Jess increases vote by 64% Big thanks to everyone!

Hi everyone,

With the election result still hanging in the balance, we would like to say a huge thanks to everyone who helped out with the 'Jess Moore for Cunningham' campaign. With 81.6% of the vote counted, Jess has 1155 votes (1.5%). This is already a 64% increase on our 2007 election result! Our highest vote counts came from suburbs close to where Jess lives. In Coledale Jess received 3% of the vote and in Austinmer she received 2.6%. She also faired well in very working class areas, e.g. 1.7% in Bellambi. So far George Takacs from the Greens is sitting on 15% across Cunningham. A big congrats to the Greens for their campaign, especially the wonderful victory of Adam Bandt in the seat of Melbourne and Lee Rhiannon in the NSW senate!!

Jess has been a fantastic candidate and has worked extremely hard during the campaign. She was able to communicate our ideas to a very broad audience and convinced people at every step. For evidence of this check out the campaign blog which documents the campaign: http://www.jessmoorecunningham.blogspot.com/. That being said she would be the first to say this has been a team effort. Thank you so much to the 80 or so people - Socialist Alliance members, supporters, friends etc - who worked on the campaign. A special thanks to our friends in Resistance, the Greens, the UOW environment collective, Equal Love Wollongong and ex-members of the Communist Party of Australia. Whether you helped letterbox, doorknock, fold leaflets, or whatever, your help and involvement is very, very much appreciated. On election day we had 50 people staffing polling booths with others preparing yummy food and drinks for the evening party. Let's stay in touch and continue the fight for a better world. Together we are stronger, and Socialist Alliance members will struggle alongside anyone and everyone willing to combat capitalism and campaign for a safe climate and better world. That means justice for workers, Aboriginal communities, refugees and queers, and for better healthcare, education, welfare and public transport.

Thanks to Jess and thanks to everyone who helped out. Stay in touch with what we're doing by visiting http://www.socialist-alliance.org/illawarra/ If you would like to join Socialist Alliance or would like more information please call me on 0425 329 963 or email bendigo1977@yahoo.com.au.

Yours in solidarity,

Chris Williams (Will)

Convener, Illawarra Socialist Alliance

Jess in today's Illawarra Mercury - fund student organisations!

Check out the September 1, 2010 edition of the Illawarra Mercury, it discusses funding to student organisations.

Jess gladly signed the pledge, organised by the National Union of Students (NUS) to 'fund our universities, create a more equitable system of Youth Allowance' and 'support student representative organisations'.

Jess writes for Tertangala, UOW students' magazine

Check out this article by Jess in the 4th Tertangala produced by the Wollongong Undergrad. Students' Association (WUSA) for 2010.

It also has a two-page interview with Jess starting page 36.

Jess was the president of WUSA in 2006 and has been a leading member of Students Against War (SAW) and the campus enviro collective. She has written for the Tert on a number of occasions since.

Click on the article for a larger image.

Jess in Northern Leader this week

Check out this article from this week's Northern Leader; it covers the August 11 'meet the candidates' forum organised by the Wollongong Undergrad. Students' Association (WUSA). Jess was president of WUSA in 2006 and played a leading role in the campaign against John Howard's Voluntary Student Unionism (VSU) legislation.

Jess received a loud cheer when she described this election campaign as the 'most boring' she'd ever experienced, and called on the major parties to actually outline what they stand for.

For Jess's speech to this forum visit http://jessmoorecunningham.blogspot.com/2010/08/jess-speaks-to-200-students-at.html

Jess in today's Illawarra Mercury

In today's Illawarra Mercury there are profiles of every candidate in the Illawarra. Check out this image from the Cunningham electorate of the Greens' George Takacs and Jess.

Remember if you can help staff a polling booth tomorrow, Saturday August 21, please contact Will on 0425 329 963 or email bendigo1977@yahoo.com.au

For all Socialist Alliance members, supporters, friends and volunteers there will be a 'S.A.N.E party' (Socialist Alliance Night of Election party) from 7pm on Saturday at 13 Girvan Cres, Corrimal. For catering purposes please let Will know on the above number that you'll be there.

