Progressive Labour Party

Summaries of Policies – March 2004

National web site: <www.progressivelabour.org> for full details of policies

What We Stand For – Our core principles – Excerpts from PLP Constitution – Summaries of Official Policies

Short History of the Progressive Labour Party – Membership form

What we stand for

This statement is to establish the political and social principles which will inform and guide the Progressive Labour Party and its members in their work, and to inform alliance partners of our basic principles. The PLP encompasses as broad a section of the community as possible: wage earners, the unemployed and the under-employed. We are sympathetic to the difficulties of the small business sector, including farmers. The PLP is union and award supportive and will be broadly left in its membership. Its programs reflect the aim of creating a sustainable, inclusive and just society, and recognise that this can be best achieved by the development of policies that are democratic and egalitarian, and practices that promote fairness and equality for all Australians.

Our core principles: we

! Support an end to "economic rationalism", privatisation and National Competition Policy;

! Recognise the irreversible right of everyone to quality health, education, housing and welfare as a right, not a privilege;

! Seek to boost public education funding , especially in disadvantaged areas, including rural areas;

! Have a full employment policy and support a 35-hour workweek;

! Favour a substantial increase in R & D investment to boost science and Australian industry;

! Aim at effective rural and regional development through Government intervention - and effective protection of rural industry where necessary;

! Seek guarantees to protect the environment, abolish uranium mining and ratification of Kyoto Agreement;

! Want to replace the two-party tyranny with a multi-party system through Proportional Representation;

! Favour a Maximalist Republic with a directly elected President and major constitutional change;

! Recognise the need for self-determination of indigenous peoples, reconciliation and affirmative policies;

! Will promote policies to spread media ownership, and secure the independence of the ABC and SBS;

! Oppose sexism, racism, homophobia, ageism, and discrimination against disabled persons;

! Seek solidarity with the disadvantaged around the globe and abide by international treaty obligations;

! Insist on complete transparency regarding WTO/GATS negotiations and full public and parliamentary debate about any proposed international agreements;

! Support the peaceful resolution, through negotiation, of international conflicts;

! Aim to review all Security and Anti-Terrorist legislation.

Excerpts from the PLP Constitution:

The PLP is committed to the following principles: participatory democracy; redistribution of wealth and resources through public ownership and control of strategic resources; social justice; the right of all people to expert and appropriate health care; proper housing; free education; socially useful and environmentally sustainable employment; freedom from discrimination and exploitation; environmental and social sustainability; the process of reconciliation in consultation with and as determined by the indigenous peoples; full participation of women in all aspects of society - and in the PLP organisation itself. The PLP supports religious and spiritual diversity, global diversity and justice. It will stand candidates in elections and aspires to be represented at the federal, state and local level. The party aims to be as active as possible in campaigning in the interests of oppressed people and building workplace and community activism to promote a more democratic and equitable world. It is committed to the formation of Alliances.

National Executive Committee contacts:

Di Gibson National President, Newcastle <digibson@idl.net.au>

Linda Gale: Vice President, Melbourne Mob 0414 857 392

Klaas Woldring National Secretary/Media, Central Coast Ph. 02 4341 5170

Bruce Toms: Treasurer, Sydney Ph. 02 9358 4834

Branch Contact Numbers:

Sydney : 02 9356 2371 - 9358 4834 <brendanokane@hotmail.com>

Wollongong : 02 4268 1580

Melbourne : 0414 857 392

Newcastle : 02 4967 1889

Canberra: 02 6297 5256

Brisbane : 07 3395 0920

Bunbury : 08 9791 1956

Queanbeyan: 02 6297 5256

Perth : 08 9440 0877

Summaries of Policies - See below:

1. Full Employment Policy; 2. Education Policy; 3. Economic Policy and Finance Policy; 4. Taxation Policy; 5. Health Policy;6. Environment Policy; 7. The Republic: Policies for Political, Electoral and Constitutional Reform.; 8. Industrial Relations Policy; 9. Women’s Policy ; 10. Youth Affairs Policy; 11. Immigration and Refugee Policy; 12. Communications Policy \ 13. Foreign Affairs Policy; 14. Defence Policy - Civil Rights; 15. Transport Policy ; 16. Indigenous Rights Policy \ 17. Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual and Transgendered Rights Policy; 18. Housing Policy

1. Full Employment Policy

The PLP rejects current economic theory that treats as inevitable the regular recurrence of economic cycles of crises and depression and the persistently high levels of unemployment. Australia has had a very respectable economic growth rate of well over 3% average for the past 12 years. However, increasingly work is being converted into forms of precarious employment. The unemployment rate is being artificially "reduced" by the creation of jobs of a casual, temporary or part-time nature, usually without pro-rata benefits which gives workers a very marginal connection with the labour market. Unemployed and under-employed people face poverty and social dislocation. The longer the unemployment continues chances of living a secure, happy and healthy lifestyle diminish. Contrary to official statistics, which have been manipulated to suit political purposes, in late 2002 the real unemployment rate was estimated to be between 12% and 14%. Economic growth has NOT solved unemployment at all. Neither major party nor the market place have provided solutions.

The immediate objectives of the PLP are:

! A guarantee of full employment and security of employment.

! An immediate strategy to reduce the working week with the aim of a 35-hour week, based on past productivity increases, and without any trade-offs.

! Job sharing will be facilitated; ensuring non-discriminatory gender and ethnic balance in the provision of work sharing schemes.

