imperialism?” In Imperialism, The As mentioned above, social imperial- WARPING MARXISM: Germany, Fascist Italy, Imperial Japan). Highest Stage of Capitalism, Lenin devel- ism is alive and well today, particularly in SOCIAL IMPERIALISM The initial skirmishes that took place were ops the theory of social imperialism, using the ALP. Thus, it will serve us well to have a TRANSFORMED between the fi rst and third of these wings of it to characterise the betrayals of the social deeper look at the ALP and its relationship to imperialism. The results were a redivision democratic parties of Europe. Here, Lenin Australia’s communist movement and how One of the worst setbacks of the last of the world’s resources between these two describes the situation as it existed in Europe it promotes social imperialism. period was the competition between the camps with the “democratic” imperialists in the lead-up to World War I: It is crucial to understand that the general Soviet Union and China in the international being overcome by the fascist Axis with the character of the ALP is set by the strengths communist movement, which led to diff ering creation of Vichy France and collaborationist “The enormous dimensions of fi nance and weaknesses in extra-parliamentary ideological developments and mistrust. The governments all over Europe. capital concentrated in a few hands and organisations. As a result, the ALP has Sino-Soviet split put a tremendous amount The “democratic” wing of the bourgeois creating an extraordinarily dense and adopted an aggressive and mixed attitude of pressure on the international communist imperialists added the US who left the “neu- widespread network of relationships towards communists, depending on the lat- movement, which allowed developments tral” camp as the Japanese started to domi- and connections which subordinates ter’s infl uence in trade unions. Draconian of opportunism – of both left and rightist nate Asia and the Pacifi c – a territory that not only the small and medium, but election laws and acts against the trade deviation – to appear. One of the results of the US felt complimented their holdings in also the very small capitalists and unions were instituted (and still are) in order this competition was the transformation of Latin America and the Pacifi c. US imperialism small masters, on the one hand, and to drive communists out of the unions. In what the term “social imperialism” is often worked through ostensibly independent but the increasingly intense struggle waged contradiction to this, a united front policy used to signify. comprador governments in Latin America against other national state groups of was able to be built to defeat legislation ban- In Australia, this played out with the but had consolidated holdings in the Pacifi c fi nanciers for the division of the world ning the Communist Party in 1951. transformation of the CPA after the events by assuming overt control. Australia became and domination over other countries, However, regardless of the attitude to of the Prague Spring. The deviation that a major strategic partner of the US in the on the other hand, cause the propertied the workers’ movements in Australia, the occurred was the transition from Marxism- Asia-Pacifi c during this war, as signifi cant classes to go over entirely to the side ALP has supported imperialist actions, as Leninism towards what is commonly referred US forces were concentrated in the inter- of imperialism. ‘General’ enthusiasm other social democratic parties have across to as “Eurocommunism.” The Eurocommu- imperialist confl ict in Asia and the Pacifi c. over the prospects of imperialism, the world. For example, despite the major nists disavowed the socialist revolution in Thus, in the eyes of the bourgeoisie, the furious defence of it and painting it in reforms the Whitlam government enacted, practice under the guise of “Anti-Stalinism” war taking place was not concerned with the brightest colours – such are the such as the abolition of tertiary fees, the and opposition to “authoritarianism.” In liberation but with claiming territories and signs of the times. Imperialist ideology Whitlam government continued imperialist general, the “destalinisation” of communist resources to exploit for profi ts. Imperialism also penetrates the working class. No practices. This is evident in Whitlam ignor- parties spread division and confusion, which here is evident in that rich economies were Chinese Wall separates it from the other ing Indonesia’s annexation of East Timor challenged support for the dictatorship of vying to develop monopolies in other lands. classes. The leaders of the present-day, which, according to the Lowy Institute, was the proletariat. However, a diff erent strategy