- by Vincent Molina – President, Communist Party of Australia
- The Guardian
- Issue #2128
Vinnie Molina.
People around the world live in horror as witnesses to ongoing genocide in Gaza for the past 14 long months. Zionism has exposed to the world the depths of its depravity in the treatment of the Palestinian people. It has expanded further into Lebanon and other neighbours in the Middle East, destabilising the region and leaving death, destruction, and hundreds of people injured for life.
The excuse utilised and supported by the West, including the Australian government, that Israel has ‘the right to defend itself ’ means blood is also on our hands. Millions around the world have mobilised, demanding a permanent ceasefire, the exchange of prisoners, and a free and independent Palestinian state. The thirst for land and a greater Israel is not what the people of the world are fighting for. At the time of writing we hear of new conflicts and also remember those forgotten conflicts such as Sudan and Congo in Africa.
At home, we see failure after failure from the Albanese government who has not delivered for Indigenous people, on the cost of living crisis, housing, health, and the environment, its only notable ‘successes’ are becoming inextricably embedded as part of the US war machine redirecting Australian tax payer dollars into US military coffers and promoting the expansion of fossil fuels.
The greatest betrayal, though, has been to workers in this country as the Albanese government overrode union members’ rights to elect their leadership, singling out the CFMEU construction division for its frontline attack; a threat to all unions. An important struggle is now to bring the union back to its democratic rule. The union, currently under a draconian Administration, has been stolen by the government from members.
The CPA has expressed its solidarity with the leaders and members of the union affected by the unprecedented legislation introduced by a Labor government, and supported by the Australian Council of Trade Unions leadership.
Union members are organising, demanding control of their union. The sacked union officials are fighting on all fronts including a High Court challenge in a fight on behalf of every worker and union in the country. We demand that the Administration of the CFMEU ends and the union be returned to its members. All the officials sacked must be reinstated, so democratic rule can prevail.
The government has left many people behind this year. It failed Indigenous Australians, refugees, women, and working people struggling with the cost of living. Despite the attacks and difficulties, workers and their families have mobilised. There have been successful workers’ struggles and wins.
The workers at Woolworths have taken on their employer. QUBE workers are fighting an arrogant employer. Construction workers have come out in defence of their union, and nurses and university staff in a number of states have taken industrial action fighting for their rights.
The new year, 2025, will be a year of important struggles for workers and their families. Unions will have to struggle for unity and survival. The inner struggle must be on the principles of workers first. In the Communist Party we will continue to fight alongside workers and people in struggle. We will continue to commit our resources to achieving real democracy and social change.
The new year will also deliver a new federal government. The Albanese government has opened too many fronts and is at risk of letting the Coalition in. People will decide and in this the Greens, trade unionists, independents, progressive, communists and socialist candidates can play an important role to ensure a more democratic and diverse government is elected that puts the interests of the people ahead of the corporations.
I also express our solidarity with the people of Cuba who for 60 years have been fighting against the longest criminal US blockade. They will be celebrating the 66th anniversary of their revolution on the 1st January.
From my desk I wish you all a peaceful and victorious new year 2025.