Help put people and the planet before profits in Cunningham!

Jess speaks to Save Sandon Point rally

Watch Jess's speech to the Save Sandon Point rally on Sunday August 15, 2010. Jess couldn't make it on the day, so it was read out by local climate & Aboriginal rights activist, Ella Ryan.

For more information on the Sandon Point struggle visit http://www.sandon-point.org.au/

Youth activists say: Vote socialist and Green, then use your power!

Jess Moore, Socialist Alliance candidate for Cunningham, and Melanie Barnes, candidate for Denison, today urged young people to vote socialist and Greens and put the Coalition last.

“The spectacle of Labor and the Coalition blowing millions in an advertising slagging match is a turn off to younger voters,” said Moore, the national convener of socialist youth organisation Resistance.

Barnes, well-known Hobart climate activist, added: “The temptation for many young people is to turn off and vote informal, but that’s a mistake.

“We need to ignore the spin and demand some serious answers about the policies of parties on the issues that concern us."

Barnes recommended the web site Vote-o-Matic 2010 (at http://trog.qgl.org/voteomatic/) as a guide for undecided voters. The site orders parties according to people’s policy preferences on the issues in the election.

“The Socialist Alliance has produced a Policy Summary from Left to Right. (at www.socialist-alliance.org). Check it out and make up your own mind "

Jess Moore added: “But after voting socialist and Green, let’s act for the policies we have voted for—otherwise they´ll never happen.

“There is a lot at stake in this election for us - from climate change to our workplace rights to whether more young people's lives are going to be wasted in war of occupation of Afghanistan.

"It is our future and we can't let politicians in the pockets of big coal, big oil and big banks wreck it."

Barnes concluded: “Socialist Alliance candidates have had their best reception ever in this election campaign. That’s because we´ve spoken straight and we've addressed the big issues not played the manipulative politics of fear and spin".

Candidate profiles in Wollongong Advertiser

Check out the profiles of candidates in this week's Wollongong Advertiser. You can see from the titles that candidates stand for VERY different things. Jess stands for 'People before profits', while Labor's Sharon Bird vows to 'cut business tax'! The Liberals are 'taking a stand', whatever that means; the Greens are worried about unemployment.

If you can help out with the campaign to put people (and the planet) before profit in Cunningham - especially if you can help staff polling booths on Saturday - please call Will on 0425 329 963.

WIN TV coverage of Walk Against Warming

Watch WIN TV's excellent coverage of Wollongong's Walk Against Warming on Saturday August 14. Jess can be seen speaking from the platform, scroll down for her speech to the rally!

Jess speaks at Walk Against Warming

Watch Jess's speech to the 350 strong Walk Against Warming in Wollongong on August 14.

Liberals forced to pull misleading Google ads

From Green Left Weekly. By Chris Williams

The Liberal Party has pulled controversial Google advertisements after criticism and complaints from candidates standing against them. When Google users searched for the names of many candidates running in lower-house seats — including Socialist Alliance candidate for Cunningham, Jess Moore, who raised the issue in the national media — the first link to appear was a sponsored link to a Liberal Party website.

Moore told Green Left Weekly: “People who are trying to find out what the candidates stand for are being mis-directed to the Liberal Party's anti-worker and anti-social policies.

“This kind of dishonesty and manipulation should be condemned by all those who believe in open and democratic elections. Rather than debate us, the Liberals are buying sponsored links to confuse and mislead people.

For full article visit http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/45142

Jess speaks to 200 students at Wollongong Uni

Watch Jess Moore's speech to the 200-strong 'meet the candidates' forum organised by the Wollongong Undergrad. Students' Association (WUSA) on Wednesday August 11, 2010. There were speakers present from the Greens, Labor, Liberal, National & Non-Custodial Parents' Party.

