Denis Doherty

Dennis Doherty

Denis Doherty, was from 2009 to 2013, National Organiser of the Communist Party of Australia and national coordinator of the Anti Bases Campaign Coalition.

Background

With family and some other support Doherty qualified as a teacher for both primary and secondary schools, mainly in the Catholic system. His university degree was achieved through correspondence while working as a full-time teacher.

He was radicalised by experiences in Innisfail (Queensland) where Aborigines were harshly treated and sugar workers often treated with contempt. Many of the parents annoyed by his growing critical attitudes pointed to his red hair and said “you ought to be a communist!”.

A few years later, involvement in “Right to March” campaigns against Joh Bjelke Petersen in Brisbane and then a time with the Alice Spring Peace Group marked a real turning point in his life that led him to the Communist Party of Australia. He joined the CPA in 1989.

Denis Doherty has lived in the inner west suburb of Glebe for over 20 years. He is well known as the former chair of the Glebe Youth Centre and former chair of the Glebe Neighbourhood Centre and for his work in campaigns including prison reform and against overdevelopment.

Doherty is best known for his long commitment to peace and to ridding the world of nuclear weapons. He was a founding member of the Australian Anti-Bases Campaign Coalition and has been the national coordinator of the campaign for over 20 years. He was selected to receive a community peace prize by the Sydney Peace Foundation at the University of Sydney.

Communist Parties’ meeting in Sydney

The brutal and illegal aggression by Israel first on Gaza, then on the West Bank, and now in Lebanon has brought together fraternal parties affected by the war being waged on the peoples of the Middle East. Party members Narauki Cann, Tony Oldfield, Peter Sarelas, and Denis Doherty met with Alan Hijazi, and Jawad Radi (Lebanese Communist Party) Kassim Abood (Iraqi Communist Party) on 12 October, 2024.

The meeting started with a presentation from each group. The CPA paid tribute to the great work done in Lebanon and Iraq by Communist Party members and the great heroism of those parties in facing tyranny and religious animosity in their respective countries.

The Lebanese Comrades stressed that at the basis of the conflict is US imperialism and its desire to control the economy of the area.

The Iraqi Comrade reminded us that the expansionist ideas of Israel would take it up to the borders of Iraq and from there it could influence events to favour the hegemonic intentions of the US.

Both parties stressed that there has been an urgent worldwide call not to submit to the aggression of the US and not to leave the people of Palestine and Lebanon alone to face their enemies.

In responding to the calls of Comrades from the Middle East the meeting decided as a first step to organise a political public meeting to be held in a suburb where a large percentage of Lebanese Australians live.

Palestine rally

'Spend on climate and housing not war'

April 23, 2024, NSW Greens Senator David Shoebridge spoke alongside anti-war activists on April 23 against the global rise in military spending.

“The world faces problems that cannot be resolved by military action,” said Peter Murphy from the Sydney Anti-AUKUS-Coalition (SAAC).

“While the government loudly asserts that Australia is sovereign, in fact US marines, navy and airforce personnel are today able to launch attacks on China from Australian soil without the knowledge of the Australian government,” said Denis Doherty from the Anti-Bases Campaign Coalition (ABCC).

Defence minister Richard Marles said on April 17 that military spending will rise to 2.4% of gross domestic product, up from the current 1.9%.

Pip Hinman, representing SAAC and ABCC, said Labor is spending more on the military than it does on education.

“Excessive spending on ‘defence’ is a product of a bipartisan approach to the US military presence in South East Asia.

“A government which truly had our interests at heart would allocate our taxes to help ease the cost-of-living crisis and fix our broken public health, housing affordability and welfare.

She said the AUKUS nuclear submarine deal alone contributes to this, with the allocation of $53 billion in the next budget and $100 billion over 2033–34.

Hinman said a US war with China could rapidly become nuclear and would be a “war no one can win”.

Shoebridge said Australia spends more on weapons than Brazil, Canada and Spain.

“Australia spends twice as much per capita as Russia. Moreover, this country spends more than double on military expenditure as Taiwan!”

Australia is “directly involved in Israel’s war on the people of Gaza through Pine Gap”, he said. The spy base is an “important agent” for the targeting of weapons systems of US allies, like Israel.

“The thought that Pine Gap would be used to better target weapons being splayed against Palestinians, particularly in Gaza, is horrifying.

“Given the level of secrecy from both the [Anthony] Albanese government and the Joe Biden administration, it’s a credible and realistic threat that’s happening in the centre of Australia.”

Sydney Anti-AUKUS Coalition

The Australia-United States military alliance and the complexities of building an anti-war movement were discussed at the Sydney Anti-AUKUS Coalition conference at the Redfern Town Hall on October 22 2023.

Veteran anti-bases activist Liz Hulme from Stop AUKUS WA outlined the history of US military installations, including bases at Geraldton, Stirling and North West Cape and discussed the campaign against proposed port sites for US and British nuclear powered and armed submarines.

