About

Socialism Today stands for the socialist transformation of society. We are the Australian section of the Committee for a Workers’ International.

The Committee for a Workers’ International is a global organisation of workers, young people and all those oppressed by capitalism and imperialism which is fighting to building a socialist world. The era of neo-liberal capitalism and globalisation, which has dominated the policies of the ruling classes for decades, resulted in unprecedented inequality and exploitation. The richest 8 people on the planet now have the same wealth as the poorest 50% of the world population.

Now a new era has begun. Capitalism is in turmoil, within and between nations there is polarisation and growing questioning about the future. Increasingly working people face regular crises, mass poverty, exploitation, environmental deterioration, wars, conflicts and attacks on democratic rights. These hallmarks of capitalism today can only be ended through a fundamental change. This can only come about by working people coming to power. What is required is government run by and for working people that break with capitalism and begin the democratic planning of the economy based on the nationalisation of the major multinational companies and financial companies. This would be the basis for creating a socialist planned economy, a system that will use new technology and human skill to benefit the mass of the population and not the profits of the richest 1%.

We fight exploitation, racism, repression of democratic rights, all exploitation and discrimination based on gender, sexual orientation or race, and national oppression. We fight for the unity of all working people in a global struggle against capitalism and imperialism. We strive to help construct democratic and combative trade unions that seriously act to defend and improve the conditions of workers. Militant Left supports building mass parties of the working class to unite all working people in a struggle to defend their interests and oppose capitalism. We stand opposed to collaboration with capitalist classes in the name of ‘national unity’. We argue that the working class needs to stand politically independent from all ruling classes and pro-capitalist forces. We struggle to build Marxist parties with a revolutionary socialist programme to defeat capitalism in each country and internationally. Struggles begin in individual countries but our ambition is a socialist world.

WORK AND INCOME

Trade union struggle for an immediate increase in the minimum wage to $30 an hour. End all youth rates. For an annual increase in the minimum wage linked to inflation.
All workers, including casuals, have access to sick pay and annual leave from day one of employment. For casuals to have access to permanent conversion.
Immediately rasie the minimum superannuation contributions to 15%.
An immediate increase to all benefit payments (pension/jobseeker ect.) to a living wage set at 60% of the median income.
Scrap the anti-trade union laws! For fighting trade unions, democratically controlled by their members. Full-time union officials to be regularly elected and receive no more than an average skilled worker’s wage.
A 35-hour week with no loss of pay.

PUBLIC SERVICES

No to ALL cuts in jobs, public services and benefits.
No to privatisation. Nationalise all utilities, with compensation paid only on the basis of proven need.
Fully fund all public services run with accountability under democratic control of workers and service users
Free, publicly run, good quality education, available to all at any age. Abolish university fees now and introduce a living centrelink payment for all students.
A socialist health service to provide for everyone’s health needs – free at the point of use and under democratic control. Kick out private contractors!
Keep public housing publicly owned. For a massive building program of publicly owned housing, on an environmentally sustainable basis, to provide good quality homes with low rents.

ENVIRONMENT

Major research and investment into replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy and into ending the problems of early obsolescence and un-recycled waste.
Public ownership of the energy generating industries. No to nuclear power.
For a massive investment of public funds into sustainable mining and farming, and development of green manufacturing industries.
A democratically planned, lowfare, publicly owned transport system, as part of an overall plan against environmental pollution.
Guaranteed jobs for workers impacted by the transition away from fossil fuels

RIGHTS

Full recognition of the genocide committed by British and Australian capitalism against indigenous Australia. For voice, treaty, truth, and real and meaningful land rights.
Oppose all discrimination on the grounds of race, gender, disability, sexuality, age, and all other forms of prejudice.
Repeal all laws that trample over civil liberties. For the right to protest! End police harassment.
Defend abortion rights. For a woman’s right to choose when and whether to have children.
For the right to asylum. No to racist immigration laws.
For the right to vote at 16.

NEW WORKERS’ PARTY

For a new mass workers’ party drawing together workers, young people and activists from workplace, community, environmental, anti-racist and anticuts campaigns, to provide a fighting, political alternative to the pro-big business parties.

SOCIALISM AND INTERNATIONALISM

No to imperialist wars and occupations.
Tax the super-rich! For a socialist government to take into public ownership the top 150 companies and the banking system that dominate the Australian economy, and run them under democratic working-class control and management. Compensation to be paid only on the basis of proven need.
A democratic socialist plan of production based on the interests of the overwhelming majority of people, and in a way that safeguards the environment.
For a socialist Australia and a socialist world!

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