'Young people can play an incredible role in making change'

Listen to Jess explain why she thinks young people are 'bored' with the federal election campaign, and Socialist Alliance's views on social change. Jess is also the national organiser of Resistance, socialist youth organisation.

Over 200 people attend university meet the candidates

Over 200 people attended the 'meet the candidates' session at the University of Wollongong on Wednesday August 11. The meeting was organised by the Wollongong Undergrad Students' Association (WUSA). Candidates running in Cunningham and Throsby from the Greens, Socialist Alliance, Nationals, Labor, Liberal and the Non-Custodial Parents' Party addressed the meeting.
Jess called on other candidates to actually explain their policies, rather than just issue platitudes on the need for change. She explained her opposition to the discriminatory NT intervention, the ABCC and the ban on same-sex marriage. She then outlined the Socialist Alliance's vision for a transition to 100% renewable energy, universal healthcare and education, free public transport, increased welfare benefits - all to be funded by taxing the billionaires and raising the corporate tax rate. See above post for video coverage of Jess's speech.

Walk Against Warming in the media

Check out this coverage of Saturday's Walk Against Warming in the Wollongong Advertiser.

Please come along to the walk to demand action on climate. Speakers so far include: John Kaye, Greens MLC; Jess Moore, Socialist Alliance candidate for Cunningham; George Takacs, Greens candidate for Cunningham; Genevieve Kelly, NSW secretary, National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU); and Patrick Harrison, enviro rep, Wollongong Uni students.

After speakers we'll hear from a class of students from St Brigid's, Gwynneville. They've written a song about climate change and will perform it on stage! Then we'll walk to WA Lang Park for a sustainable BBQ, stalls & entertainment.

See you there!

Ella Ryan, local climate activist, on JJJ's Hack

Listen to Ella Ryan - local climate activist working with Jess's campaign - speak to Triple J's Hack program on the campaign for 100% renewable energy!

Vote Climate website recommends vote for Jess Moore in Cunningham

The “world’s first dedicated climate election website” - Vote Climate (http://www.voteclimate.org.au/) - has recommended a vote for the Socialist Alliance in the August 21 federal elections.

Vote Climate provides detailed policy analysis based on available policy as the primary source, and public documents and public statements as a secondary source. Socialist Alliance is ranked first as the only party that has “policies that might stop runaway climate change” and that “adopt[s] a climate emergency response”.

The Greens are ranked second followed by the Democrats, as parties with “policies that won’t stop runaway climate change, but have numerous positive elements that will help the adoption of stronger response down the track”.

Labor and Liberal are also ranked as parties with “policies that won’t stop runaway climate change” and “take only limited action which will not stop global warming reaching dangerous levels quickly.”

Jess Moore, Socialist Alliance candidate in Cunningham and dedicated renewable energy campaigner, said: 'The science tells us we have about a decade to shift away from carbon-intensive practices if we are to avoid runaway climate change.This must be the starting point when developing policy to combat climate change. I am proud to be running for a party with the courage to put forward solutions that will give us a chance for a safe climate future.

'Australia faces a choice: continue with business as usual or make the changes needed for a safe climate future. But Labor and Liberal seem to think they can negotiate with the laws of physics and chemistry. They are totally tied to the interests of big polluters and refuse to take urgent action.

'Some politicians and corporate lobby groups even talk about climate change as though it were something to choose whether to believe in or not. But like the Earth being round, climate change is scientific fact. And the real question is: "are we going to solve the climate crisis or aren’t we"?

'The technology exists to move Australia to 100% renewable energy within 10 years. It will cost 3-3.5% of GDP. We can do this by taxing the corporate polluters and billionaires that were bailed out using public money during the financial crisis.

'Delay is denial. People want the government to take stronger action on climate change. Our policies on public transport, renewable energy and a just transition for workers to move out of polluting industries are an essential part of the required response. These policies would not only help avoid dangerous climate change but they would create jobs, cleaner environments and they would improve ordinary workers’ lives', Moore concluded.