! Protection of Australian industry in order to save/generate jobs and decrease reliance on imports.

! The provision of adequate training for the unemployed and the promotion of respect for unemployed people.

! Compulsory overtime will be abolished as well as unpaid overtime and sanctions applied. A limit will be placed on permissible overtime.

! Elimination of long-term unemployment.

! Abolition of fixed-term contract work

! Re-organisation of the casual work system with the aim of creating permanent part-

time work with pro rata benefits and entitlements.

! Replacement of Labour Hire companies.

! The expansion of employment through an enhancement of the social and regional infrastructure.

! Provision of adequate public funds for the implementation of the PLP's Full Employment policy.

! Encouragement of environmentally friendly work creation

! Encouragement of new and socially useful Australian enterprises

! Adoption of the charter of the Shorter Working Week Action Network, and the Unemployed Workers Charter.

2. Education Policy

Public Education - action, not words.

Australia's public education system has been subjected to real funding cuts by every federal government, Labor and Liberal, since the 1980s. The current government has shovelled obscene amounts of public funding into the coffers of private schools, while allowing public schools to struggle on with inadequate resources.

Over 70% of Australia's children attend public schools, and it is these children for whom government bears greatest responsibility. While Liberals invent statistics to try to make privileged schools look needy, and the ALP waffled about creating a Knowledge Nation some time in the next ten years, the PLP recognises that urgent steps are needed NOW to restore adequate funding to public schools. There should be no further funding increases to private schools. Parents who choose not to make use of the public education facilities that are open to all should not expect the community to pick up the bill for that choice. Instead, government revenue should be directed to increasing resourcing to public schools. Key priorities for expenditure must be:

! reduced class sizes, especially in the early years

! rebuilding the resource base of public schools and TAFE colleges

! improved wages and conditions to ensure government schools retain the best teachers and other education workers and a guarantee of quality preschool education for all Australians

! proper funding of growth in the TAFE sector

! Expanded access for rural and remote students

Australia's quality public education system is the cornerstone not only of our economic growth, but also of our social cohesion and of our ability to build a genuinely democratic society. As issues such as refugee asylum, international terrorism and economic instability provide a climate where paranoia and prejudice can flourish, the positive community-building role played by a healthy public education system is more important

than ever. Public education must be celebrated, but a few heart-warming ads on TV are not enough. A real commitment is required.

The PLP sees education as a fundamental right and as an essential avenue for participation of individuals in all areas of our society. As such this system will be: free; lifelong; available to all. The PLP is committed to re-establish quality public education as a major priority of Government.

Effective education must be based on:

! a gender inclusive curriculum;

! a government prepared to fully fund the public education system, including community education;

! establishment of public bodies consisting of policy makers, educators, parents, students and voluntary agencies who each share equal power;

! establish a curriculum development process which will bring about a truly inclusive approach to indigenous peoples, children of low income parents, and migrant groups;

The PLP opposes corporal punishment and favours conflict resolution strategies instead. It aims to introduce student representative bodies at appropriate levels to ensure democratic influence on all decisions made.

Reform and revitalise the universities!

At tertiary level the PLP is committed to the autonomy of universities and staff. It opposes the commercialisation of tertiary education and favours increased public spending on and the expansion of tertiary education. The dumbing down of the universities has now become generally recognised as a disgrace of economic rationalism and an completely inappropriate strategy. It may take years to counter the damage of regarding universities as business corporations where the rich can even buy themselves admission should insufficient merit would bar them from entry. It is PLP policy to restore academic merit as the only yardstick by which achievements are judged.

3. Economic Policy and Finance Policy

The Progressive Labour Party stands against the aims of the major political parties to privatise any government controlled corporation, infrastructure or assets. As has been observed in recent times a government owned enterprise may provide the only real form of competition. Competition is almost becoming farcical with mergers, takeovers and bankruptcies occurring on almost a daily basis, thus eliminating any competitors.

Public monopolies (water, electricity etc) are far more effective as sole providers rather than as a myriad of competing companies. Because of their vital importance they should be under public control. Other strategic enterprises which should be serving the public interest include a national airline, shipping line, bank, insurance company and airports. It can be seen that with the demise of public sector enterprises Australia's welfare has been thrown to a market place where greed is put before service and national interest.

The PLP believes that the sale of any government owned enterprise, infrastructure or assets should be subject to an Australia wide referendum of shareholders, the people, the only exception being sales of obsolete or surplus equipment. We also stand against privatisation by stealth, especially the move to outsource standard functions of the public service and the health and education sector to private providers. Privatisation has been a fiasco for the Australian public. Permanent jobs have been lost and have been replaced by casuals and contractors. Service has deteriorated and after a settling in period prices begin an upward spiral. For far too long we have suffered under the propaganda that private is good, public is bad. It's time to take a new direction.

The Economic Policy of the PLP shall be guided by the vision of the pursuit of human emancipation and equality. The party is committed to the creation and redistribution of wealth through public ownership of strategic resources and production, through the democratisation of the area of production and distribution, against the present capitalist culture of individualisation and privatisation. The on-going development of economic policy is basic to the PLP program. Our first objective will be for the Australian people to gain control over their economy.

We will co-operate with unions, small business, small family farm enterprises, government and cooperative finance, and relevant community and local groups. The PLP will act to prevent any exploitative practices of national and transnational companies, and rejects the National Competition Policy.