was adopted so-called, ‘Social-Democratic’ Party in part because “communist rule in Dili was Other opportunist deviations have been by the Soviet Union, the Communist Inter- of Germany are justly called ‘social- as inimical to Australia’s interests as it was successfully promoted by the US imperial- national, and workers’ movements. For imperialists,’ that is, socialists in words intolerable to Jakarta.” ists, who added whole schools of “Marx- starters, the war was defensive, rather than and imperialists in deeds; but as early The ALP’s social imperialist character was ism,” such as the Frankfurt School, to their aggressive. The USSR only entered the war as 1902, Hobson noted the existence further crystallised with the election of the arsenals. The Western imperialists played after it was attacked by Axis forces. The Bob Hawke government. Hawke, a former up to each “Marxist” tendency in diff erent in Britain of ‘Fabian imperialists’ who basis of its defensive position came from ACTU president, was the perfect choice for ways and assisted in increasing the divisions. the division between the imperialist camps belonged to the opportunist Fabian a party claiming to represent workers. With In addition to denouncing “Stalinism” and where it developed a broad anti-fascist Society.” Hawke as Prime Minister, reforms that were opposing the Soviet Union’s “authoritarian- movement, assisting the exploited masses In these circumstances, the social considered too extreme from the Whitlam ism,” was the characterisation of the Soviet in their wars of liberation, which pushed out democratic parties provided support for era were rolled back, and he readmitted Union as a “social imperialist power.” And the fascist forces. This revolutionary tactic their bourgeoisies’ colonial policies and rebel unions and rightist Catholic forces it is here where the warping of the term “The leaders of the present-day, so-called, ‘Social-Democratic’ Party of Germany are justly called ‘social- imperialists,’ that is, socialists in words and imperialists in deeds.” Lenin Guardian 22nd February, 2021 9 HISTORY AND EFFECTS

Preschoolers learn about Chinese culture and festivals. The deepening of socialism requires ongoing reforms to bring forth the creative powers of the people.

“social imperialism” emerges, that Lenin’s capitalists who accuse China of new forms maintained state ownership of key sectors. has been restored, it has seen the liquidation words “socialists in words and imperialists of exploitation. These same capitalists will By these measures, China and Vietnam are of the communist parties and the abolition in deeds,” are distorted. state that the US and other imperialist forces building socialism. The other advance is of the dictatorship of the proletariat. The What made the Soviet Union a “social are only interested in bringing “democracy” the resurrection of the understanding that leading role of that class, expressed through imperialist power?” According to those who to these nations. so long as commodity production remains communist parties, has been abolished. Even categorise the Soviet Union as such, Soviet aid Neither the Soviet aid nor the Chinese BRI a necessity, capitalist restoration remains a in Yugoslavia, which had long weakened was one element of its imperialist character. induces dependency. In fact, the Communist threat. The deepening of socialism requires the proletarian dictatorship and the Party, That despite claims that it was a workers’ Party of China has studied the experiences of ongoing reforms to bring forth the creative a counter-revolution was still required to state, Soviet assistance was in fact a nefari- Soviet aid practices, and has developed the powers of the people. The development of overthrow the position of the working people. ous plot by the USSR to leverage vulnerable socialist policy of mutually benefi cial coopera- the democratic dictatorship of the proletariat This application of the theory of social countries into allowing them to exploit their tion in trade and development. The Chinese needs to keep pace with the development of imperialism is usually accompanied by ultra- resources. Thus for those who criticised the model challenges imperialist dependency the proletariat as the ruling class. left utopian concepts, with socialism being USSR, the Soviet Union only proclaimed while respecting non-interference. The negative attitude towards China defi ned in simplistic terms. “Workers still socialism but was in fact imperialist. The demise of the Soviet Union gave us outlined above only assists the imperialists work for wages, profi ts are made, capital- new experiences in colour revolutions and in their war ambitions. It is used to turn ist investments have