30-06-2010, 02:56 PM
Julia Gillard: Rudd, PM to face off
The Mail (local newspaper in Werribee)
BY CAMERON TAIT
30 Jun, 2010 12:00 AM
WHILE his uncle was sensationally dumped by the ALP as prime minister last week,
Van Thanh Rudd plans to challenge his replacement, Julia Gillard, as she stands
for a fifth term as the member for Lalor at this year's federal election.
The twist has added extra spice to a campaign bound to attract national
attention, given Ms Gillard's sudden elevation to the nation's highest office.
A 37-year-old artist and activist originally from Queensland, Mr Van announced
his intention outside Ms Gillard's Werribee office on Friday. He will contest
the seat for the Revolutionary Socialist Party.
The party's website states: "We stand for the transformation of human society,
from its current basis of greed, exploitation, war, oppression and environmental
destruction, to a commonwealth of social ownership, solidarity and human
freedom, living in harmony with our planet's ecosystems."
It advocates the "overthrow of capitalism and its replacement by socialism" and
bases itself on the theories of Karl Marx and the socialist revolutions in
Russia, Vietnam and Cuba.
A Braybrook resident, Mr Van has been embroiled in a number of controversies
over the years, mostly related to his left-wing artworks and an anti-racism
protest on Australia Day this year in which he dressed up in a Ku Klux Klan
outfit, angry at the government's policies towards asylum seekers.
Mr Van said he believed the time was right to make a stand against the
government and its policies.
"We oppose their stance on asylum seekers and we believe they've propagated a
fear campaign, particularly in light of the current economic situation, he said.
"We're against the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts and Australia's support of the
Sri Lankan regime, which, in part, is responsible for the influx of asylum
seekers.
"We don't have a lot of money and we know we'll struggle to get a large number
of votes."
Mr Van said his party believed the Prime Minister had been influenced by the
unions and the mining lobby.
He conceded he was in a unique position given his uncle's relationship with Ms
Gillard.
"It's unique, but I've been working politics into my art for years and with
Kevin as prime minister, our paths were bound to collide," he said.
"We're not close, but we've never had a bad relationship - we're opposites.
However, he did buy my first set of oil paints."
http://www.themail.com.au/news/local/new...72828.aspx
The Mail (local newspaper in Werribee)
BY CAMERON TAIT
30 Jun, 2010 12:00 AM
WHILE his uncle was sensationally dumped by the ALP as prime minister last week,
Van Thanh Rudd plans to challenge his replacement, Julia Gillard, as she stands
for a fifth term as the member for Lalor at this year's federal election.
The twist has added extra spice to a campaign bound to attract national
attention, given Ms Gillard's sudden elevation to the nation's highest office.
A 37-year-old artist and activist originally from Queensland, Mr Van announced
his intention outside Ms Gillard's Werribee office on Friday. He will contest
the seat for the Revolutionary Socialist Party.
The party's website states: "We stand for the transformation of human society,
from its current basis of greed, exploitation, war, oppression and environmental
destruction, to a commonwealth of social ownership, solidarity and human
freedom, living in harmony with our planet's ecosystems."
It advocates the "overthrow of capitalism and its replacement by socialism" and
bases itself on the theories of Karl Marx and the socialist revolutions in
Russia, Vietnam and Cuba.
A Braybrook resident, Mr Van has been embroiled in a number of controversies
over the years, mostly related to his left-wing artworks and an anti-racism
protest on Australia Day this year in which he dressed up in a Ku Klux Klan
outfit, angry at the government's policies towards asylum seekers.
Mr Van said he believed the time was right to make a stand against the
government and its policies.
"We oppose their stance on asylum seekers and we believe they've propagated a
fear campaign, particularly in light of the current economic situation, he said.
"We're against the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts and Australia's support of the
Sri Lankan regime, which, in part, is responsible for the influx of asylum
seekers.
"We don't have a lot of money and we know we'll struggle to get a large number
of votes."
Mr Van said his party believed the Prime Minister had been influenced by the
unions and the mining lobby.
He conceded he was in a unique position given his uncle's relationship with Ms
Gillard.
"It's unique, but I've been working politics into my art for years and with
Kevin as prime minister, our paths were bound to collide," he said.
"We're not close, but we've never had a bad relationship - we're opposites.
However, he did buy my first set of oil paints."
http://www.themail.com.au/news/local/new...72828.aspx
"The philosophers have only interpreted the world, in various ways. The point, however, is to change it." Karl Marx
"He would, wouldn't he?" Mandy Rice-Davies. When asked in court whether she knew that Lord Astor had denied having sex with her.
“I think it would be a good idea” Ghandi, when asked about Western Civilisation.
"He would, wouldn't he?" Mandy Rice-Davies. When asked in court whether she knew that Lord Astor had denied having sex with her.
“I think it would be a good idea” Ghandi, when asked about Western Civilisation.