Pro-Palestine Figurehead and Socialist Appears Ready to Enter State Politics

Serial Palestine Action Group organiser Josh Lees looks likely to step into the realm of politics with his name attached to a newly registered New South Wales (NSW) branch of the Socialist Party, or “New South Wales Soc.”

Lees is a consistent presence at pro-Palestine rallies, a member of the Socialist Alternative, and a figurehead of the Lockdown to Zero campaign which pushed for more restrictions during the pandemic.

On Jan. 21, a notice was posted by the NSW Electoral Commission informing of the intention to register “New South Wales Soc” and its abbreviated name, “NSW Soc.”

The application names Eleanor Morley as proposed registered officer, with Lees as proposed deputy registered officer.

Morley is also listed as the party’s proposed secretary.

An Eleanor Morley is listed as a contributor to Socialist Alternative news site, Red Flag, with articles expressing a need for a “socialist political alternative” in the country.

Lees has also penned articles for Red Flag, including one in 2021, where he advocated for non-essential workers to remain at home for longer during the pandemic, and more recently criticised new protest restrictions passed in the wake of the Bondi Beach terrorist mass shooting.

While Lees condemned the act, he also told media he believed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was a “war criminal” and denied the pro-Palestine protest movement had encouraged violence.

He is currently challenging the NSW law, along with the Blak Caucus and Jews Against the Occupation ’48, that temporarily bans protests in Sydney—an attempt by the government to lower social tensions following the Bondi attack that targeted a Jewish celebration and killed 15 people while injuring 40 others.

The application lists the address of a mixed use dwelling in Sydney’s CBD.

Two other political party intention notices were posted on Jan. 21 by the NSW Electoral Commission—a party called “Josh for NSW” and another for a NSW branch of the Australian Citizens Party.

A 14-day period exists where members of the public can object before a party might be approved.

Socialist Party Objectives

The Victorian branch of the Socialists were a registered political party during the 2022 state election, but failed to win any seats and only managed 1.35 percent of first-preference votes.

According to the party, its key objectives are climate measures, scrapping AUKUS and Australia’s ties with Israel, increasing taxes on corporations, and backing unions.

The party also says it would cap MP earnings so no politician could earn more than $92,000 a year.

It also seeks to establish a “reparations tax” on commercial properties to be given to Indigenous people, as well as funding schools to teach Aboriginal languages.

Under its policies for LGBT matters, the Socialists say their objective would be to ensure “inclusive sexuality education” in schools as well as education for teachers on supporting “gender and sexual diversity.”

The party would also remove all current religious exemptions for employers refusing LGBT staff.