occurred!” Thus, the SOCIAL IMPERIALISM began to force a reassessment in the interna- working people in the capitalist countries argument is advanced that socialism has APPLIED TODAY tional communist movement. It became clear not just against China but against socialism been abolished, and a new ruling class has that right up until the counter-revolution the in general. It thus provides a “left” cover for been created. These concepts advance on As a result, several communist parties Soviet Union remained a socialist country. anti-communism. Trotsky and his followers who argued that have developed a concept that China, and Some of the internal factors contributing to This “left” anti-communism becomes a a “Thermidor” had set in, that the Soviet similarly Vietnam, Laos, Cuba, and the DPRK the demise of socialism in the USSR were the feature of these “left” groups’ activity. Their Union was, at best, a deformed workers’ state. are not socialist countries. That China, in diffi culties it encountered in carrying forward opposition to the actual development of a Or worse, that a form of state capitalism – particular, is now practising some form of timely reforms to increase productivity, unifi ed communist party is justifi ed by their another term used by Lenin and misused by “social imperialism,” that its Belt and Road dealing with corruption and subversion, and idea that the communist parties are actually left anti-communists – was being created, Initiative (BRI) is a form of this imperial- over-reliance on military might to combat agents of this other kind of imperialism. as according to Zinoviev. ism. This theory is strongest amongst those imperialist imposition. CONCLUSION The modern theorists of “social imperi- who initially held to the view that the Soviet China and Vietnam paved a new road for- alism” need to be combatted. It is impera- Union was social imperialist. They have now ward and made timely reforms to remove the The adoption of social imperialism as tive that proper, scientifi c analysis be done, transferred this theory to China. It is based structural hindrances to labour productivity. a label applied to communist parties is not that the material conditions be properly on the premise that capitalist companies Work has been done in practice on Stalin’s scientifi cally accurate. The situation of the assessed. As communists, we must strive to and capitalists exist in China. theory that socialism only modifi es the law social imperialists in the capitalist countries move away from dogmatic interpretations The understanding of imperialism by of value, that the true measure of socialism is based on a layer existing in those societies of Marxism-Leninism but instead have a these observers is usually based on simplistic is the raising of the material and cultural and is at the behest of the big bourgeoisie. dialectical one. Most importantly, we must statements. That by advancing loans in the standards of the people, which is facilitated When this is applied to the socialist be willing to educate and dispel myths about form of investments in infrastructure, China by the working-class state, Communist Party nations, it is on the basis that capitalism has actually existing socialism to help further has somehow become the new slave master. leadership on the basis of Marxism-Leninism, been restored in those countries. So far in the cause of the international communist These views are conveniently repeated by the and planned development facilitated by all the counter-revolutions where capitalism movement.  As communists, we must strive to move away from dogmatic interpretations of Marxism-Leninism but instead have a dialectical one. 10 22nd February, 2021 Guardian ON THE RISE OF FASCISM

Seamus Carey fringe into mainstream, if it should suit their interests. We have seen development Although the new problems of the in this direction around the world. pandemic have distracted from it, So long as there is bourgeois democ- the dangerous worldwide upsurge racy, there are certain disagreements in fascism has continued apace. among the bourgeoisie as to how to rule The US fascists emboldened by Trump most eff ectively. The death cult of fascism have not disappeared with his exit from is the ultimate endpoint of bourgeois offi ce. The Indian fascists emboldened by ideology, although some sections of the Modi are stronger than ever. In Japan, PM bourgeoisie are capable of perceiving its Suga continues Abe’s mission of upholding self-destructive nature and holding back the legacy of the Japanese fascist regime from it, which is coincident with their false and pushing Japan towards remilitarisa- but necessary conviction that capitalism tion. Fascist movements around Europe is indefi nitely sustainable. grow, and