John Passant

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April 2011
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Canberra: Left Unity Public Forum
Left Unity: A Forum with Socialist Alternative and Socialist Alliance on Left Unity 6 pm Thursday 16 May Room G 52 Haydon-Allen Building ANU Socialist Alternative and Socialist Alliance are in talks about unity, and as part of that process we will hold a joint forum here in Canberra on left unity in Australia. If you are interested in this exciting development and want to learn more or be involved, come along to this public forum and hear the discussion and debate. https://www.facebook.com/events/452603648150763/ (0)

Labor's super back down: a party rotten to the core
Me on superannuation and the death rattle of the ALP in The  Conversation. (0)

Marxism 2013 Conference
“Marxism is one of the best forums for debate in Australia” John Pilger gives a glowing review of the Marxism Conference. He will be returning to speak at Marxism 2013. Buy your tickets online today at www.marxismconference.org The talk on Saturday at 4 pm about taxing the rich looks interesting too.  Wonder who is giving that one? (0)

Marx and taxing economic rent in Australia
A very amateurish first draft by me on Marx and taxing economic rent, with too much explanation of basic ideas and then off on tangents and misunderstood ideas. http://docs.business.auckland.ac.nz/Doc/51-John-Passant.pdf

(0)

An article of mine on superannuation tax rorts in the Canberra Times
This is an article of mine in the Canberra Times on Tuesday 12 February. I argue that the benefits of the superannuation tax concessions go disproportionately and overwhelmingly to the rich and that it’s time to end the super tax rorts. (3)

Me in the media recently on tax
‘Mining Tax shortfall: the experts respond’ The Conversation 8 February 2013 ‘Current super concessions favour the wealthy – so why aren’t we supporting reform?” The Conversation 8 February 2013 (0)

Tax the rich
I am speaking at Marxism 2013 on taxing the rich. I will be talking on Sunday 31 March at 11.30. The Conference is the biggest left wing event of the year, over Easter at Melbourne University. Others speakers among the 70 or more include John Pilger, Gary Foley, Billy X Jennings, Brian Jones, Bob Carnegie, Jeff Sparrow, Antony Loewenstein, Toufic Haddad, and speakers from parties from Indonesia, The Philippines, Pakistan, New Zealand, the US and many many more….Check out the link here. (2)

The 99 Passant
I am about half through compiling the first volume of my most read (readers’ view) or most interesting (my view) articles from this blog.  Keep an eye out for Volume I of the 99 Passant when it is published later this year. I’ll keep you updated. (0)

More threats
As some of you may know I have been censoring the posts of a serial pest who makes anti-Muslim and racist comments and has in the past threatened me. He has posted again saying that the next time he is in my area – he names my street – he’ll ‘drop in to say g’day’. Clearly this is an attempt to further intimidate me. If anything happens to me or my family here are his details to provide to police.  jack 58.96.105.106  He has a druid name email at txc. (0)

Doctors and other bruises
I am having various tests and analysis done with a range of doctors over the coming weeks so may not be as communicative as normal on this blog. Bear with me. Hopefully I will be back in the New Year fighting fit. (4)

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Archive for April, 2011

Of weddings, wars and wowsers – have your say in Saturday’s socialist speak out

As a class we can empower ourselves and in doing so would no longer have to endure structures of feudalism and celebrations of war, bigotry and the mysticism of religion. As Trotsky put it ‘Life is beautiful. Let the future generations cleanse it of all evil, oppression, and violence, and enjoy it to the full.’

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Football, class and struggle

The players have the power to stop profits flowing to the AFL.

All they need is the will to do that and win whatever they want from the bosses.

Without labour there are no profits.

It is a lesson all Australian workers could learn.

Bahrain and Syria: a tale of two countries

Condemn all the Arab dictators and support those who are rising up against their tyrants and for freedom and food, justice and jobs.

Labor: seeking refuge in reaction

Labor is consolidating around a reactionary agenda and destroying itself politically as a consequence.

This is a government without political purpose, without vision, without morals, without principles other than ruling for the rich, but with a strategy to out-Tory the Tories.

With this sort of Labor trajectory the Conservatives could be in power soon.

Our task is to resist reaction of whichever hue and to argue for a fightback in our unions and in the social movements.

Maribyrnong, refugees and democracy

Two people in front of me reeled back, clutching their eyes. The cops had used capsicum spray on them. One was a photographer. Maybe taking photos is a threat to democracy too like tying ribbons on a fence.

Five people helped the other protester as he staggered about, blinded and in pain for the crime of attending a demonstration.

Tear down your detention centres, Julia Gillard

Refugees are the real ANZACS with their determination, commitment and struggle to win democracy and freedom.

Julia Gillard, tear down your detention centres.

The joy of socialism

But Marxism 2011 was a joy for another reason – the young revolutionaries. Here is a group of socialists eager to learn and keen to participate in struggles. Hope springs eternal in an old man’s breast when he sees the new generation of comrades. And when the working class begins to move.

The myth of ANZAC day

The first Anzac Day was an attempt to divert anger away from the capitalist class to those who were “disloyal”. It was also an important part of the pro-conscription propaganda.

Rebuilding unions?

Instead of wine discounts and cheap movie tickets, maybe unions could offer what workers really want – an organisation in which empowered members take action to win real wage increases, better conditions and defend jobs.

Is the one sided class war over?

We can’t predict what the spark will be in Australia for the resistance to the neoliberal agenda, but the events in the US, Europe and the Arab world give us great confidence it will happen.