Healthcare for all
-An end to all funding cuts, closures and privatisations in healthcare.
-For huge investment into pubic healthcare to significantly increase capacity and prepare for future shocks.
-For mass COVID-19 public testing, and an expansion of the work to trace infections. Free accommodation and care for all those needing isolation.
-Personal protective equipment for all health workers. Requisition necessary resources from private companies.
-Fund extra cleaning and sanitation of public places. For free hand sanitiser stations in busy areas.
-End public subsidies to private healthcare and insurance providers. Bring for-profit healthcare into public hands so that the resources can be utilised for the public good.
-Make all healthcare, including dental and mental healthcare free.
Work or a living income
-No job losses or pay cuts because of the COVID-19 crisis.
-Extra paid leave, or a living wage subsidy, for all workers while workplaces are closed. This must include casuals, those on temporary visas and the self-employed.
-For all non-essential work to end. No compulsion for anyone to endanger their health. For workers themselves to decide what work is essential and when to return to work.
-Double-time hazard pay and personal protective equipment for all those continuing to work.
-Introduce shorter working hours with full pay to share out available work. For all changes to workplace practices to be agreed locally by workers and their unions.
-Employers should use the profits they’ve made to cover the costs. Those who claim they can’t pay should open their books and show us where the profits have gone.
-Cheap loans and support for small business given on the basis of proven need. Bring big companies threatening layoffs and pay cuts into public hands.
Welfare and social support
-A living wage subsidy of at least $1000 per week for all those unable to work. This must include the unemployed, students, people with disabilities and the elderly.
-An end to the demonisation of the unemployed. No to ‘mutual obligations’ or having to prove you’re looking for jobs that don’t exist.
-Food packages and the free delivery of goods for all who need it. This will help facilitate physical distancing and ensure that no one goes without.
-Introduce price controls on basic goods to stop price gouging and profiteering.
-Freeze payments on all high interest loans like credit cards with no penalty. No one should go into debt to pay for the basics.
-Free and unlimited mental health support for all those who want it.
Free education and care
-Close all schools, TAFEs and universities to help stop the spread of infections. Teachers and students should not be put at risk.
-Free ongoing care for all students who are unable to stay at home. All care and education facilities must be clean and adhere to physical distancing requirements.
-Expand resources for online education. Supply every student with a free laptop and make fast internet connections free and available to all.
-Refund all fees and course costs for the 2020 year. Give students appropriate extensions for work and exams where required.
-All changes to education practices should be agreed locally by students, teachers and their unions.
-Abolish all student debt and make education free for all from childcare to higher education.
Safe and secure housing
-Requisition empty properties from speculators to house the homeless, those living in overcrowded conditions, and all those who need refuge such as victims of domestic violence.
-Waive all rent, mortgage and utility payments for the duration of the pandemic. For no debts or fines to to be accrued during this time.
-Make evictions and mortgage foreclosures illegal in every state. No adverse rental history reports or credit ratings.
-Expand public housing stock to wipe out the waiting lists and make affordable housing accessible to all. End the rule of private landlords.
-Build campaigns of tenants and mortgage holders to fight for housing to be seen as a human right. Prepare for pickets and occupations to stop evictions in the event they are carried out.
Democracy and rights
-For health experts, in conjunction with workplace and local committees, to decide on recommendations for social distancing. Remove the profit motive from decision making.
-For mass education campaigns – not repressive laws – to promote physical distancing and hygiene etiquette.
-No restrictions on democratic rights including the right to strike and protest.
-Full work and welfare rights for all those currently in Australia, including migrants and refugees. No forced deportations.
-Free all refugees from detention centres and hotels, and release all prisoners detained for minor or economic crimes.
-No to excessive police and military powers. Use the resources of the military for cleaning and sanitary services rather than repression.
A workers bail out
-Reverse plans to lower corporate tax rates and taxes on high income earners.
-No handouts to big business and the rich with coffers full of cash. Taxpayer money should be used to directly benefit workers and the vulnerable.
-Crack down on big business tax cheats. Tighten the loopholes and increase taxes on those who can afford to pay.
-Use the mega profits and cash horded over the years by big business to pay for the pandemic measures we need.
-No to the winding back of extra funding to healthcare, housing, welfare, education and care. Defend and extend living conditions beyond the pandemic.
-For a trade union-led campaign to stop the rich sending the bill for the pandemic to the poor and working class.
Struggle for socialism
-For solidarity and unity between workers, the unemployed, students and the poor, both within Australia and across the world.
-End racism, nationalism, sexism, ageism and homophobia. We won’t let the top 1% divide us for the sake of profits!
-Put an end to the anarchy of the capitalist market. Organise production for human need not profit.
-Bring the key parts of the economy into public ownership, starting with the big pharmaceutical companies, medical suppliers, the banks and major utilities.
-Run society in a democratic way where decisions are made by the workers, consumers and communities they effect.
-For a sustainable plan of production that caters for human health and well-being, as well as the long-term needs of the climate and environment.
-For a democratic socialist world free of exploitation, oppression, war and poverty.