the US-chosen opposition fi gure While fascism is chauvinistic and of Navalny in Russia and various US- nationalist, it is an extension of the inter- sponsored fi gures around Latin America national nature of imperialism. There is have open fascist connections. no contradiction between these things, A strong understanding of fascism is as it is the logical endpoint of the impe- vital to workers’ and progressive move- rialist system and ideology, where a few ments. There are many contradictions countries are the dominant powers in the between its external appearance and its world, through their fi nancial system and true nature that can confound analysis military, and all other countries are either undertaken without a solid consciousness auxiliaries, subjects, or opponents of this of its class nature. power. Fascism aspires to either continue The reasons why individuals are drawn or achieve this position for a country, in to fascism in its embryonic stage, and the the face of the ever-nearer collapse of causes of fascism as a mass movement global capitalism. It is an expression of and state system, are connected but not the violent desperation of the most single- identical. Both must be understood and minded capitalist oppressors. opposed. While we must understand that fascism Fascism as a state system is the open is a form of capitalism and non-fascist capi- dictatorship of a particular section of talism is also a form of dictatorship, this the bourgeoisie – the most reactionary, does not mean we should not care about most chauvinistic, and most imperialist which arises. As Dimitrov said in 1935: elements of fi nance capital. It is a form of capitalism, the other form being the “We are not Anarchists, and it is not disguised form of bourgeois dictatorship, at all a matter of indiff erence to us bourgeois “democracy.” Under “normal” what kind of political regime exists conditions, the bourgeois democracy, with in any given country: whether a certain rights extended to the people and bourgeois dictatorship in the form a more or less well functioning democratic of bourgeois democracy, even with system for the capitalist class and its inter- democratic rights and liberties nal contradictions, is more eff ective as a greatly curtailed, or a bourgeois form of rule by the bourgeoisie. The open dictatorship in its open, fascist form. dictatorship by a particular section of the While being upholders of Soviet bourgeoisie only becomes necessary for democracy, we shall defend every them under the conditions of the utter inch of the democratic gains which decrepitude of capitalism in its parasitic, the working class has wrested in the The US fascists emboldened imperialist stage. course of years of stubborn struggle, When fascist ideas take root in fringe and shall resolutely fi ght to extend groups, it is already creating a reserve these gains.” by Trump have not for this section of the bourgeoisie should exercising open dictatorship become more Building a united front of the people convenient for them. The bourgeoisie’s against fascism is a necessary struggle disappeared control of public discourse and opinion and component of the movement towards through media and politics means that socialism in the conditions of a minor it is no great diffi culty for them to turn imperialist power like Australia.  with his exit from office. SHIFTING THE BLAME: HOW A CONDEMNATION OF THE FAR RIGHT BECAME AN OPEN ATTACK ON THE LEFT

John Fegebank along with One Nation, the Centre if they have anything in common. in an LNP-dominated Senate. The climate change action? What they Alliance, and independents Jacqui If this is the case, where then, are original motion outright named condemn is opposition to their The Australian Labor Party Lambie and Rex Patrick, had it these “far-left” mass shootings? Liberal politicians for their actions. capitalist lobbyists and the abusive (ALP) put forward a Senate signifi cantly stripped and repur- Where are the “far-left” attacks on For the ALP to expect any other system they uphold. It is with such motion on 4th February to posed. The motion now makes no minority groups? It is easy to see result could only be sheer incom- actions that activities of activists condemn and recognise a ris- reference to the rise of the far-right, that such “centrist” positions are petence; the only alternative is that become increasingly more danger- ing far-right in Australia. The instead calling Australia “one of merely used to target communists this was the intended outcome. ous and critical at the same time. motion made specifi c refer- the most successful multicultural and not take responsibility for the Either way, this once again shows A target is being fastened to our ence to