On Saturday, 8 February 2025, members of Geelong Anarchist Communists
(GAC) and curious locals gathered under the shelter of Warrnambool's
Civic Green. Posters adorning the coastal towns' streets promoted an
Introduction to Anarchism workshop. These were the only signs of radical
politics in Warrnambool, the words anarchism and communism enough to
trigger an overblown reaction from the City Council, which abruptly
cancelled the event with less than a day's notice-an attack on both free
speech and political organisation.
Weeks before the event, GAC booked the Archie Graham Centre, a
council-owned community space that hosts various social services and
room hire. However, on Friday 7th February, the day before the workshop,
The Warrnambool Standard published an article titled "Did not disclose:
Council cancels booking for anarchist communist workshop." This article
appeared online at almost the same time GAC was notified of the
cancellation. The newspaper had already contacted the council for
comment, and the council confirmed the event had been cancelled-
suggesting the decision had been made before any communication with the
organisers.
Council justified its actions by claiming that "the booking was made by
a Warrnambool resident who did not disclose that the room hire was for
an anarchist communist workshop." Furthermore, they argued that "anyone
making a booking at the Archie must disclose relevant details of the
proposed use so that a considered decision can be made on whether the
use is appropriate." The article then listed GAC's statement of
principles, including its commitments to democratic organisation,
feminism, Indigenous self-determination, environmental protection, and
anti-capitalism-principles that hardly justify exclusion from a public
venue. Ironically, Warrnambool City Council lists its organisational
values as 'accountability, collaboration, respect and progressiveness'.
Despite Council's claims, the GAC member who made the booking-a
Warrnambool local-did disclose the event's purpose when required. They
explained to staff that it was a public lecture on socialism and
followed all necessary procedures. Yet, they were only informed via
phone call late on the Friday evening, leaving no time to appeal and
little opportunity to secure an alternative venue.
In response, GAC has issued a formal complaint to Warrnambool City
Council, demanding a public apology for the cancellation and a
commitment to allow future meetings and events at the Archie Graham
Centre without political discrimination.
Warrnambool City Council already has a precedent for shutting down
left-wing political activity. In 1949, they banned the Communist Party
of Australia from using the Town Hall and other council buildings at the
request of the local Returned Servicemen's League (RSL) sub-branch.
Today's conservative council appears to be following in the footsteps of
a council from the Red Scare era, one of Australia's most politically
reactionary periods.
The Argus, Thursday 26 May 1949, via Trove.
Despite the council's undemocratic and paranoid actions, the
Introduction to Anarchism workshop went ahead at the Civic Green
attracting a number of local attendees. The event's success has sparked
interest in establishing an ongoing socialist reading and discussion
group in Warrnambool.
Following the workshop, one commenter on The Standard's website captured
the public confusion, stating: "Struggling to understand, given the
stated aims of GAC, why it was cancelled. What specifically is the
council's objection?" An attendee of the workshop reflected: "The
conversation at the Civic Green was very interesting, positive, and
constructive. Thank you to the GAC members for making the trip and
putting this on."
The cancellation of GACs introductory workshop is blatant political
discrimination and a violation of the Charter of Human Rights &
Responsibilities Act 2006 (Vic). Sections 14, 15, and 16 explicitly
protect the rights to freedom of thought, expression, and peaceful
assembly. Additionally, Section 38(1) states:
"It is unlawful for a public authority to act in a way that is
incompatible with a human right or, in making a decision, to fail to
give proper consideration to a relevant human right."
Political beliefs and activities are theoretically a protected
characteristic under anti-discrimination laws. Public bodies-including
local councils-'must' uphold Charter rights, ensuring equality when
making decisions and delivering services. The reality is that freedom of
speech only exists in a rhetorical sense, to be dispensed of when it
suits the capitalist state. What has happened in Warrnambool is a
microcosm of Australian society at large. The small-time bureaucrats of
local council might have felt threatened by the prospect of radical
politics developing in a regional city, and believed they could simply
shut the door on anarchist organising.
https://www.anarchistfederation.net/warrnambool-city-council-fails-to-shut-down-anarchist-meeting/
_________________________________________
A - I N F O S N E W S S E R V I C E
By, For, and About Anarchists
Send news reports to A-infos-en mailing list
A-infos-en@ainfos.ca
(GAC) and curious locals gathered under the shelter of Warrnambool's
Civic Green. Posters adorning the coastal towns' streets promoted an
Introduction to Anarchism workshop. These were the only signs of radical
politics in Warrnambool, the words anarchism and communism enough to
trigger an overblown reaction from the City Council, which abruptly
cancelled the event with less than a day's notice-an attack on both free
speech and political organisation.