Denis Doherty from the Australian Anti-Bases Campaign Coalition said Australia is host to more than 50 US bases of various kinds. They are being used to store weapons, for spying and surveillance; as aircraft landing grounds and bombing ranges.

Bevan Ramsden, from the Independent and Peaceful Australia Network, spoke about the campaign to terminate the Force Posture Agreement (FPA). It provides for “unimpeded access” for US ships and planes to Australian ports and other facilities.

Jason Bilney from the Barngarla Determination Aboriginal Corporation outlined the fight by South Australian Native Title holders to prevent a high-level nuclear waste dump being sited on their land. “We'll continue the fight until we win, as we have before,” he said.

Jim Green, Friends of the Earth anti-nuclear spokesperson, said: “No country in the world currently has a repository for high-level nuclear waste. Now there is a renewed push by the federal Labor government to establish an international high-level nuclear waste dump on Aboriginal land.

Denis Golding, a veteran anti-Vietnam War activist and former NSW Builders Labourers Federation militant, spoke about building up the anti-Vietnam War movement. It began by the initially uniting small groups and culminated in the mass Moratorium marches of 1970-1971, which forced the government to withdraw Australian troops in the next few years.

Long-time peace activist Peter Murphy spoke about the complexities of building the movement against the Iraq war in the early 2000s, as well as the campaign against the invasion and occupation of Afghanistan in the same period.

Luke Hocking, representing Wollongong Against War and Nukes, said the local community opposes Port Kembla becoming a nuclear submarine base. That was demonstrated when thousands marched against the base proposal on May Day.

Natasha Watt, from the NSW Teachers Federation, said the Illawarra Teachers Association was working closely with WAWAN. “The question of peace is linked to education, health and other social services in society. We are currently campaigning against the introduction of militarism into the school curriculum,” she said.

Palestinian activist Amal Naser reflected on the huge pro-Palestine rallies in Sydney and worldwide and criticised Labor’s policy to support Israel’s genocide in Gaza.

“There are close links between AUKUS and Australia’s position on Palestine and Israel,” Naser said. “They are both connected to Australia’s total support for US imperialist war policy against China and its drive to maintain world-wide domination, including the Middle East and Asia.

“We need to keep building the anti-war movement in all areas. Union solidarity is a vital part of this campaign,” Naser said.

Feiyi Zhang from SAAC said: “AUKUS strengthens the role of nuclear subs, drones, missiles, naval and air forces and land war preparations in Australia, in close collaboration with the US”. She also reinforced the link between the war on Gaza and the anti-AUKUS movement.

SAAC is working with WAWAN and other groups to build a new peace movement against AUKUS, Zhang said and she urged people to become active.

“No AUKUS! No war!"

Anti-war protesters marked the second anniversary of the secretive Australia-United Kingdom-United States (AUKUS) pact at Sydney Town Hall on September 15, 2023chanting “No AUKUS! No war! This is what we’re fighting for!”

The rally, which attracted around 100 people, was organised by the Sydney Anti-AUKUS Coalition (SAAC). The new “Raucous Anti-AUKUS chorus” sang anti-war songs before speakers addressed the problems and solutions.

Miro Sandev from the New South Wales Teachers Federation noted the move by teacher unions across the country to boycott an AUKUS research project in the country’s schools.

Lil Beto from Wage Peace condemned Labor’s plan to expand Australia’s defence industry — aiming to make Australia one of the top 10 weapons exporters in the world. The huge investment required will take vital resources away from key social needs.

NSW Greens Senator David Shoebridge condemned the secrecy behind the AUKUS deal, which has not changed under Labor. “Australia has now become an advance base for US forces, aimed against China.”

Nick Deane from Marrickville Peace Group said everyone was shocked when the US invaded Iraq in 2003 and now that the US is seriously considering war against China, “we must unite to campaign against this disaster”.

Denis Doherty from the Anti-Bases Campaign Coalition said Australia has become a vassal of US power as “US bases are now everywhere in the country”.

Pip Hinman from the Sydney Stop the War Coalition said the lesson from Iraq is that one huge protest did not stop that war. But she said there are plenty of allies in the struggle against a new war on China, including Pacific Island nations, unions, First Nations peoples and many community groups.

Shamih Badra connection

Shamikh Badra with Hannah Middleton, Denis Doherty and Peter Boyle.

Waihopai visit

Hannah Middleton, Denis Doherty, Blenheim, 2003

People from all around New Zealand converged on the super-secret Waihopai satellite interception spy base, near Blenheim, on the weekend of January 24-26, 2003, for an anti-war protest. The New Zealand Anti-Bases Campaign, which organized the protest, points out that as the world stands on the brink of being sucked into an aggressive American-led war on Iraq, Waihopai is New Zealand's most important contribution to the American war machine.

The Waihopai protest was joined by representatives from the Australian Anti-Bases Campaign Coalition, Denis Doherty and Hannah Middleton. In October 2002 the AABCC organized a major protest at the huge US spy base at Pine Gap (near Alice Springs), which is serviced through the US military base at Christchurch Airport.