Further Economic Policy Aims:

! withdraw from those various world trade agreements which undermine our national economy, reject the free trade ideology at both national and international levels and follow a policy of fair trade instead of free trade;

! regulate agribusiness, support small and medium owner-farms and encourage the cooperative and collective sectors protection for selected industries and enterprises which conform to environment, labour and other conditions;

! phase out all uranium mining, and charge owners with rehabilitation costs of all sites; restructure ownership of key resources by eventually returning to public ownership those industries which are necessary for a strong, self-reliant infrastructure.

Finance Policy

The PLP rejects the current global economic approach which argues for a reduction in government services and economic influence. It is an attempt to deny the existence of classes or the rich/poor divide.

The PLP Financial Policy consists of the following sections:-

Banking Policy;

Control of Financial Institutions and Capital Funds;

Monetary policy.

Main objectives

! Banking policy must be aligned to the aims of achieving human equality and provide for an effective system of finance. Banking policy must be subject only to Parliament rather than market forces. The Reserve Bank shall be in control of monetary policy at the command of the government.

! Public control over private financial institutions and capital funds shall be used to marshal the wealth created by economically active people and apply it for the interests of society. The PLP supports the establishment a Development Bank on the German lines operating on similar low interest rates, and for similar purposes. This will include the setting up of local enterprise boards to keep interest rates low; a Cooperative and Housing bank; a National Enterprise Board or National Investment Corporation similar to the Greater London Enterprise Board of the 1980s.

! Monetary and Taxation/Fiscal policy shall be used by the government to raise government revenue and to be used as a system of economic control. Treasury and the Reserve Bank shall be instructed to make full employment their priority. Interest rates shall be strictly controlled at differential rates and not used to control the money supply. Inflation should be kept to a necessary minimum consistent with full employment. The PLP favours the reregulation of the currency exchange rate.

PLP Statement on Globalisation and IMF/WTO/GATS

A major problem with the Coalition and ALP governments is that they accept or condone many of the policies and practices of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Word Trade Organisation (WTO) and the World Bank. Partly on account of these organisations’ policies - usually arrived at in demonstrably undemocratic fashion - the rich get richer and the poor poorer. Corporate globalisation has not assisted the 'developing' or 'developed' countries. It has assisted the wealthy and financial opportunists, the few, to gain more wealth at the expense of the many in all areas of the world. Through GATS (General Agreement of Trade in Services) the WTO is now attempting to privatise key public services in member countries, such as water and gas supply, public broadcasting, education, health and power. This has already resulted in take-overs by foreign corporations in several countries such as South Africa, New Zealand and Australia.

In 'developed' countries the number of people employed full time has dropped due to ‘downsizing’ and similar practices while state assets are being sold. Small and medium-sized countries lose control over their economic and political sovereignty and politicians become agents in the service of foreign corporations, rather than being effective representatives of the people who elected them. The two-party system lends itself particularly to this perversion of purpose. This has enabled many large international corporations to prosper. Benefits that accrue to them, amongst them frequently obscene salary packages for their CEOs and executives, are rarely shared with their employees though. Those that collapse first pay their debts to their shareholders and other businesses ahead of their own employees. Selected 'developing' countries are being lent money in conditions where the ability to pay the interest rates let alone the loan is unlikely while others with different political practices are left to their own resources. The use of debt as an instrument of control over developing countries is unacceptable as is the proportional growth of the poor globally.

The PLP finds the policies and practices of the IMF, WTO and the Word Bank often questionable and would support changes to Australia's involvement with these organisations. The PLP would seek to remodel the IMF, WTO and World Bank policies and practices in line with trade organisations that work for the benefit of all people not just the privileged few.

4. Taxation Policy

The main aspects of PLP taxation policy are:

! the redistribution of wealth;

! the redirection of capital and productive resources;

! the simplification and streamlining of the tax system;

! a tax system used to foster science, industry and technology

for the good of the community;

! the provision of adequate support for welfare services.

The PLP acknowledges that compared to other OECD countries Australia is a low tax country. Furthermore, that many corporations manage to reduce their corporate taxes to well below 10%. The PLP also acknowledges the urgent need for a progressive tax policy to establish equity by redistributing resources between high and low income-earners. A good, fair and efficient taxation system is essential to a modem democratic society.

A key part of any fair society is that all citizens have access to opportunity and help. It is most important that governments provide a high standard of education to all to ensure everyone has access to jobs and opportunity. Governments must also provide excellent health services based on need rather than wealth.

Taxes enable governments to do this and as the quality of these services improve the need for higher levels of government revenue also increases. The PLP believes that wealthy citizens should contribute at a greater rate than those less able to pay. That is, the system should NOT be based on "user pays" or on a flat rate system such as the GST, where everyone pays the same whether a pensioner or millionaire. Indeed the pensioner pays a higher portion of their income in tax than does a millionaire.

The system needs to apply higher rates of tax to wealthier individuals as well as business. For this to work the tax laws need to be applied fairly and consistently and without fear or favour.

The two major parties are in continual competition to always cut taxes to attract votes. This leaves the government with not enough money to provide adequate services which leads to outsourcing and privatisation. The mass of the population is then at the mercy of profit-oriented private services with increasing prices and declining services. We believe Australians are prepared to pay adequate levels of taxation so long as they were able to see that they get something important for it in the form of security for themselves and for their family now and in the future. Research done by EPAC in 1994 has convincingly demonstrated that preparedness.