the National Socialist countries in the world” in a chau- disgusting actions they encourage. the ALP acting akin to a moderate backs, one which justifi es increas- Network, a far-right neo-Nazi vinistic attempt to hide our severe While we stand out there fi ghting wing of the LNP. ing hostilities. One which will make group, as well as calling out issues with racism. All mention of for the rights of the downtrodden This shows an Australian right it easier for those with power to Coalition members Craig Kelly Coalition members of parliament and exploited, the right commits wing becoming more and more silence those without. One which and George Christensen for was removed, and specifi c reference another heinous act and calls it an unifi ed in their attacks on the left is likely to be followed by a push promoting several conspiracy to the contents of the dangerous issue of both sides. and the working class as a whole. for full legislation against we who theories related to COVID-19, far-right conspiracy theories was During the vote for the LNP’s It is now all the more important fi ght against the capitalist system. vaccines and the US Capitol scrapped. Essentially all acknowl- changes to the motion, the ALP a task to build unity among left, It is in these times that we must “coup” earlier in January. edgement of the problem was taken opposed the amendments. How- working class, and progressive remain fi rm in our opposition. The The move would represent an out of the motion as a whole. ever, when it came time to pass people, working in unity on issues only way to overturn such repres- important step in dealing with What was added is even more the amended motion, the ALP held in common, and respecting sive measures, is to ensure they do a growing problem that plagues concerning. The motion now makes supported it, allowing it to pass diff erences. A divided left is not not succeed. Though they will try Australia and countries around the a distinct “both sides” style con- without a vote. The Greens stated going to eff ectively oppose anyone time and time again, our struggle world, costing many lives in the demnation of extremism, arguing that, had a vote been taken, they but ourselves. will not be dulled.  process. Of course, those of us with that the issue comes from both would have voted against it. We must ask ourselves what any insight into Australian politics the far-right and the far-left. It Given the language of the initial it is they truly condemn when will know this motion was far too lists anarchism and communism motion, it is diffi cult to see how the they speak of far-left extremism. good to be true. The Coalition, in the same breath as fascism, as ALP did not predict such a result Workers’ rights; anti-imperialism; Guardian International 22nd February, 2021 11 WHO EXPERTS SLAM NYT FOR TWISTING, MISQUOTING THEIR WORDS ON VIRUS ORIGINS PROBE

Liu Caiyu and Leng Shumei said on his personal Twitter that Chinese/Int Epi-team! Allowing for it’s shameful for New York Times heated arguments refl ects a deep World Health Organisation to engage in selectively misquot- level of engagement in the room.” (WHO) experts who recently ing WHO experts to fi t its own Fischer continued that “Our visited Wuhan slammed the narrative. quotes are intendedly twisted, New York Times (NYT) for “Hear! Hear! It’s disappoint- casting shadows over important twisting their words and cast- ing to spend time with journal- scientifi c work.” ing shadows over the eff orts ists explaining key fi ndings of our “Throughout the WHO expert to uncover the origins of the exhausting month-long work in team’s trip in Wuhan, Western virus, after the newspaper China, to see our colleagues selec- media’s goal had been to push accused China of refusing to tively misquoted to fi t a narrative their theories that China is guilty hand over sensitive data to that was prescribed before the work of causing the COVID-19 pandemic WHO experts. began. Shame on you @nytimes!” and hiding information,” Peking Chinese observers said they Daszak posted on Twitter. University professor Zhang Yiwu A potential Covid-19 vaccine at a production plant of SinoPharm in are not surprised by the New York In sharp contrast to the NYT told the Global Times on 14th Times’ baseless report given those report, that has accused China of February. Beijing. (Photo: Xinhua) in the Western media have insisted refusing to hand over important As the results WHO experts this negative spin about “no access Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, on politicising the virus origins data, Daszak wrote on his Twitter released at the press conference to raw data.” head of the World Health Organi- investigation. that “We DID get access to criti- were opposite