"Australia's Political Cult" - Socialist Alternative

Socialist Alternative1 is an organization that few have heard of, but by one public whistleblower it's been described as "Australia's Political Cult". In this special coverage, we will discuss the far-reaching impacts of an organization that has been accused of manipulative, predatory and virtue-signaling practices on university students across the nation; allegations of sexual assault coverups; language control; fund embezzlement; support of pedophilia and much more.

Socialist Alternative (or SAlt) is a self-described "Revolutionist" and Marxist political organization that was established in the 1990s after splitting from the Internationalist Socialist Organization (ISO) by prominent individuals Phil Griffiths, Mick Armstrong and Sandra Bloodworth designed to take direct socialist grassroots action and to create change through other organizations. SAlt has connections to the environmental movement and has been the instigator of the "Students for Palestine" movement across the nation since 2009. SAlt merged with the RSP (Revolutionary Socialist Party) in 2013 and since 2018 teamed up with Socialist Alliance (a grouping of trade unions and socialists) to form the Victorian Socialists Party.

With influence in many progressive lobbyists in Australia, the group has been called out by whistleblower "Rakey" and has received backlash from university students across the nation. It has been accused of being a top-down authoritarian organization with all decisions decided by the executive in "leadership meetings", where individuals with differing opinions are told to "keep quiet"6.

According to former members, SAlt engages in entryism (infiltration) of political parties such as Labor and The Greens to subvert and influence economic and social policy. It actively seeks members of these parties to destabilize them and boost their own ambitions. Although Victorian Socialists is a de-facto independent organization from SAlt, it derives its policy directly from them. They also have a foothold in the NUS7 (National Union of Students) at 20% of the vote, while for comparison Young Labor left has 20-26%. in recent history, NUS SAlt delegates were described as deplorable and reprehensible after the last NUS NatCon 20233.

In addition, SAlt has been a major organizer of Pro-Palestinian protests, running their own proxy network front "Students for Palestine". Socialist Alternative has been accused of using networks such as SFP to coerce members to join, and have used the opportunity to spread their newspaper "Red Flag". Whistleblower "Rakey" deeply cares about the Gazan situation but from a past meeting in SAlt, overheard executives calling the humanitarian crisis "a blessing for attracting more members." Instagram users @fauxialist_alternative and @profagandist have called out SAlt's attempts to rebrand to "Left Action Free Palestine" as a capitalisation of the conflict in the Middle East.

The organization has also faced greater scrutiny regarding fund embezzlement from their membership and annual conference revenue. according to "Rakey" the organization has an estimated 600 members, which is primarily supported by Pro-Palestinians, Environmentalists and Socialists who had been coerced to join the organization and pay the "recommended weekly contributions". As such, it is estimated that the organization generates $750k-$1m annually from membership alone. Without access to internal data it's difficult to determine the exact figures but with provided membership information from whistleblowers and obtaining their "recommended payments card" it is near certain the organization generates six-figure revenue annually.

Former member Rakey claims on membership | Source: Rakey/Instagram, 2024

SAlt operates under several ABNs including 55 265 605 110 (Red Flag Press Inc), 90 068 453 383 (Social Research Institute), 87 898 200 242 (The Socialist Group), which all have connected payment accounts for sales, and membership fees.

Former member Rakey holding a SAlt membership fee card | Source: Rakey/Instagram, 2024

In an investigation of the organization's financials, it's main banking account called "The Socialist Group" is based in Collingwood, VIC and actively receives revenue from sub-branches in the region. The whistleblowers claim the revenue received from membership, their newspaper "Red Flag", merch and the annual Marxist Conference is not reflected in funding for grassroots projects, and has accused the organization of being a Ponzi scheme by embezzling funds and stealing from the members.

While former members have called the organization a pump-and-dump scheme, there is much uncertainty regarding the financial operations of Socialist Alternative, and if this scandal is true, there is no clear evidence suggesting who the beneficiaries would be. The main organization is not registered as a non-for-profit, charity or the normal classification under a political party. This suggests the motives of Socialist Alternative is to generate revenue and profit.

Sexual Assault and Pedophilia Allegations

SAlt has been known for sexual misconduct and the mishandling of complaints by the higher executive. One individual claims there was a deliberate coverup within the organization to protect the perpetrator and the organization's integrity. during the 2000s Socialist Alternative published an article9 supporting a discussion for the removal of age-of-consent laws, claiming the current laws to be "sexual oppression" towards young people. their article (which has since been removed), goes into great detail about youth sexual intimacy that "children may enjoy".

Former members from Melbourne, Monash, Adelaide and Sydney have also stated their concerns about sexual assault within the organization. In a direct eyewitness case from Rakey, a member was sexually abused by their ex-boyfriend (another member) and Socialist Alternative failed to take any immediate action. After the victim threatened police action the executive asked the perpetrator to leave "quietly". The victim was then isolated by the senior members and left a few weeks later.

Many students are concerned about the lack of action and transparency, while some call for formal apologies and reparations many are calling for SAlt to shut down and get out of universities.

Left-Wing Pedophile ring, profiteering and a Ponzi scheme?