We need:

! a progressive dismantling of the GST.

! higher rates of tax on wealthy businesses and individuals

! a "Tobin" type of tax on speculative foreign currency dealing

! more staff in the Tax Office to fairly enforce the laws

! adequate levels of taxation to maintain all public services at a high quality

5. Health Policy

It is no accident that our public health system is in crisis. This has been carefully orchestrated to pave the way so the health funds and American style "managed care" can be introduced into the country. To that end we will be redirecting funds from the private health system (and this includes the health funds which have received enormous payouts from the public purse) and injecting it into the public system.

The PLP is committed

! to providing every Australian with a readily accessible, comprehensive, fully tax-funded health service. The leading principle is that every Australian has the right to free, high quality health care. We support an adequately funded Medicare system.

! to promote and enhance health and prevent ill health, rather than to attempt to treat illness later. People will not be healthy if there is poor housing, widespread unemployment, poverty, crime, or environmental pollution.

! to remove the financial barriers and waiting lists which now delay early treatment of health problems. The PLP is committed to the reinstatement of a fully tax-payer funded public hospital system. This includes:

C Remove prescription charges .

C Increase bulk billing to 100% of the fee .

C Abolish all hospital charges immediately except for procedures selected by the government of the day, in consultation with the community.

C Increase nursing and clinical staffing levels and re-open hospital wards.

! to establish democratically elected Area Health Boards which will be directly funded and which will be responsible for the funding of hospitals, GPs, and other health services. Community Health Committees will act as local health issue watchdogs.

The issues arising from drug abuse should be treated as a health problem as with tobacco and alcohol use now. The PLP will support reforms in relation to medical indemnity insurance which will make it possible for medical practitioners to earn a reasonable living - and not leave the profession.

6. Environment Policy

Australia's natural environment has been altered and abused since British colonisation. The vast majority of its native forests have been wiped out; sheep, cattle and grain farming methods and clear-felling have contributed to salination and destabilisation of huge quantities of arable land; bio diversity is shrinking; waterways have become prone to algal blooms destroying Australia's aquaculture; and our living environments are congested from under-resourcing and unregulated industrial pollution. Repairing the environmental damage will require a sustained effort from the whole of society.

The PLP is committed to developing ecological sustainability for Australian society. It is crucial that Australia generates, uses, and recycles its energy supplies without destroying the natural and social environment. Neither the Liberal Coalition government or the ALP have a serious commitment to environmental protection or sustainability - for these parties their environmental policy is more driven by the interests of big business.

A commitment to environmental sustainability means a commitment to a balanced approach to development and the generation and use of energy to ensure that our natural and social environment is not destroyed:

! protecting the livelihood of promotion of alternative jobs for those currently employed within industries that cannot be sustained;

! promoting more efficient use of current energy supplies and the development of renewable energy sources with a view to them eventually replacing fossil fuels, eg. by subsidising such resources;

! re-establishing public control over strategic energy resources and ensuring that national and international environmental standards are met;

! reducing the use of fossil fuels;

! reducing carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels in order to reduce the "greenhouse effect";

! relieving greenhouse emissions by extending public transport use and reducing the number of cars on Australia's roads;

! ratifying the Kyoto Treaty;

! extending and enhancing domestic recycling at the local level;

! rewarding standards for industrial and consumer packaging which reduce reliance on non-renewable packaging;

! consulting with building groups and workers to develop effective guidelines for environment-friendly building codes.

Australia needs a forest policy based on ecological, economic and social responsibility. PLP forestry policies will be based on sound land use. They take account of the principles of individual rights and ecological, economic and social responsibility and will aim to achieve accord with indigenous Australians affected by forestry practices. Progressive Labour must protect wilderness areas from harvesting and overuse. This includes old growth forests, other natural pristine landscapes and designated national parks, as well as protected and sensitive marine ecosystems (eg. mangroves, estuaries, lakes, the Great Barrier Reef etc.). Farm owners will also be encouraged to undertake farm-forestry and plant woodlots on agricultural land. We do not favour privately owned land going to a company forestry controlled by overseas interests. We propose joint ventures between Government bodies and farmers to provide capital for fencing, preparation, planting management and harvesting. Overall, we will encourage the synthesis of farming and forestry for multiple use production.

Nuclear Power is not an acceptable alternative to fossil fuels. It would only mean substituting one problematic energy source (fossil fuels) with another. Progressive Labour will not allow further exploration of uranium deposits and will phase out mining.

7. The Republic: Policies for Political, Electoral and Constitutional Reform.

Major political, electoral and constitutional reforms are long overdue in Australia but they will not be tackled by the major parties Proportional Representation for all Parliaments has high priority, followed by the abolition of state upper houses, followed by the creation of a two-tier structure of elected government, national and local. The abolition of the states has been conservatively estimated to save $30 billion per annum. Australia has far too many politicians and civil services. There is massive duplication on many levels and many important national problems are not tackled effectively as a result of federation. Depending on the changing preferences of the Australian people some stages may be speeded up, collapsed or skipped altogether. What we present is an overall concept for change emphasising also the need for a overall strategic approach, rather than piecemeal tinkering, with extensive involvement by the voters. This can take the form of multiple choice plebiscites, followed by multiple question referendums. Our main policies for a new Republic are:

! President: elected DIRECTLY by the people, with symbolic powers only.