to what the Western In the EU, the access of person- sation, said at a briefi ng on 12th The report by NYT titled “On cal new data throughout. We DID media were looking forward to, identifi able data is either not pos- February that the summary fi nd- WHO Trip, China Refused to Hand increase our understanding of likely some Western media become so sible if without offi cial permission ings of the mission team would be Over Important Data” accuses spillover pathways.” desperate that they made such false under General Data Protection released soon next week, with the China of failing to share important Daszak said his experience is report, twisting experts’ words, to Regulations (EU GDPR), Fischer full version of the report due for data that may help in identifying nothing like the NYT depicted and continue hyping their conspiracy said. release in the following weeks. the origins of the virus and prevent said as the head of animal and envi- theories about China, Zhang noted. Wang Guangfa, a respiratory After the WHO stated that all future outbreaks. ronment working group, he found Countries that accused China expert at Peking University First hypotheses relating to the origins of After the report was published, trust and openness when working of trying to hide information or Hospital, told the Global Times the COVID-19 pandemic remained two WHO experts slammed New with his China counterparts. prevent WHO experts from inves- on Sunday that “Truth will tell open following the visit to Wuhan, York Times for misquoting them in Thea Kølsen Fischer, a Danish tigating would not even allow a everything.” Chinese experts and netizens called the report to fi t its own narrative, epidemiologist on the team echoed WHO expert team to enter their “Virus traceability investigation on the WHO to launch a broader with the report casting a shadow Daszak, who was quoted by the countries to investigate, Zhang said, is a scientifi c issue. It should not probe mission on the origins of over the scientifi c work of seeking NYT in the report, wrote on Twitter slamming their double standards. become a tool for political attacks the virus in other potential source for virus origin. that “This was NOT my experience On Twitter, Fischer also said and brings no good for the identi- countries. Peter Daszak, British zoologist either on the Epi-side. We DID it’s “important to stay true to facts fi cation of the virus origins,” Wang Global Times  and part of the WHO expert team, build up a good relationship in the if building up trust, calling to stop stressed. DISABILITY RIGHTS CAMPAIGNERS CONDEMN DO-NOT-RESUSCITATE ORDERS ON PEOPLE WITH LEARNING DIFFICULTIES

Peter Lazenby if they were taken seriously ill with preventable if DNRs had not been placed been forgotten about as a vaccination Covid-19. on their medical records.” priority. Disability campaigners reacted with Paula Peters of direct action group Ms Peters said that people with a “This, coupled with DNRs being horror on 14th February to further Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC) learning impairment are being denied the forced illegally onto them, shows clearly reports that do-not-resuscitate (DNR) told the Morning Star that “people with right to healthcare and treatment, with how little value this government place on notes are being applied to people with a learning impairment have been horren- DNRs imposed without their or their fam- the lives of disabled people,” Ms Peters learning disabilities who contract dously discriminated [against] during the ilies’ knowledge or consent. insisted. coronavirus. coronavirus pandemic. This practice refl ects the view that the Mencap chief executive Edel Harris The campaigners also condemned the “A recent report from Public Health life of a disabled person with a learning said: “It’s unacceptable that within a government’s failure to place people with England has shown that people with a impairment is of less value, she argued. group of people hit so hard by the pan- learning disabilities in a priority category learning impairment are six times more Ms Peters called for “the practice of demic and who, even before Covid, died for vaccination. likely to die from coronavirus than the placing DNRs on people with a learn- on average over 20 years younger than the Charity Mencap said that it had rest of the population and, if in the 18-34 ing impairment […] to be stopped and general population, many are left feeling received reports from people with learn- age group with a learning impairment, 30 removed with immediate eff ect.” scared and wondering why they have been ing disabilities in January of them being times more likely to die from coronavirus. She said that people with learning dis- left out.” told that they would not be resuscitated “That is a travesty and could have been abilities in care homes “have yet again Morning Star 

