The following piece is based on Jacob Andrewartha’s speech to an election launch on September 6. He is standing for Socialist Alliance in the Victorian seat of Pascoe Vale.

At the beginning of Israel’s latest genocide in Gaza in October 2023, alongside many other comrades I helped initiate the first local protest in Coburg for Palestine, which drew more than 1000 people. It helped broaden the movement for Palestine at the local level.

It is inspiring to join people taking action and become more organised against the establishment.

That, after all, is the only way we can counter the rise of One Nation and the neoliberal politics of Labor and the Liberals.

We saw that power with the thousands of high school students, who walked out against Pauline Hanson and One Nation earlier last month.

We also saw it at the massive turn-out against the Israeli Prime Minister Isaac Herzog’s visit to Gadigal Country.

Our collective power is how we push back against capitalist politicians and their billionaire mates.

The rising support for One Nation can be demoralising, just as the Labor Party’s pursuit of right-wing policies.

The only way to combat this is to advance the self-organisation and collective power of working people.

The very conditions that have led to the rise in support for One Nation have to be changed. But that can only change with a fight-back.

The industrial action waged by teachers and education support........

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