Note: the Irish Presidential model provides a useful guide - strictly symbolic powers unlike the present powers of either the Monarch or Australian Governor-General.

! Two-tier system of elected government: National government and a much strengthened local government system, coupled with administrative local government regions.

! Proportional Representation: aimed to create greater diversity of representation in Parliament.

! Improvement in the quality of political executive government, with consideration of a number of options for democratisation and broadening of representative cabinet government in Australia.

! Fixed four-year parliamentary terms.

! A comprehensive Bill of Rights.

! Safeguards for: (a) the environment; (b) Indigenous Peoples' rights; (c) women’s rights (d) other minority groups.

PLP policy is aimed at creating the Maximalist Republic, a Republic for the people, by the people and of the people - as it should be! A mere change of ceremonial Head of State would still leave Australia with a rigid and archaic constitution, an outmoded political system and a grossly unequal society. The time has come to consider clear alternatives to the federal form of government, the two-party system, the electoral system and the scope of government. A Bill of Rights, constitutional protection of the environment and a conciliatory settlement of Indigenous Peoples' rights need to be incorporated in a Republican constitution. We favour reserving at least five seats for Indigenous Peoples' representation in the National Parliament.

The PLP has adopted the position that a sovereign people naturally has the unfettered right to rewrite and replace their constitution if they believe this to be a requirement for their survival, prosperity and improvement of their democracy. The PLP reform strategy is dealt with in three sections of the full policy document:

SECTION 1: The inadequacies of the existing political system;

SECTION 2: A maximalist model for political and constitutional change;

SECTION 3: Drafting the new constitution, - constitutional continuity, - launching the new constitution by means of section 128.

8. Industrial Relations Policy

The PLP's Industrial Relations Policy is one part of an overall policy for sustainable development and social justice. Industrial relations legislation should recognise the dignity of productive work, and facilitate healthy, open and cooperative employment relationships. This means that the unequal bargaining power of employers and workers must be recognised, and legislation must address that imbalance.

PLP's industrial relations policy aims to:

! repeal the Workplace Relations Act, 1996;

! support the living wage campaign to achieve a basic hourly rate, and support the re-establishment of award conditions;

! support industry based bargaining and oppose individual bargaining and individual contracts;

! strengthen the role of the Industrial Relations Commission;

! facilitate greater worker participation in decisions affecting their workplaces and industries;

! ensure the protection of the position of unions in society and before the law, including the right to strike and organise;

! ensure that no worker can take another's employment in the course of a legitimate industrial dispute;

! support the establishment of an Un/underemployed Workers Union;

! oppose the importation of products made with child or slave labour, or from countries that do not have the right to labour organisation as set out in the conventions of the International Labour Organisation;

! replace the work for the dole scheme with real job creation opportunities;

! oppose the importation by employers of workers to undermine local jobs and conditions;

! cooperate with international unions and integrate with international efforts to establish workers rights and social justice in every nation and support pay equity for women.

9. Women’s Policy

The PLP supports the rights of women to full equality and participation in all areas of life. We oppose sexism in all its forms, and advocate freedom from fear in all areas of their lives. PLP policy encompasses for example the following: Women and Work; Women and Education; Women and Violence; and Women and Health.

Women and Work

At the core of a policy for women is consideration of the access of women to paid work and payment for work which they already carry out. The need for a specific policy for women is shown by the following: Women are under-represented in all decision making bodies: Federal, State and Local Government, Boards of Directors, Courts, Public Service executive. Women still earn on average 20% less than men, do twice as much unpaid work as men, and are employed in a much narrower range of occupations than men. The PLP favours the introduction of best practice maternity leave provisions provided by the State.

Women and Education

There is a continuing negative differential in the provision of educational facilities for girls in relation to boys in technological areas. These occur typically in the more secure and well paid jobs areas. Specific policies to overcome such discrimination must be developed. This may involve policies of positive reinforcement such as early intervention programs or the funding of increased access to equipment such as computers. In adult life the negative life choices which began at school are enhanced. Because women generally have worse paying jobs and less power in the workforce, there is more difficulty in carrying on to take part in adult education. These inhibitions also apply to young mothers and older women returning to the workforce following child rearing.

Women and violence

Women have the right to a safe place in their world. There must be commitment to providing the conditions for women victims of violence to become equal citizens in our society with help in gaining education, ongoing work and permanent shelter. This means that in areas of policy such as public housing, provision must be made for the allocation of a portion of available housing to be set aside for women and children victims of violence. The PLP aims to commit adequate government funds for the running of refuges and counselling services. There should be long-term commitment to policies which prioritise the battle against violence against women and promote the development of public education concerning domestic violence.

Women's Health

Women's lives have been medicalised and they are increasingly treated not only when they are sick, but when they are well. This means that normal life milestones such as childbirth and menopause are treated as symptoms of illness. This can lead to the over prescription of many hormonal and similar drugs, with the economic welfare of the medical/hospital community and international drug companies likely to be the touchstone by which women's health is measured. As well, women are more likely to consult the medical profession, leading to a perception of them as being less 'strong' and ignoring the fact that as the prime carers of the old and the young they are often the interface to the medical profession for these groups. This situation must be approached to ensure that women have access to affordable and culturally appropriate health care.

