- The Guardian
- Issue #1949
Coalition, ALP condemn communism as “Extreme”
On the 3rd of February, the Senate, unfortunately, passed a motion to condemn “all […] extremist groups which seek to promote fascism, communism, anarchism, violence and bigotry in our community.”
This motion was an amended version of a motion raised by NSW ALP Senator Kristina Keneally which was intended to take specific aim at far-right extremism. The amendments, which were hotly contested fell ayes – thirty-four, noes – twenty-seven, with the Coalition, One Nation, and Senators Stirling Griff, Rex Patrick and Jacqui Lambie voting in favour and the ALP and Greens voting against.
Immigration Minister Alex Hawke told Sky News that “the government rejects Senator Keneally’s thesis that there is rising extremism in Australia.” The problem with this statement is that it is not just Senator Keneally’s “thesis.” Mike Burgess, the director-general of ASIO, stated in an annual threat assessment address delivered in Canberra last year, that right-wing extremism was “real and growing.” In its annual report delivered last October, ASIO stated that:
“While ASIO has a longstanding and enduring interest in investigating and advising on the threat from both right-wing and left-wing extremists, this year saw an increased growth in ASIO investigations related to extreme right-wing groups, individuals and emerging ideologies. Australia is not unique in this regard; other Western countries have also increased their focus on this issue.”
In fact, the term “left-wing” is referenced exactly twice (including the reference above). The other reference is to right-wing attacks on left-wing causes. The term right-wing is referenced twenty-one times in the document.
These assessments are reaffirmed with each passing day, as we have just witnessed Trump supporters storming the US Capitol and neo-Nazis burning crosses in Victoria.
Keneally spoke out against the amendments stating “Today in the Senate we saw the government literally white-out a motion about right-wing extremism – they took out the references to white supremacy and right-wing extremism.” However, one has to wonder why did the Senator even bring this motion forward? This Senate motion was boneheaded for at least a couple of reasons. Firstly, surely Keneally knew the motion was not going to get the support of the Coalition with language directly targeting MP Craig Kelly and MP George Christensen. Secondly, that the Coalition would use it as an opportunity to denounce left-wing “extremism” – which they did – that would make it appeal to the “centrists” on the crossbench (which it did).
However, what did this tongue-lashing amount to? Nothing. Instead of standing behind the motion’s original intent as they had when the amendments were brought to a vote, the ALP decided to support the amended motion. Why? According to Keneally, “Labor will support the amended motion, because, of course, we support taking action against extremism in all forms.” If you ever needed evidence that social democrats aren’t our friends – this is it.
In her remarks, Keneally essentially promotes “horseshoe theory,” a theory that radically differing ideologies are actually close to each other, concaving the traditional linear representation of the political spectrum to represent a horseshoe. But does horseshoe theory hold up? Are communism and fascism similar, which is what Keneally implies? Not even close. Communism is a liberating ideology, centred on giving power to the masses and where no one goes without. Fascism is an oppressive ideology, an extreme form of capitalism, centred on giving power to a few and often marginalising other races.
Furthermore, one has to ask: What exactly is “extreme” about communism? Is it extreme to want the working class to own what they produce? That everyone has access to food, water, shelter, medical care, education?
If these ideas are extreme to Keanelly and the ALP, then they are no friend to the working class. However, the CPA is. The CPA has formed The Communists, our party to fight in elections. If you want to see everyday Australians taken care of go to the link below and register today!
communists.org.au/registration