LEFT CENTRE
RIGHT
TRIGGER WARNING: SExual Assualt and rape
1. What should we make of Facebook’s news ban, including the removal of On Dit’s page among others and the Australian media bargaining code? 2. How has the person accused of raping Brittany Higgins nearly 2 years ago gone on to be accused of sexually assaulting another woman? How do you feel about the Government’s handling of the case? 3. Given recent Cabinet reshuffles, factional conflict, poor polling projections (in New South Wales in particular) and a generally low approval rating relative to Scott Morrison, is Anthony Albanese really the right person to lead the Labor Party right now?
22
LEFT: Socialist Alternative
barriers to be safe at work.
1. Facebook’s news ban is nothing more than a turf war between a tech giant and Australia’s corporate media. Both sides are equally reprehensible. Corporate media outlets like the Murdoch press and 7News are demanding more money to spout right-wing propaganda. Facebook, to avoid paying, is willing to shut down access to media content. It’s shocking that these corporations hold totally undemocratic and unaccountable monopolies over what should be public services. The implications for free speech on Facebook are scary. Media giants are willing and able to suppress content that doesn’t suit their corporate agenda.
3. There is no ‘right person’ to lead Labor, a party completely unwilling to provide genuine opposition to the Liberals. Labor has trailed behind the abhorrent Morrison Government, which is completely beholden to fossil fuel industries. Albanese, the leader of Labor’s supposed ‘Left’ faction, has shifted the party further to the right. Under his leadership, Labor has abandoned its already weak emissions targets and measures to reduce inequality. When asked about the Government’s JobKeeper scheme, his biggest criticism was that workers were receiving too much money. No leader of Labor, a party loyal to Australian capitalism, is going to advocate for the masses. We need a genuine socialist left to fight the Liberals.
2. At least four women have come forward accusing a high-ranking Liberal staffer of rape. The Government’s response has been effectively to cover up a serial rapist. It’s impossible to imagine that the Prime Minister’s office was unaware of this. All evidence indicates that they sat on the allegations and blackmailed victims into not coming forward, not wanting to lose a ‘rising star’ in their ranks or risk defeat in the upcoming Federal Election. Put simply, the rich and powerful protect their own. What a total indictment on the sexist culture permeating elite politics. It’s shameful that so many women workers face countless
CENTRE: Labor Club 1. This is essentially a proxy war between two billionaires: Rupert Murdoch and Mark Zuckerberg. Scott Morrison picked Murdoch, as he always does, and Zuckerberg’s retribution was swift and without mercy. In the battle between old and new media, it is disgraceful that On Dit’s page and other independent and dynamic media sources were removed. On Dit is based and long may it remain so. Also, read The Hilarian.