10. Youth Affairs Policy

The PLP has seen the youth of Australia become a distanced, disenfranchised and forgotten sector of our community in recent decades. Young people are having less educational opportunities, less employment opportunities, more and larger educational debts, lower socio-economic status. Today’s politicians aren't addressing youth concerns adequately. The PLP opposes age discrimination in all its forms and has developed its specific Youth Affairs Policy to address the conditions of young people in Australia.

The Youth Affairs Policy includes:

In employment:

Replace "Work for the Dole" with real job creating opportunities; introduce more job, education and training schemes available to all young people, not just those on unemployment benefits; adequately address the very high level of youth unemployment with shorter working weeks and other schemes.

In education:

Abolish all educational costs such as HECS, up front fees and loans, TAFE fees etc. at all levels of education.

In other areas:

Fund programs to assist in the very real problems of drugs and alcohol in young people's lives, and change legislation in relation to possession of marijuana. Support rural youth with subsidies for rural Shire Councils to install Internet access to regional libraries and to rural schools. Initiate recreational programs such as music, concerts etc. for rural youth. Rural youth should have extra services available in suicide prevention.

11. Immigration and Refugee Policy

The PLP recognises the contribution of all immigrant communities to the economic, social and ecological development of Australia. We aim to implement an Immigration policy which will take into consideration the needs and the capacity of Australia's economy and labour market as well as Australia's humanitarian obligations. We encourage the preservation of immigrants' cultural identity and support providing the means of expressing ethnic identity freely.

The policy also pays special attention to the direct participation of immigrant groups in the Australian political system. The PLP aims to establish a National Ethnic Council comprising of delegates from each ethnic community. It will review the Coalition's emphasis on business and other skilled migration at the expense of family reunion and abolish the use of probationary visas for all spouses and fiancees.

The PLP will not require assurances of support for family reunion sponsored by Australian residents; provide all social benefits to newly arrived migrants from the time they arrive; remove the requirement that immigrants in the family reunion category demonstrate an adequate knowledge of English; support the current interdependency category and oppose the ceiling of numbers approved provided the candidates meet the requirements. The PLP recognises the new immigrants to become familiar with the responsibilities of new citizens.

We will also increase the refugee intake to assist the UN with its humanitarian efforts and review cuts made to English teaching classes for migrants. We view with deep concern the inappropriate responses by the Coalition Government to so-called "illegal" asylum seekers. The PLP supports ending the ill-conceived "Pacific Solution", ending the practice of mandatory detention and reviewing the entire Border Protection Legislation. Refugee Transit Centres should be established near urban areas where refugees’ health and identity checks can be carried out within a minimal period in accordance with Australia’s international treaty obligations for refugees.

We support multiculturalism in its broadest sense and aim to overcome the deterioration in migrant services, conditions and employment opportunities resulting from the current privatisation policies.

12. Communications Policy

The PLP believes that all Australians should have access to quality information and cultural material. For this to occur there must be a diverse range of communications available throughout Australia to all communities.

We recognise that there is presently a mixed public and private system of communication in Australia but believe that it is essential for our future that moves are made to increase public ownership and control of communications and media. The concentration of print and broadcasting media in the hands of a wealthy elite must be addressed. The PLP is opposed to the further sale of Telstra and is committed to 100% public ownership of Telstra.

The PLP supports

! the majority of communications being controlled by the people through publicly owned organisations such as Telstra, Australia Post, the ABC and SBS. In any restructuring the percentage of publicly-owned communications should increase rather than decrease.

! a mix of both publicly and privately owned communications organisations, to provide the maximum possible democratic control of decision-making, and the maximum possible diversity of views.

! cultural maintenance and diversity as the goal of communications policies, particularly in relation to the availability of information, entertainment and cultural material in broadcasting, print and news media. This entails the support of cultural production by all groups in society, not just dominant ones. Particular support should be given to cultural production and communications by indigenous Australians and those from minority cultures.

! The goal that all Australians enjoy equal, affordable and adequate access to communications. The needs of different groups of people, such as those living in rural and remote areas, people with disabilities, people from non-English-speaking backgrounds, indigenous Australians and others should be given particular attention, as their needs have not been well served by existing communications media.

! the active involvement of Australians in promoting democratic and egalitarian policies globally through assisting those working for better communications in less developed countries. The Australian Government should support progressive communications policies in the context of globalisation rather than blindly following neo-liberal and technological determinist models.

! the establishment of a Diversity in Media Seeding Fund to finance the creation of democratically owned and controlled newspapers and magazines. This Fund would be financed by a 3% levy on existing media proprietors with a revenue of over $10m. In the first three years it would seek to fund one new national newspaper, and a range of national and regional newspapers and magazines.

13. Foreign Affairs Policy

Our foreign policy starts with a commitment in international forums to support social justice and self-determination for all peoples and the rights of the disadvantaged. Our objective is also to help negotiate and support global agreements which protect natural resources, bio-diversity and ecological systems.

The PLP fully supports the UN's charter of human rights. The overriding PLP's aim is to have a sovereign Australian foreign policy. The PLP will review Australia's involvement in current "Free Trade" and investment arrangements, and reserve Australia's position regarding such arrangements where they impinge on the rights of the Australian community to economic and political self- determination and independence.

We have rejected the proposed MAI Treaty outright in our 1998 submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties. We advocated a totally independent and transparent attitude in relation to the WTO negotiations in 2001 in our Official Submission to a subsequent Parliamentary Inquiry.

