ALP rank and file.
It is no exaggeration to state that dispute over privatisation represents the deepest rift within the NSW State Labor Party for decades. The rift cuts across factional lines. Members who consider themselves right (and are on most issues) are aligning themselves with those on the left and the union movement to oppose this privatisation -- initiated by a Iemma Labor Government. It's a case of Premier Morris Iemma, Treasurer Michael Costa and a gang of M.P.'s versus the rest. Labor members are crossing the floor. Correctly, they are stating that they are adhering to NSW ALP policy. Iemma and Costa are not. But it is clear that they are going to get away with it. They are treating with contempt a resolution overwhelmingly carried by NSW State Conference. Contempt is the best description of their attitude to the rank and file anyway.
We too are opposed to privatisation. The grounds for opposing both Iemma's proposal and privatisation in general are well founded. They say privatisation is more efficient but this efficiency is not for us. Privately owned electricity is more efficient in attacking us! They will increase charges. They will lay off workers. They will only increase plant in areas where they perceive more profit will be made. So if you live in the country side it may be bad luck. You could suffer blackouts through cut backs in production. The country will suffer as it is more expensive to provide services over great distances, it simply is less profitable.
The first responsibility of any private entity is to its shareholders. This means profits come before consumers who will suffer in the interests of share holders. In Victoria, workers have been laid off. In Auckland NZ consumers have suffered black outs. Only in Queensland has privately owned electricity companies have developed more infra-structure. There is nothing to gain for consumers for privatisation.
The Greens also oppose privatisation on an environmental basis. They point out that private companies have no interest in seeking solutions in harmony with the environment if there is no profit to be gained.
So why are Iemma and Costa so gung ho in promoting it? Well it�s for the money they will get from the sale and for the state's AAA credit rating. For Iemma and capitalist allies, this must take priority. Iemma is backed by Kevin Rudd who considers privatisation of NSW electricity "an important part of his reform agenda".
Of course it is not revolutionary merely to support a public electricity scheme. Electricity is a basic necessity and rank and file unionists and ALP members realise that there is no guarantee of this under a privately owned scheme. They also realise that even though electricity may be available it may not be safe or affordable. Iemma is talking about safeguards but don't guarantee these lasting, especially if the Liberals are elected.
The current power struggle poses serious questions: who should control the ALP and who should that party serve? What does ALP democracy mean if Labor premiers can treat policy with total contempt? It is to be hoped that lessons will be learned.
For decades, Labor governments have run roughshod over unionists and working people. Labor governments, state and federal have been only "in power" on the condition that they serve capital and attack the class who built the party in the first place. Iemma and Costa can afford to be arrogant because they know that their rivals have no fundamental alternative perspective. Therefore the rank and file are treated with contempt. Policy voted on by elected delegates can be thrown on the scrap heap. On this issue, Iemma and Costa, know they have the support of the Liberals. So they will push it through irrespective of defiant backbenchers crossing the floor.
For a revolutionary worker's and small farmers' government! There are many reasons for breaking from Labor. These include Rudd supporting the US in Afghanistan, reactionary legislation against building unions, Labor supporting the NT invasion against Black communities; Labor supporting work for the dole. But no other struggle has polarised Labor. It�s Iemma and cronies versus the rest.
There is, of course and alternative. It is the alternative of class struggle. It is the alternative of a revolutionary communist party. Factory committees are important for workers to debate action on the ground. It is up to rank and file workers to organise on the job against privatisation and resist it by direct action. This action must be linked to a programme which fights both the government and the system itself
ALP's contempt to the overt wishes of both ordinary working people and their own rank and file shows that Labor is clearly a boss�s party.