By Chris Slee, Melbourne

In their proposed amendment to the public transport policy, Jonathan Strauss and Helen Said say that Socialist Alliance will: “Build a Very Fast Train network for the area from Adelaide to Cairns to the level where it will replace most domestic major city air travel, which is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions and other air and noise pollution.”

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Following our recent National Executive meeting it was requested that we include a copy of the original motion on the NDIS tabled at the 9th National Conference for reference. 

This was a section in the amendment to the Disability Policy moved by Sybille Kaczorek and Helen Said. The section was debated, and was set aside pending further development prior to a Special Policy Conference. Included is a copy of the adopted Disability Policy (minus the section on the NDIS) . 

Special Policy Conference Dossier with Appendix.pdf

SOCIALIST ALLIANCE SPECIAL POLICY CONFERENCE: SUNDAY MAY 19, 2013

CONTENTS: 

• Amendment to the National Disability Policy: National Disability Insurance Scheme.
• Amendments to the Agriculture policy. 
• Amendments to the Transport policy. 
• Amendments to the Sex Worker policy. 
• Amendments to the Women's Charter. 
• Amendments to the Marriage and Civil Unions policy.  

Download Conference Dossier for printing.

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By Elena Garcia, at large, Queensland

The problem

Farmers and agricultural businesses, according to the latest ABS figures (2009-2010), manage 52% of the Australian environment.[1] There are approximately 134,000 farm businesses in Australia, 99 percent of which are family owned and operated, and as of 2010-11 they employ only 307,000 people to manage 417.3 million hectares of land[2], including the 46.3% of Australia that is marginal land[3].

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Moved by Sue Bolton, Melbourne.

In August 2011, the Council of Australian Governments agreed on the need for major reform of disability services through a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Such reform was an outcome of the Productivity Commission's inquiry into disability care and support.

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The Socialist Alliance National Executive voted on February 8 to call a one-day special national conference for Sunday May 19, 2013. 

The purpose of this special conference is to deal with the policy matters that could not be dealt with at our recent national conference  due to time constraints. 

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By Dave Holmes, Melbourne

[The following short presentation was made to a meeting of Moreland Socialists on February 28, 2013 to kick off a discussion on developing our policy platform.]

Scope of the question

What are “development” issues? “Development” concerns housing and all the issues of liveability associated with it: transport; urban environment; sustainability; green spaces and parks; schools and other facilities; jobs; and food (how and where it is produced, the cost to the consumer); and many more.

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