Australia's Aid Program should have a poverty focus and be directed to spending on basic education, human rights, women's programs, and elimination of child and slave labour as directed by the communities themselves. Our goal is 0.7% of GDP. Foreign Investment Review Board guidelines on takeovers and mergers should be strengthened to protect the development of local cooperatives and common ownership and control.

The PLP is committed to a nuclear-free Pacific, a nuclear-free world, and to world peace. We oppose uranium mining and exports, and the import of radio-active nuclear waste. We give notice that we would support termininating any contract signed for new uranium mines. Armaments export should also be discontinued.

We support a thorough review of the defence relationship with the US, especially in relation to the Communication Bases and the "War against Terrorism" following the September 11 events in 2001. We support an independent Australian Defence Policy. The PLP absolutely opposes pre-emptive military action and reaffirms the need to work through the UN system.

We favour long-term development assistance to countries such as East Timor, and West Papua Bougainville in their struggle for development and autonomy. The PLP supports review ing membership of regional trade pacts and forums with Asian and Pacific countries. Although the principal focus should be on our regional neighbours the PLP recognises the continuing importance of Australia's relationship with the European Union and the countries of North and Latin America as trading partners.

The PLP rejects the New Globalism of the World Trade Organisation(WTO) based solely on commercialism and the lack of labour and environmental rights. The PLP seeks the reformulation of the WTO to incorporate a strong Social Charter. The PLP also seeks the reformulation of WTO rules on TRIP's (Trade Related Investment Principles) and TRIM's (Trade Related Investment Movements) that benefit only the Trans National Companies (TNCs). The PLP opposes the implementation of GATS (General Agreement on Trade in Services) which includes free trade in global labour (the Multinational Agreement on Investment re-visited). The PLP calls for APEC to have a strong Social Charter.

14. Defence Policy - Civil Rights

The Australian Defence Forces should consist of a minority core of regular officers and troops and a majority of citizen forces (volunteer forces). Australian Governments should minimise the chances of Australia being involved in war by fostering cooperative relationships with other nations.

The Nation's forces should never be committed to combat for which the overwhelming support of the Australian community is not forthcoming. Parliament, using the conscience vote, should be the final authority for committing Australian forces to combat. All the armed forces shall not discriminate amongst officers and other personnel on the basis of class, gender, sexual preference or race/ethnicity. The officer corps shall be drawn by election from both the civilian and permanent sectors of the armed forces without discrimination and on the basis of merit. Citizen soldiers, while undergoing training, shall not be discriminated against by their employers.

An armed forces union shall be the legal body dealing with matter of pay. Pay levels in the armed forces shall be the same as their counterparts in civilian society. Armed forces purchasing must be done with Australian firms unless, for obvious technological reasons, the item does not exist in Australia (further details in the full statement of the policy).

Civil Rights, Counter-Terrorist and Security Legislation.

Both the Coalition Government and the ALP opposition have been involved in eroding the civil liberties of Australian citizens. It is a disturbing turn of events and is linked to what appears to be the ever increasing need of global corporate power to make it difficult for, or even prevent, legitimate protest. The undemocratic system of the 'New World order', where un-elected corporate leaders have more power than those we elect seems to have its supporters in Australia. Unfortunately it includes both the major political parties.

Both the Coalition and the ALP supported the Federal Defence Amendment (Aid to Civilian Authorities) Bill of year 2000. In 1999, both supported increased powers for the secret police in the form of ASIO and ASIS. In 2002 eight "Counter-Terrorism" and Security Bills were presented in Parliament by the Howard Government. The PLP protested against all of this draft legislation in our Submission to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Committee (in April 2002). By September, many of these bills were passed, with fairly minor amendments, with the support of both major parties. Civil liberties were severely limited and the hand of ASIO strengthened substantially. Further expansion of ASIO powers was supported by both major parties in early 2004.

The Defence Amendment Act (2000) for the first time codified the governments' ability to use the military to control public disorder. It allows a 'shoot to kill' policy to be implemented. The government can now, through simple administrative processes, send in military forces to control or cordon off an area to restore public order. The Australian public was told that the Bill was needed for the Olympic Games yet when offered the chance to place a sunset clause in the Bill the two major parties declined the opportunity. There is very little to prevent the government of the day from deciding that a demonstration of, for example, trade unionists, was out of control and then 'legally' shooting many of them dead. All it would take is for the State police to take a policy of non-intervention. There are precedents for this latter process.

Similarly, both major parties supported the ASIO Amendment Bill of 1999. ASIO now has the power to legally enter your computer over the Internet and view the information there, copy it and even alter it. The reasons for the increase in powers was largely hidden from the public and not debated under the guise of 'national interest'. The PLP is opposed to these moves and will champion the civil rights of people. One of the ways to get progress in society is to allow dissent to work its course, to challenge the status quo, and to provide alternatives in policy. We will continually remind the Coalition and the ALP of their weaknesses in this respect, and urge electors to vote for the PLP candidates, and join the PLP to help us gain a safer, more democratic future.

15. Transport Policy

Our present transport system is not sustainable or efficient, and does not provide for the needs of those who do not have cars. Transport uses a significant amount of our total energy supply, produces serious urban air pollution and a large proportion of total Greenhouse gases. There has been a alarming imbalance in government spending on transport, favouring roads over rail, private cars over public transit. Road transport, particularly cars and heavy trucks, is most vulnerable to energy supply disruptions and produces most of the pollution, noise and accidents. Rail and sea are much more energy efficient and less noisy and polluting, inherently much safer and require much less space. Although there have been significant improvements to the rail system, proposed and realised privatisations transfer those benefits to private owners.