Vote Climate describes Socialist Alliance’s policy as “driven by care for people, and they understand the direct connection between the environment, the services it provides and human well-being. They have reviewed climate science and impacts and concluded the mainstream response to climate change is nowhere near enough. The Socialist Alliance policy ... offers the best hope for the future.”

Media coverage of campaign

Check out this coverage in today's Illawarra Mercury. It covers the Liberal Party's purchasing of sponsored links of other candidates' names on Google (scroll down for initial media release).

Notice Sharon Bird comments that she's not upset by the Liberals' actions - no doubt because the Labor Party does the same thing!

Union veterans back socialist candidate

Check out this article in Australia's leading independent newspaper, Green Left Weekly, on Jess's campaign:

----------------------

Union veterans back socialist candidate

By Chris Williams

Sunday August 8, 2010 - Some of the Illawarra’s foremost fighters for social justice have backed Socialist Alliance candidate Jess Moore in the seat of Cunningham on the New South Wales south coast.

Highly regarded, veteran trade unionists Monica Chalmers, Neville Arrowsmith, Jim Keogh and Ken McBride, who have all spent decades in union and solidarity campaigns, have endorsed Moore and are helping her campaign.

For full article visit http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/45075

Liberals buy sponsored link for 'Jess Moore for Cunningham' on Google

MEDIA RELEASE

Saturday August 7, 2010 - If you search for 'Jess Moore' - the Socialist Alliance candidate for Cunningham - on Google, the first link to come up is for the Liberal Party. The same sponsored link appears if you search for 'Jess Moore for Cunningham'. This is now the case for all candidates running in Cunningham.

'Money from the big end of town funds the Liberal Party's campaign, and this is what they are spending it on. People who are trying to find out what the candidates stand for are being mis-directed to the Liberal Party's anti-worker and anti-social policies. This kind of dishonestly and manipulation should be condemned by all those who believe in open and democratic elections', said Moore.

'Rather than debate us openly or honestly the Liberals are buying sponsored links to confuse and mislead people. I have attended every 'meet the candidates' meeting that I've been invited to, in the interests of democracy and choice. The Liberal Party has failed to attend any of these meetings. Now - worse still - they're trying to stop people finding out about the alternatives.

'For candidates not backed by the major parties it's incredibly hard to get your ideas out to a broad audience. We can't afford TV ads, for example. But the internet is a much more even playing field. We've put a lot of work into the "Jess Moore for Cunningham" blog for this reason.

'How can we break the undemocratic dominance of the two major parties if our ability to talk to people is undermined by tricks like this?

'I challenge Philip Clifford to a public debate on the issues facing the people of Cunningham. Rather than just buying up website links, Clifford should face his opponents and honestly put forward what his party stands for', Moore concluded.

Jess explains socialist approach to elections on WIN TV

Watch Jess explain Socialist Alliance's approach to elections and politics on WIN TV news.

Jess commemorates Hiroshima in Wollongong

This morning in Wollongong, Jess attended the 65th anniversary vigil of the bombing of Hiroshima (pictured with fellow peace activist Sharon Callaghan). Every year on the morning of August 6th, the local Hiroshima Day committee organise the vigil to remember the 200,000 people who died of nuclear radiation, shock waves from the blasts and thermal radiation when the US dropped the bomb. More than 400,000 people have died since as a result of the attacks.

The Hiroshima Day committee call for an end to nuclear weapons and are also calling for the withdrawal of Australian troops from Afghanistan. For media coverage of today's event visit http://www.northernleader.com.au/article/nuclear_warning/

Union legends back Jess!

MEDIA RELEASE

Thursday August 5 - Some of the Illawarra's foremost fighters for social justice have backed Jess Moore, Socialist Alliance candidate, in the seat of Cunningham. Trade union legends Monica Chalmers (pictured, right), Neville Arrowsmith (pictured, left), Jim Keogh and Ken McBride have endorsed Moore and are actively assisting her campaign.

