SPIRIT
OF EUREKA
Standing
up for a Just, Democratic and Sovereign Australia
Public
Meeting
FRIDAY,
1 DECEMBER 2006, 7.00PM
MUA
Offices,
46 Ireland
Street, West
Melbourne
Kenneth Davidson Economics
Columnist, The Age, and
co-Editor
Dissent Magazine
Julian Burnside Human Rights and
Civil Liberties Barrister, SC
Joan Doyle State Secretary,
Communications and Postal
Workers Union
Fr. Bob Maguire, AM,
RFD
Parish Priest,
South
Melbourne, founder Open
Family
152 years ago on
3rd December,
1854, the Ballarat
gold miners rebelled against oppressive British colonial rule. Miners on the goldfields came from
more than 20 different countries and many walks of life, but all were united
under the Eureka flag
in a common struggle for justice and democratic rights. These were the origins of the Australian
people’s proud fighting tradition and multiculturalism.
Australia’s
Indigenous people began that fight 60 years earlier, resisting the violent
occupation and colonisation of their
country.
The tradition of
the Eureka
uprising continues to inspire the Australian people’s struggles and strivings
for a just, democratic and sovereign Australia
today. The
Eureka flag
is a potent symbol of the people’s
aspirations.
In today’s
Australia:
- Hard won woking
conditions and trade union rights are fiercely attacked by the Howard
Government on behalf of big business and overseas
multinationals
- People’s democratic and
civil rights are eroded under the pretext of fighting
terrorism
- Public health,
education, public utilities and social services are stripped bare and
privatised
- Public assets and
utilities are being sold off to overseas
corporations
- Local jobs are being
wiped out by US driven globalisation
- Discrimination and
oppression of Indigenous Australians continues whilst their stolen wages have
never been paid back
- Racism is being
promoted to create fear and divide the
people
Australia
- Banana republic and the
51st state of the USA?
- Main
sectors of Australia’s
economy are dominated by US
multinationals and global finance
- Industries in
manufacturing, shipping, transport, telecommunications and culture are being
wiped out
- Mining and minerals
industries are dominated by foreign
multinationals
- Australia’s
foreign policy is a mere echo of US policies around the
world
- Australia
hosts important US
military bases and acts as US Deputy Sheriff in the
region
- US
culture is imposed on the people, whilst the culture and history of
Australia’s
working people is increasingly
suppressed
- US
intervention in Australia’s
domestic economic and political affairs and foreign policies
- US
plans for Australia as a
quarry for the multinationals and dumping ground for toxic and radioactive
waste
Just like the
Eureka rebels and other
generations before us, we must also stand up for a just, democratic and
independent Australia.
Entertainment
and Refreshments
Organised by the
Spirit of Eureka
Committee. Information: MUA 93295477, or 0417 456
001