After a slow start following our July district conference, the Alliance in Brisbane is in the process of rebooting itself.
We went into the conference with a new local west branch and now another has been formed covering the central and northern region of the city and suburbs. With a similar process unfolding to the south and south west of the CBD, we can expect another two branches formed within a short space of time.
To accompany the branch inauguration process we are trying to upgrade our administration to respond to the new locality format. We also hope to be able to service our Queensland out-of-area and “at large” members much better through this process of regionalising our work.
We can now harness the facilities of the Brisbane Activist Centre to strengthen our momentum. With a large meeting area (holding up to 80 people with an in-house sound system), office space and bookshop, the centrally located facility is for SA use on a contribution basis by arrangement with the Democratic Socialists, an SA affiliate. Alliance working groups, members, branches, caucuses, committees and affiliates are being encouraged to make use of the Activist Centre for SA organising. We hope to run special Socialist Alliance working bees at the centre to cover various campaign and administrative tasks. People wishing to volunteer for these should ring Dave Riley on (07)3266 4281. The Brisbane Activist Centre is located at 74b Wickham Street, Fortitude Valley – opposite Centenary Place.
With local, state and federal elections pending over the next 12 months, Brisbane district faces the challenge of getting its house in order, especially if we decide to push hard on registering the Socialist Alliance under the very undemocratic Queensland electoral laws.
In the meantime, we hope to explore the prospect of encouraging further branches on the Sunshine and Gold Coasts.