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NEW YORK: Dozens of historians and came amidst a major pushback by govern- academics, including Angela Davis, ment and business against a surging labor Gerald Horne, and Michael Honey, movement and a massive peace mobilisation have signed a statement to CNN chal- opposed to the Cold War. Communists were lenging an article published on the major organisers in both struggles, and in news corporation’s website on 3rd the emerging Civil Rights movement, as well. February that equated the Communist “Their crime,” according to CPUSA Party USA (CPUSA) with the coup plot- National Co-Chair Rossana Cambron, “was ters who perpetrated the 6th January thinking about and teaching Marxism. Their insurrection at the Capitol. crime was building a working-class move- The article placed the Trump coup in the ment for socialism.” context of previous supposed attempts to The Supreme Court later ruled that the overthrow the government. According to its Communist defendants could only be pros- critics though, the CNN article, titled “With ecuted for their actions, not their beliefs. coup label, Capitol rioters join the Communist A renewed interest in the ideas of social- Party in plotting against the USA, university ism has seen a surge of growth for left groups project says,” confuses more than it clarifi es. like the Communist Party and Democratic “Not only is CNN’s characterisation Socialists of America in recent years, espe- dangerous, it’s outrageous,” Gerald Horne, cially among youth. As it did in the late the author of over forty books on Com- 1940s and 50s, the expanding infl uence munist, African-American, labour, and US of the left and an increasingly active trade history said. union movement have given rise to a viru- “CNN’s characterisation is dangerous lent anti-communist trend, expressed both because it fl ips facts on their head. Far from in Trump-GOP circles and among a number plotting a coup attempt, Communists in 1948 of centrist-leaning liberals. were in fact the victims of a government “Facts and context matter,” Tony Peci- of the government’s repression of Commu- None of these publicly available materials plot to deny democratic rights – the right novsky said. “That is why over thirty-fi ve nist leaders and has asked that a correction constituted evidence of a conspiracy. of association, the right to speak, the right historians and academics from across the be issued. In a divided political environment already to their beliefs.” country have come together to issue a state- “CPUSA leaders were indicted for their full of “alternative facts” and “fake news,” the “To make this comparison during Afri- ment calling on CNN to retract the article beliefs, not their actions. The 6th of January signatories to the statement see McLaugh- can American history month is even more and apologise to its readers and the CPUSA.” insurrectionists have been charged due to lin’s article as particularly damaging, a view outrageous, as a number of prominent Black Pecinovsky, the author of a book of biog- their actions, not their beliefs. Any compari- shared by those in the CPUSA today. Americans, such as Paul Robeson and W.E.B. raphies on prominent CPUSA leaders, added, son to the contrary is insanity,” the CPUSA’s “With red-baiting and anti-communism DuBois, were affi liated with or were members “It is well known that the CPUSA was at the other National Co-Chair, Joe Sims, added. again a favoured tool of the far right, it is of the Communist Party USA, an organisation forefront of the struggle for workers’ rights, During the Smith Act court hearings, important that all Americans know that that championed equality,” Horne added. African American equality, and peace. They the government’s “evidence” consisted of Communists have nothing in common with In 1948, eleven leaders of the CPUSA were not coup plotters. They were move- rumour, hearsay, and fabrication, often the right wing, white supremacists who were indicted under the provisions of the ment builders, a part of the American radical sourced from paid FBI informants who later stormed the Capitol on the 6th January,” Smith Act. It was alleged that they sought democratic tradition.” recanted their testimony. Sims concluded. the violent overthrow of the US government. The CNN article, by Eliot C. McLaugh- Government prosecutors’ only other The complete text of the historians’ However, unlike the 6th January, Trump- lin, was based on research done by the evidence against the CPUSA leadership statement and a list of signatories calling inspired insurrectionists, the Communists University of Illinois Coup D’état Project. were the books, newspapers, speeches, and for CNN to retract the article and issue were never charged with any overt act. However, the Coup Project itself does not reports that had been published and widely an apology is available at People’s World: The arrest of the Communist leaders agree with McLaughlin’s characterisation distributed by the party in decades prior. www.peoplesworld.org.  LATIN AMERICA IN INTENSIVE CARE