The PLP's overall, major Transport objectives are:

! To ensure Australia's basic transport network is controlled for the benefit of Australians and cannot be manipulated by outside interests. Following from and in addition to this we will support publicly owned Air, Sea, Rail and Road entities.

! To reduce the use of energy, land and material consumed by the transport sector, and the pollution and noise it generates.

! To ensure basic transport services are available to all communities, especially those who are transport disadvantaged or disabled.

! To reduce the hazards to both users and non-users from the transport system.

! To reduce the overall need for transport and travel by improving accessibility.

! Coastal shipping services, as the most energy efficient of all modes for break bulk cargo, should remain in Australian control, with Australian crews, and be regulated to serve Australian interests by eliminating single voyage permits.

! We aim to increase the accessibility and convenience of urban public transport with commensurate staffing levels to achieve this. Local and regional authorities will be encouraged to restore city centres to the use of pedestrians, cyclists and provide 24 hour public transport in major urban centres, and to reduce provision for cars, especially long term parking.

16. Indigenous Rights Policy

The PLP

! recognises the existence of autonomous movements of Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islanders and resolves to work in solidarity with those movements. It guarantees indigenous members a right of caucus and direct representation within the National Council;

! recognises the fundamental importance of the issue of Indigenous sovereignty acknowledging that there are a range of ways that Indigenous sovereignty can be formally recognised;

! acknowledges the continuous existence of native title rights to land, sea and the resources therein and commits itself to oppose any extinguishment of these rights and calls for their constitutional recognition;

! rejects the Howard 10 point Wik amendments and supports calls to revisit this legislation in the near future;

! favours a Preamble to the Constitution which enshrines the above.

C In its Republic Policy the PLP has made provision for the allocation of at least five seats in the House of Representatives for Indigenous people to represent Indigenous rights, interests and people - to be elected by the Indigenous People, if so desired.

17. Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual and Transgendered Rights Policy

We strongly supports the rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered persons to be open about their sexual and gender preferences. We recognise that homophobia is divisive and will not tolerate homophobia.

Therefore, we will promote:

! quality, factual and non-moralistic sex education in schools;

! education programs to counter homophobia and anti-gay violence in schools;

! funding for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth programs including refuges and housing services;

! coming out, self esteem and suicide prevention programs;

! strong policies within unions to defend gay, lesbian and transgendered workers;

! opposition to homophobic attitudes which exclude gays and lesbians from working with children;

! support for gay and lesbian teachers, youth workers and child care workers.

18. Housing Policy

Housing is a basic human right and public housing is not welfare or charity; it is a basic requirement for people to participate in the community. It will be a PLP policy priority to eliminate homelessness, overcrowding and substandard accommodation. The public and cooperative sectors shall be the leading elements in this priority.

The principal objectives of the Housing Policy are:

! Quality public housing, not concentrated in Housing Estates;

! Government commitment to providing safe, secure and affordable housing options for everyone;

! An end to land speculation and profiteering;

! Assistance to those who wish to purchase their first home;

! Rents and Tenants' Rights -A complete review and overhaul of the landlord and tenants' legislation with a view to achieving greater uniformity and applying best practice;

! A democratically elected National Housing Authority to work with regional housing bodies;

! Universal access to secure emergency housing, and supported accommodation;

! Access to social services, including public transport.

POLICIES IN FORMATION : Arts and culture; Agriculture, Rural & Regional Development; Local Government; Science; Industry; and Energy; Impact of ageing; PLP responses to Law and Order Issues.

Short History of the Progressive Labour Party: 1996 – March 2004

The PLP was formed in November, 1996 when over 100 delegates from many parts of the country assembled in Newcastle to form a new political party. Since then a key objective has been to replace the economic rationalist policies of the major parties with people oriented and environment friendly public policies. The PLP opposes privatisation and competition policy and believes that the preservation and restoration of public ownership of basic industries and services will assist effective public policy formation and implementation. The original statement of aims also includes: "The party aims at the development of policies that are democratic, egalitarian and sustainable with programs that shall promote fairness and equality regarding gender, race, cultural identity, sexual preference and age". The new party will "actively seek to eventually be part of a broader electoral Alliance of progressive groups and parties that could act as a counter-balance to the economic rationalist policies of both major parties....". The PLP favours a Republic - after extensive consultation with the citizens - constitutional change and Proportional Representation.

By mid 1997 the Progressive Labour Party had recruited over 500 members and successfully applied for federal registration under that name. The Party has held Annual Conferences since June 1997 (Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney, Wollongong, Newcastle, Sydney). The Progressive Labour Party has become the most significant party to the left of the ALP - which has itself increasingly abandoned policies of the left. All PLP policies are under review at present and the remaining planned policies are being drafted. The Party ran candidates in elections in the ACT (1997), the Constitutional Convention (1998), the 1998 federal election, the 1999 NSW State (LC) election, the 1999 Victorian State elections, the 2001 federal election (WA and NSW) as well as in Local Government elections. We have received encouraging voter support in all cases. In the 1999 NSW Upper House election we received nearly 58,000 primary votes, and in the 2001 federal election (Senate) 70,000 votes in the same electorate.

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