The Guardian 12 October, 2005
Report on Political Resolution
On Saturday, October 1, the Political Resolution of the 10th CPA Congress was presented by Anna Pha, Guardian Editor and member of the Central Committee Executive.
"We have before us a very vibrant, rich political document to guide us in our work over the next four years. …"
In preparing her report to Congress, Anna noted the changes that had taken place in the world in the four years since the previous Congress, and how those changes were reflected in the current Political Resolution.
"How different the world looks! The so-called ‘war on terrorism’, the ‘anti-terrorism’ and anti-union laws, Guantánamo Bay, the war on Iraq and subsequent occupation, the re-occupation of Afghanistan, the treatment of refugees in camps …"
However, the current situation is not all doom-and-gloom. "Giving inspiration to people around the world, there are the developments in Latin America, in particular Venezuela, the massive actions against the war and occupation of Iraq, against corporate globalisation, against the WTO, and in Australia the mobilisation of the trade union movement against the Howard Government’s anti-union laws."
The world looks so different, yet so much of what we said four still applies today. The Political Resolution quotes from the 9th Congress document: "the struggle between the people and the transnational corporations (TNCs) is intensifying. The situation in Australia and internationally is marked by the struggle at the centre of which is the struggle between the capitalist class and the working class."
The Political Resolution states that for the workers’ struggles to succeed: "… we must build and strengthen active coalitions of left and progressive political, trade union and community organisations. These coalitions must be based upon the unity in action of the working class if they are to provide the basis of an anti-imperialist, anti-monopoly democratic government."
Anna noted, "The introductory paragraphs lay the framework for the document: the struggle, the role of the working class, the need for active coalitions, the formation of a new type of government and the perspective of socialism. It is strongly anti-imperialist, promoting above all the interests of the working class and future of humanity and the planet earth."
"The Resolution emphasise the leading role that must be played by the working class and the need for alliances. The working class is the only class capable of leading this struggle for fundamental change."
"The Political Resolution’s outlook is internationalist and its analysis based on the application of Marxism-Leninism."
Many fronts of struggle
"There are many issues and fronts of struggle with common themes apparent around the world: peace and national independence, for jobs, for working conditions and rights, to protect the environment, for democratic rights, land rights and much else. All of these movements oppose the policies of the TNCs and conservative governments", reported Anna.
The Political Resolution covers in some detail the issues of world peace, the so-called war on terrorism, democratic rights, protection of the environment, mutually beneficial trade, sovereignty and independence, and religious fundamentalism.
Terrorism
Anna quoted from the Political Resolution:
"The Communist Party of Australia unequivocally condemns terrorism and rejects it as a legitimate tactic in the struggle against imperialism or as a means to end the capitalist system and establish and build a socialist society. It is counter-productive in these struggles."
"At the same time, we condemn any attempt to brand as terrorism the legitimate use of armed struggle or other forms of action in the struggle of the people for freedom, independence and a better life."
"The definition of ‘terrorism’ in the Australian government’s legislation is so broad that a nurse, for example, taking strike action could be deemed to be a terrorist. These laws and the most recently announced legislation are aimed at communists, trade unionists, peace activists, environmentalists and any other groups or individuals who dare to oppose the government’s policies or the ambitions of big capital."
The Political Resolution points out that the so-called War on Terrorism "is a convenient cloak under which imperialist states can wage war against all nations where ‘terrorists’ are alleged to be operating."
"It is a weapon in the arsenal of neo-colonialism, an excuse to wage war, occupy, or take other forms of intervention", said Anna.
The onslaught of governments and the TNCs has had the result that: "On a world scale the political consciousness of millions of people and their strong opposition to the policies of the corporations and their governments has never before been at such a high level."
Australia
The Political Resolution also looks at Australia in the context of the global offensive of imperialism and the world-wide opposition to it. In the context of the world-wide struggle, we find that many of those same issues are confronting the working class in Australia, along every other section of society other than the big corporations.
"We have privatisation, attacks on welfare rights, democratic rights, on the public health and education systems, on Indigenous Australians, neglect of the environment, barbaric treatment of refugees.
"There is the criminal spending of $60 million a day on military that could more than provide quality public health, education, transport, housing, welfare and other services of benefit to the people", said Anna.
The Political Resolution states clearly the role of the trade union movement: "The trade unions remain the primary class and mass organisations of Australian workers."
"Trade unions include in their membership workers of different political conviction and undertake activities irrespective of these differences and, thereby, contribute to the overall task of uniting the working class. It is with this in mind that the CPA places great emphasis on our trade union work and our work within the working class."
Call to action
"The Political Resolution is a call to action. Where issues are raised, it analyses them, exposes the lies and hypocrisy and then, as communists should, puts forward the demands to be advanced and calls for action to achieve these.
"There is optimism in the calls to action, conviction that people will continue their struggles, and positive references to where persistent campaigning has forced governments to make changes."
The Political Resolution concludes: "We declare that the 21st Century will be the century of socialism. That is the objective of our work and activity. But whether this is achieved cannot be taken for granted. It will depend on the successful outcome of the struggle against capitalism and imperialism. This, in turn, depends on the organisational, political and ideological maturity of the Communist Parties that must lead it."
Anna’s report to Congress concluded: "The Political Resolution provides the political and ideological basis for the CPA to carry out its responsibilities in Australia to ensure that the 21st Century will be "the century of socialism".
When presented to the Congress session on Monday, October 3, the Political Resolution was passed unanimously.