'I'm incredibly humbled to have people like Monica, Jim, Neville and Ken on board. They have tirelessly been at the forefront of struggles for workers' rights, women's rights, Aboriginal rights and other social justice issues.

'Change that put people before profit - universal healthcare and education, the 40 hour work week and the right to vote for Aboriginal people - were not gifted to us, but won by the trade unions and social movements. They were won by people organising themselves to act together for change. Here in the Illawarra, Monica, Jim, Neville and Ken are some of the people most responsible for leading progressive change.

'I'm proud to stand next to them, work alongside them and aim to carry on their tradition. They struggled with people and never gave ground to racism, sexism and attacks on the less well-off. They never gave up and they inspire me to carry on the struggle to put human need and the planet before corporate greed.'

Monica Chalmers was the first woman to head the South Coast May Day committee and spent decades in the union and women's rights movements. Jim Keogh is the secretary of the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) Veterans, Southern branch. Neville Arrowsmith is a founding member of the Illawarra Labour History Society. Ken McBride is the assistant secretary of the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) Veterans, Southern branch. All four have spent decades in the trade union and solidarity movements and continue to be active today for social justice.

Jess to preference Greens, then Labor before Liberal

MEDIA RELEASE

Wednesday August 4 - Jess Moore, Socialist Alliance candidate for Cunningham, will direct her preferences first to the Greens' George Takacs, and then Labor's Sharon Bird.

'The Labor government has failed the Australian people. They have shown their inability to govern in the interest of people and the planet. But it's important to recognise that a Liberal government, led by Tony Abbott, would be even worse', said Moore. 'That's why we've chosen to preference Sharon Bird ahead of Philip Clifford in Cunningham.

'Our preferences go to George Takacs first. The Greens have a range of policies that are far superior to either major party when it comes to social justice and action on climate. That being said we disagree with the Greens' decision to issue an open ticket. It's an example of electoral opportunism to maximise votes. We preference in a principled way, from left to right, regardless of what it might mean for our vote.

'I strongly urge the people of Cunningham to maximise their vote. Vote Socialist then Greens, and then put Labor before Liberal. A large primary vote for Socialist Alliance and the Greens will show Labor that it's just not good enough to be 'less bad' than the Liberals. It will pressure Labor in the direction of social justice and environmental sustainability while not risking a Tony Abbot led government', Moore concluded.

Jess speaks to Illawarra teachers

On Monday August 2, Jess addressed the 'meet the candidates' forum organised by the Illawarra Teachers Association. Present were teachers from local schools and TAFE. Others speakers included the Greens' George Takacs and the ALP's Sharon Bird. Philip Clifford from the Liberal Party didn't show up.
Jess explained her support for a universal, free education system including TAFE. She advocated the abolition of TAFE fees and the student loans scheme because students should have a guaranteed income above the poverty line. She condemned the federal government cuts of $50 million to NSW TAFE and the ongoing privatisation of our education system.
Jess highlighted Socialist Alliance's opposition to the My Schools website and league tables. She argued everyone should have access to education regardless of wealth and background. For more information on SA's education policy visit http://www.socialist-alliance.org/page.php?page=195

Busy few days for Jess

The last few days have been really busy for Jess. On Friday the candidates were officially declared (see photo) for Cunningham. Jess drew the last spot on the ballot paper. During the afternoon she volunteered at the Port Kembla community garden with friends.
On Saturday Jess spoke at the 'Defending Aboriginal rights, eyewitness report from the Northern Territory' meeting in Wollongong. Check out earlier posts on this blog, or http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/44718 for more information.
On Sunday Jess attended the 'Solidarity with Gaza' lunch, organised by the South Coast Labour Council. Jess has been a long-time solidarity campaigner for the rights of Palestinians, including speaking at the Wollongong rally for Gaza earlier this year (check out posts from early June on this blog). Funds raised by the dinner will go to the El Wafa hospital in Gaza.
If you can help out with the campaign this week please call 0425 329 963.