Successful state conference in WA – membership trebles

Socialist Alliance had a very successful WA state conference on August 15. Between 60 and 70 people participated over the day, peaking at over 50 people for the evening public meeting and cultural night.

The conference was marked by its broad participation including panel presentations by representatives of the Socialist Party and the Communist Party. Greetings were presented by representatives of Friends of Palestine WA, the Australia-Cuba Friendship Society and the campaign against genetically engineered crops in WA.

Seven people joined or renewed their membership in the Alliance at the conference. These new members mean that we have passed the threshold that represents a trebling of our WA membership in 2009. We are aiming to reach 100 financial members by the end of the year – the highest membership the Alliance has ever had in WA.

The highlight of the conference was the public meeting with retired coal miner Graham Brown and Sudanese musical group WAZA. The conference also discussed the election campaign of Socialist Alliance member Sam Wainwright for the Fremantle Council and the Alliance’s work in the campaign for a safe climate.

The conference also established an education committee for the Alliance, decided to formally affiliated to the Friends of Palestine and changed the name of the Resistance Centre to the Perth Activist Centre. Participants also wrote solidarity messages to each of the “Cuban five” – anti-terrorists imprisoned in US jails.