Weeks before the event, GAC booked the Archie Graham Centre, a
council-owned community space that hosts various social services and
room hire. However, on Friday 7th February, the day before the workshop,
The Warrnambool Standard published an article titled "Did not disclose:
Council cancels booking for anarchist communist workshop." This article
appeared online at almost the same time GAC was notified of the
cancellation. The newspaper had already contacted the council for
comment, and the council confirmed the event had been cancelled-
suggesting the decision had been made before any communication with the
organisers.
Council justified its actions by claiming that "the booking was made by
a Warrnambool resident who did not disclose that the room hire was for
an anarchist communist workshop." Furthermore, they argued that "anyone
making a booking at the Archie must disclose relevant details of the
proposed use so that a considered decision can be made on whether the
use is appropriate." The article then listed GAC's statement of
principles, including its commitments to democratic organisation,
feminism, Indigenous self-determination, environmental protection, and
anti-capitalism-principles that hardly justify exclusion from a public
venue. Ironically, Warrnambool City Council lists its organisational
values as 'accountability, collaboration, respect and progressiveness'.
Despite Council's claims, the GAC member who made the booking-a
Warrnambool local-did disclose the event's purpose when required. They
explained to staff that it was a public lecture on socialism and
followed all necessary procedures. Yet, they were only informed via
phone call late on the Friday evening, leaving no time to appeal and
little opportunity to secure an alternative venue.
In response, GAC has issued a formal complaint to Warrnambool City
Council, demanding a public apology for the cancellation and a
commitment to allow future meetings and events at the Archie Graham
Centre without political discrimination.
Warrnambool City Council already has a precedent for shutting down
left-wing political activity. In 1949, they banned the Communist Party
of Australia from using the Town Hall and other council buildings at the
request of the local Returned Servicemen's League (RSL) sub-branch.
Today's conservative council appears to be following in the footsteps of
a council from the Red Scare era, one of Australia's most politically
reactionary periods.
The Argus, Thursday 26 May 1949, via Trove.
Despite the council's undemocratic and paranoid actions, the
Introduction to Anarchism workshop went ahead at the Civic Green
attracting a number of local attendees. The event's success has sparked
interest in establishing an ongoing socialist reading and discussion
group in Warrnambool.
Following the workshop, one commenter on The Standard's website captured
the public confusion, stating: "Struggling to understand, given the
stated aims of GAC, why it was cancelled. What specifically is the
council's objection?" An attendee of the workshop reflected: "The
conversation at the Civic Green was very interesting, positive, and
constructive. Thank you to the GAC members for making the trip and
putting this on."
The cancellation of GACs introductory workshop is blatant political
discrimination and a violation of the Charter of Human Rights &
Responsibilities Act 2006 (Vic). Sections 14, 15, and 16 explicitly
protect the rights to freedom of thought, expression, and peaceful
assembly. Additionally, Section 38(1) states:
"It is unlawful for a public authority to act in a way that is
incompatible with a human right or, in making a decision, to fail to
give proper consideration to a relevant human right."
Political beliefs and activities are theoretically a protected
characteristic under anti-discrimination laws. Public bodies-including
local councils-'must' uphold Charter rights, ensuring equality when
making decisions and delivering services. The reality is that freedom of
speech only exists in a rhetorical sense, to be dispensed of when it
suits the capitalist state. What has happened in Warrnambool is a
microcosm of Australian society at large. The small-time bureaucrats of
local council might have felt threatened by the prospect of radical
politics developing in a regional city, and believed they could simply
shut the door on anarchist organising.
https://www.anarchistfederation.net/warrnambool-city-council-fails-to-shut-down-anarchist-meeting/
_________________________________________
A - I N F O S N E W S S E R V I C E
By, For, and About Anarchists
Send news reports to A-infos-en mailing list
A-infos-en@ainfos.ca
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