Below is a list of some of the key members of Socialist Alternative, most of which have a large say in the operations of the organization. After researching information about their members, most fall into the occupation of university staff/professors, historians, lawyers and social scientists...as well as journalists for their own Red Flag newspaper which according to former members and uni students is forcibly sold at rallies.

In regards to the pedophilia claims, there are direct links from the article "Children and Sex" written by Sandra Bloodworth. University students claim this organization has components of a pedophile ring (or at the least the group supporting the advocacy of such practices), primarily from a single article posted in 2007 which supports their claim, as well as the drastic age gap from management to regular members which is observable.

28/10/2024 (8:30am): Thought Digest Media is attempting to contact Sandra Bloodworth and whistleblowers for comments, ...to be updated...

Overall, it is clear there have been many allegations and claims from around the political spectrum that threaten the credibility and integrity of this organization which has sizable influence over progressive politics in Australia. While it is certain from their operations they have contributed in some amount to violent protests in Australia, it remains uncertain if the allegations of pedophilia, sexual assault and fraud will be brought before the courts or police, due to alleged successful coverups and only anecdotal evidence supporting the claims.

If you would like to submit your own experiences or opinions regarding Socialist Alternative, please email eicthoughtdigest@gmail.com for submissions.

#socialistalternative #politices #salt #socialist #auspol #corruption #politicalscandal #breakingnews #aus #australia #victoria #socialismaustralia

Disclaimer - A majority of the information from this story comes from anecdotal evidence, articles, and anonymous statements making it difficult to definitively prove the allegations made by respondents. Thought Digest Media does not endorse any statements provided here or the ideals of Socialist Alternative or their affiliate organisations. All evidence provided is from both public and anonymous individuals. Due to fear of apprehension and abuse from socialist members, many respondents have requested to remain anonymous.

References:

1: “Socialist Alternative (Australia).” Wikipedia, 20 Apr. 2024, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socialist_Alternative_(Australia).

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2: The. “The Relationship between Socialist Organising, High-Control Organisations and First Steps to Recovery & Autonomy.” Google Docs, 2019, docs.google.com/document/d/1L8EFM4XRMSxH0Lpn_Zwtc91x41kjUWksdxguhPvEm3s/edit?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaYTgl_VlpEcQPiw3oL89shWrr4kgXuam45tLWS2748_WKL5YcUy2KjUd1o_aem_Ye4dpyWuw1raBfz5--4Tag&tab=t.0. Accessed 25 Oct. 2024.

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3: A compilation of Socialist Alternative’s reprehensible behaviour at NUS NatCon 2023. “A Compilation of Socialist Alternative’s Reprehensible Behaviour at NUS NatCon 2023.” Google Docs, 2023, docs.google.com/document/d/1-HeZNcopD83WB3qFipocCLWXSs9UovX9-Ucd1hVrEbg/edit?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaZ0hnqCUCa8J-CINbhjUHroYtnxBBDCSBWkP2dZdc_eBL5b3Wr5H2dJDvo_aem_O5xj7Ob4GQ81SME0duSyRg&tab=t.0. Accessed 26 Oct. 2024.

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4: Students against Socialist Alternative. “Protect Students from Socialist Alternative’s Abusive Practices.” Change.org, 24 Aug. 2024, www.change.org/p/protect-students-from-socialist-alternative-s-abusive-practices?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaYH5x31lkogIo2qynbxPpzcX3Ca6tGYeyn8hRroiJ-IJmRFlUz8t1GRggY_aem_jn6Ovx16b4x9VCaLjdQqgQ. Accessed 26 Oct. 2024.

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5: Salt, Stories of. “Stories of Salt.” Stories of Salt, 2024, infosec.press/storiesofsalt/. Accessed 27 Oct. 2024.

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6: Magazine, On Dit. “Socialist Alternative Raises Red Flag; Ex Members Expose All.” Medium, 17 Nov. 2020, onditmagazine.medium.com/socialist-alternative-raises-red-flag-ex-members-expose-all-3aa81e79eac3. Accessed 27 Oct. 2024.

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7: “Who’s Who in the Stupol Zoo? NatCon ’22: Explained.” Unimelb.edu.au, 2020, umsu.unimelb.edu.au/news/article/7797/Whos-who-in-the-stupol-zoo-NatCon-22-Explained/. Accessed 27 Oct. 2024.

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8: “Why the Left Sucks: An Inquiry into Campus’s Most Hated Political Group.” Farragomagazine.com, 2016, farragomagazine.com/news/article/farrago/Why-the-Left-Sucks-An-Inquiry-into-Campuss-Most-Hated-Political-Group/. Accessed 27 Oct. 2024.

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9: Administrator. “Children and Sex - Socialist Alternative.” Archive.org, 2024, web.archive.org/web/20070903234401/www.sa.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=565&Itemid=106. Accessed 25 Oct. 2024.

10: Zylstra, Tione. “Left Action Plagued with Allegations of Abusive Behaviour.” Glass, 23 Oct. 2024, www.qutglass.com/left-action-plagued-with-allegations-of-abusive-behaviour/. Accessed 27 Oct. 2024.

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