Nuria Barbosa León In Ecuador, the National Court to determine responsibility the epidemic, the coalitions Brasil Minister Enrique Paris stated Assembly approved the dismissal of for the lack of oxygen, desperately Popular and Pueblo Sin Miedo that the number of infections The health crisis generated Health Minister Juan Carlos Zeval- needed to treat COVID-19 patients, organised eight-seven mobilisations has recently increased by six per by the pandemic continues los, and the initiation of impeach- in the state of Amazonas, principally throughout the country to demand cent. In addition, a complaint unchecked in Latin America, ment proceedings as a result of his in the capital, Manaus. the President’s resignation. has been fi led against the private plagued by corruption in the mismanagement of the national This Brazilian state experi- Colombia’s situation is grim clinic CareFullHome, which has distribution of vaccines, insuf- COVID-19 vaccination plan. The enced two weeks of total collapse as well, with intensive care units charged some US$80 for tests, fi cient health coverage, and Minister is accused of prioritising of its services, with an insuffi cient reaching a 90 per cent occupation which it then reported as negative the lack of protective equip- his relatives and a private nursing number of beds available and no rate, mostly COVID-19 patients. without performing the necessary ment for personnel on the home in Quito, disregarding the list plan to refer patients to other cities. Health workers are exhausted molecular study. front lines. of public hospitals prepared by the Also under investigation is the and protective biosecurity equip- This is the dilemma faced in The region reports 45.6 million Ministry of Health. use of 120,000 units of hydroxy- ment, medicines, and supplies for many Latin American nations and it infections and one million deaths. Likewise, police are investi- chloroquine to treat the disease, the care of critical patients are is not yet known how much longer In twenty-three countries vaccina- gating a clandestine clinic to the although no scientifi c evidence of in short supply. The government the pandemic will continue to rage. tion plans have been developed, south of Quito, where an unknown its eff ectiveness exists. and President Iván Duque have The Economic Commission for while eff orts have begun in Argen- substance has been distributed as In the wake of these scandals, responded with silence and ambigu- Latin America and the Caribbean tina, Mexico, Ecuador, Panama, a vaccine against the coronavirus, the impeachment of President Jair ous speeches. warned, on 2nd October 2020, that Chile, Bolivia and Brazil, although at a cost of US$15 per dose. Bolsonaro is being considered, According to the Chilean the region is experiencing the worst inequitable distribution has been Brazilian Minister of Health based on his irresponsibility and Ministry of Health, only 192 beds crisis seen in the last 100 years, with condemned by the Pan American Eduardo Pazuello is also being negligence. Faced with the gov- are available nationwide to treat major social and economic impact. Health Organisation. investigated by the Federal Supreme ernment’s passivity in the face of patients in intensive care, and Granma 

Head Offi ce (Sydney) Communist Party of Australia 74 Buckingham St, Surry Hills, NSW 2010 www.cpa.org.au [email protected] phone: 02 9699 8844 fax: 02 9699 9833 email: [email protected]

General Secretary Adelaide Elias Alevizos [email protected] 0405 020 614 Perth Vinnie Molina [email protected] 0419 812 872 Andrew Irving Brisbane 0499 476 540 [email protected] PO Box 98, North Perth, WA 6906 [email protected] PO Box 6012, Manly, Qld 4179 Western NSW Allan Hamilton [email protected] Party President Canberra [email protected] 121 McKay St, Cootamundra, NSW 2590 Vinnie Molina Sydney District [email protected] 02 9699 8844 Surry Hills (head offi ce) [email protected] Darwin Vinnie Molina 0419 812 872 [email protected] Melbourne Andrew Irving [email protected] Tasmania Andrew Irving [email protected] 03 9639 1550 Media Box 3 Trades Hall, Lygon St, Carlton Sth Vic 3053 Wollongong [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Newcastle [email protected] Youth [email protected] Surry Hills (head offi ce)