Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Take back the wealth - Sam for Fremantle election leaflet


Why we need public ownership of mines, banks and power companies

1 Wealth redistribution
The richest 20% in Australia own more than the rest combined. Mining company profits increased 540% between 2000 and 2009, while the share they paid as tax or royalties dropped from 40% to 14%. Yet Gina Rinehart wants to pay workers $2 per day! We need to take wealth from this greedy minority and use it for the benefit of society as a whole.

2 Essential to reduce carbon emissions
While the mining and energy industries are privately owned we can’t take serious action on climate. Labor’s carbon trading scheme will see billions in hand-outs to big polluters without reducing emissions. The Liberals’ do nothing plan is worse. Both are servants of mining companies. Public ownership will enable a rapid transition to 100% renewable energy.

3 Genuine democracy
We need a say in the major investment decisions that affect us. Without public ownership of such monopolised and strategic sectors of the economy, we can’t have a meaningful say in our society.

Blame the fat cats not refugees
"Cruel refugee bashing must stop. Billions are wasted locking up innocent people fleeing for their lives. This racist poison is spread by politicians to hide their own culpability in supporting big money over people.

"Abbott would be worse but whoever wins we need to campaign for justice in the streets and communities.

"Support for Socialist Alliance helps those campaigns."

Sam Wainwright is a City of Fremantle councillor, disability support worker, human rights activist and unionist. He helped relaunch the Bicycle Users Group, is active with Freo Road to Rail and is a founder of Action for Human Rights in Tamil Eelam & Sri Lanka. See more at www.freoreport.net

DOWNLOAD: PDF file