In the worst cost of living crisis in several generations, Labor are cutting taxes for the rich, spending $368 Billion on nuclear subs and signalling the need for tougher “fiscal restraint” in the future. Yet the ALP's second budget has been touted as “responsible but compassionate” for delivering a surplus while throwing a few insulting crumbs to the poorest welfare recipients.

We spoke to Red Flag editor Ben Hillier about why Labor’s budget continues the class war against workers and the poor. We take a look at some of the budget's false promises, the arguments around inflation, and why the liberal media are suckers for the ALP's social neoliberalism.

Check out the Red Flag coverage of the budget and related issues:

• Labor's budget for the rich

Note - We recorded this episode before Dutton had made his budget reply, so we didn't talk about the Liberals or their new racist campaign to link cost-of-living woes with immigration. But expect future episodes to address this and other budget adjacent issues!

We’re Chloe and Emma, and we’re so excited to deliver our first episode as the new co-hosts of Red Flag Radio! This episode celebrates May Day, the international day of working-class struggle. We talk about the history of May Day, from Australia to America to the Russian Revolution. We also ask some socialist historians to tell us about three of the greatest strikes in Australian history: the 1917 General Strike, the Pilbara Strike, and the Clarrie O’Shea Strike. 

Further readings:

• Rosa Luxemburg on the origins of May Day - https://www.marxists.org/archive/luxemburg/1894/02/may-day.htm

• May Day 1946 - Pilbara strike  https://redflag.org.au/article/may-day-1946-pilbara-aboriginal-workers-strike

Upcoming May Day rallies in Australia

- Sydney - https://www.facebook.com/events/1212625096051321

- Melbourne https://www.facebook.com/events/6059904107456640 

- Wollongong - https://www.facebook.com/events/162261140063412  

- Fremantle, Perth - https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=655428436589171&set=a.437367835061900 

- Brisbane - https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=599659355525905&set=pcb.599660352192472 

Hosted by Chloe Rafferty and Emma Norton. Produced by Jack Morris. 

Music by Dan Kenny. 

Subscribe to Red Flag newspaper: https://subscribe.redflag.org.au/ 

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/redflagradiopodcast 

Contact us on [email protected]

Millions of workers and students have taken part in strikes and protests across France in response to President Macron's push to increase the retirement age to 64. As a result of the resistance, Macron has been forced to pass the law by Presidential decree, sparking more anger on the streets. Revolutionary socialist John Mullen joins us to discuss the historical significance of this movement and the political questions it raises for those who want to see the defeat of the pensions law as a path to more radical change. 

Read more in Red Flag

France in Revolt by Christopher Di Pasquale - https://redflag.org.au/article/france-revolt  

Come to Marxism 2023 - April 6th - 9th - https://www.marxismconference.org/ 

Hosted by Roz Ward and Emma Norton. Produced by Liam Ward. 

Music by Dan Kenny. 

Subscribe to Red Flag newspaper: https://subscribe.redflag.org.au/ 

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/redflagradiopodcast 

Contact us on [email protected] 

Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull, also known as Posie Parker, is a British transphobic activist who campaigns alongside Neo-Nazi groups. Parker is bringing her speaking tour to Australia. After record numbers of transphobic laws were passed in the US in 2022, Grace Hill, the new National Union of Students (NUS) LGBTI Officer joins us to discuss why we should protest Parker and figures like her wherever they organise. How do mainstream politicians open up space for far right organising? And does feminism really have anything to do with transphobia? 

Read about Posie Parker’s anti-trans rally attended by Holocaust deniers and anti-abortion activists - https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/02/12/posie-parker-let-women-speak-glasgow-rally-fascists/ 

In the early 1970s, the Builders Labourers Federation (BLF) in Australia provided a case study in workers' power and concern for the conservation of the natural environment. BLF green bans preserved dozens of working class areas and historic buildings, ranging from Aboriginal housing in Redfern to historic National Trust-listed mansions. In this episode we speak to Jerome Small about how the BLF became a union that fought for environmental and social justice, and the lessons we can draw to re-build the left in Australia today. 

Read more

When Sydney was touched by workers democracy by Jerome Small - https://redflag.org.au/node/6774

‘I’m part of the union!’ How the Builders Labourers Federation set the benchmark by Liz Ross - https://redflag.org.au/node/6510

Watch Rocking the Foundations here. 

A live recording of the final election rally for the Victorian Socialists before we try to make history by electing the first socialists to parliament in decades. 

Featuring speeches by lead candidates for Northern Metro and Western Metro, Jerome Small and Liz Walsh. 

For more information on how you can help volunteer for Victorian Socialists on election day, or to donate to the campaign go to - https://victoriansocialists.org.au/.

Music by Dan Kenny. 

Subscribe to Red Flag newspaper: https://subscribe.redflag.org.au/ 

A special live episode recorded at the launch of our campaign to elect socialist, union organiser and long-term environmental and anti-racist campaigner Jerome Small to Victoria's upper house. Jerome's stories include high school walkouts against the nuclear arms race, civil disobedience with the climate movement, picketing the South African embassy in the Apartheid years, and organising blockades of mining companies in solidarity with the Mirrar Aboriginal people in the successful fight to stop the Jabiluka uranium mine in the Northern Territory. More recently, Jerome has supported workers in aged care, warehouses, call centres and other workplaces in battles over pay, dignity and job security.

Follow Jerome's campaign and get involved in the Victorian Socialists here;

https://victoriansocialists.org.au/

https://www.facebook.com/JeromeSmallVicSoc

The healthcare system in Australia is in crisis. Politicians talk about the 'pressure' that COVID-19 has put on the system but fail to acknowledge systemic under funding of hospitals and other services. On this episode we discuss what workers would do to fix the crisis in healthcare with NSW nurse Deaglan, allied health worker Cecilia, and socialist activist Jerome Small. 

Labor’s pandemic - https://redflag.org.au/article/labors-pandemic 

Nurses’ union raises pay claim under pressure from rank and file - https://redflag.org.au/article/nurses-union-raises-pay-claim-under-pressure-rank-and-file

NSW nurses and midwives strike again - https://redflag.org.au/article/nsw-nurses-and-midwives-strike-again 

Hosted by Roz Ward. Produced by Liam Ward. 

Music by Dan Kenny. 

Subscribe to Red Flag newspaper: https://subscribe.redflag.org.au/ 

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/redflagradiopodcast  

Contact us on [email protected] 

What can we expect from the return of an Australian Labor Party (ALP) government? Are there any reasons to hope for progressive change? On this episode we're joined by Liz Walsh and Josh Lees to discuss the first three weeks of Labor in power, and what we can learn from previous Labor governments in Australia. How does a Marxist analysis of the ALP help to prepare us for the struggles ahead?  

ALP stands idle while capitalists trash living standards 

Albanese continues Labor’s rotten imperialist record

Hosted by Roz Ward. Produced by Liam Ward. 

Music by Dan Kenny. 

Subscribe to Red Flag newspaper: https://subscribe.redflag.org.au/ 

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/redflagradiopodcast  

Contact us on [email protected] 

With the Supreme Court set to overturn Roe v. Wade, the battle for abortion rights in the US is at a critical turning point. On this episode Roz talks to socialist activist Emma Norton about the history of abortion rights, the limitations of looking to the Democrats to protect the right to choose, and the struggles that are needed to win. 

Hosted by Roz Ward. Produced by Liam Ward. 

Music by Dan Kenny. 

Subscribe to Red Flag newspaper: https://subscribe.redflag.org.au/ 

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/redflagradiopodcast