Yeah I hope the Greens do well at expense of the major parties, since I want to see politics move leftward. Just that I don’t like how top-down the party is in structure (regarding how leadership is decided, and how policy is formed), and that they’re not anti-capitalists.

I just don’t fit the niche they are trying to steer the party in

May I ask what direction that is, by the way? I’m not a Socialist Alternative member, and they don’t even represent a majority of the membership, it’s just they’re the most dedicated members and hence show up more than the average member.

From what I can tell, they’re a revolutionary organisation, making the argument that reforming our way to socialism is impossible, and I agree with them on that.

Even if we have socialists (be that from Aus Socialists, the Greens if they go further left, or whoever) representing more than 50% of Parliament, does anyone seriously believe the ruling class is going to let us usher in socialism?

They couped Gough Whitlam for far less.

In the average Australian Socialist (the party, I can’t speak for “socialists” who are part of micro-parties) believes that the only way we can get to socialism is by mass democratic action, that is, building a movement, making the arguments to everyone and winning enough people over that the current system needs to be replaced. And then going and doing that outside of Parliament (i.e. a revolution), so that we can set up more democratic bodies, and decentralise decision making.

Contesting parliamentary elections is just one way we get our message out.

I think Johnny Harris’ (certainly not a socialist) video on democracy actually sums things up fairly well. The ruling class only let us make decisions that not affect the status quo: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=O7LvhSQ5Te4