CPA leadership

In February 2009 Communist Party of Australia elected a new leadership after the death of long time General Secretary Peter Symon. The Party for the first time elected a woman to the position of Party General Secretary, well known political activist and former Party President Dr. Hannah Middleton.

Dr. Middleton was elected unanimously to the Party’s highest leadership position. Guatemalan born West Australian trade unionist Vinnie Molina was elected as the CPA’s new National President. For the first time in two decades the Party elected a National Organiser Denis Doherty.

“This election signals a process of renewal and reinvigoration for the Communist Party”, said Central Committee Chairperson Warren Smith.

CPA

Denis Doherty was in 2005 a member of the Communist Party of Australia. Attended the 10th conference of the Communist Party of Australia.

Denis Doherty of the Port Jackson Branch in Sydney made a number of points about his work in the peace movement, including the need for the CPA to increase the impact of its message about the $60 million a day cost of the Australian military. Denis was one of a group of about 70 activists who journeyed to Rockhampton in June to confront the huge joint Australian-US military exercise called "Talisman Sabre".

Denis pointed to the huge drain the $60 million a day makes on the well being of the community.

"In the Australian education system there are 3.2 million students, 250,000 teachers and 90,000 schools. Yet the Australian military attracts more funding than Education. The military have less than 10,000 members, but their equipment is extremely and exorbitantly expensive."

Communist remembrance

The Guardian, October 19 2011

On October 22, 2011, Lindy Nolan, Drew Cottle and the Communist Party of Australia's Denis Doherty, addressed an event at the CPA's office in Surry Hills, Sydney, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the defeat of the referendum to ban the Communist Party of Australia.

The event was jointly sponsored by the Communist Party of Australia, and the Communist Party of Australia (Marxist-Leninist)

"Hands off Glebe"

Denis Doherty, Michelle Fraser,Jamie Parker

A well attended public meeting held in Glebe (Sydney) on February 1, 2012, heard details of the state government’s plans to privatise much of public housing land at Cowper Street in this inner city suburb. The meeting was unanimous that the government has to reinstate public housing on the site.

Denis Doherty addressing the public meeting in Glebe regarding the Cowper Street development.

Speakers included local Green MP Jamie Parker and Michelle Fraser and Denis Doherty from the local residents group Hands off Glebe.

The Communist Party of Australia Port Jackson Branch has been involved with Hands off Glebe since the 2010 federal election and has been campaigning with them to save and extend public housing in Glebe.

Hiroshima Day

Sydney Hiroshima Day March & Rally 2012 Sunday, 5 August 2012, Hyde Park North, Sydney

Speakers;

• Colonel Valery Yarynich – retired Russian Colonel
• MP Jamie Parker – NSW Greens uranium spokesperson
• Rita Mallia – NSW President, Construction Forestry Mining Energy Union
• Denis Doherty – Anti Bases Campaign
• Chair: Radhika Raju (CFMEU) &
• Miko Nakamura (311 campaign for nuclear free)

Council bid

In 2012 the local council areas of Auburn and the City of Sydney featured Communist Party of Australia members running as candidates. In Auburn, running for the Battler was Tony Oldfield, a well-known local activist and party member. In the City of Sydney was Denis Doherty running as Mayoral and Councillor Candidate with the Housing Action Team.

Denis Doherty is part of a "historic shift" in left politics in Sydney where the team of which he is the lead member is composed of Socialist Alliance members and other community members. The Housing Action Team has Ray Jackson from the Indigenous community, Raul Bassi an Argentinian migrant and now activist, Jay Fletcher journalist with Green Left Weekly and Andrew Chuter a maths teacher from Erskinville.

Letter 'NO Star Wars'

FOREIGN MINISTER ALEXANDER DOWNER

THE HON. PETER REITH, MINISTER FOR DEFENCE

PRIME MINISTER JOHN HOWARD THE HON. KIM BEAZLEY LAURIE BRERETON

RE: US/AUSTRALIAN MINISTERIALS JULY 31 2001

Dear Alexander Downer and Peter Reith

The undersigned groups are writing to you with respect to the forthcoming US/Australian ministerial meetings which we understand are sceduled on 30 July in Canberra.

We applaud the concern you have expressed to the US government over the CTBT. It is vital that Australia continue to press the US to ratify the CTBT.

We are deeply concerned that the Australian government may either at these meetings or during the meeting between President Bush and Prime Minister John Howard, move Australia toward deeper cooperation with the US on the controversial, and in our view unwise and destabilizing, missile defence program.

We note that the right-wing US Heritage Foundation has already suggested Australian involvement in missile defence, and our concerns on that matter have already been conveyed in writing to Mr. Howard.

We would remind you of the letter from 610 organizations and parliamentarians worldwide (including 19 Australian parliamentarians), which shows clearly that opposition to missile defence is widespread throughout the NGO community and the wider public realm.

We would also remind you that the Australian Senate has twice, on June 29 2000 and on March 1 2001, passed resolutions asking that Australia not support missile defence in any way. We believe these resolutions reflect the view of the broader Australian community with respect to missile defence-related issues.

The opposition emerging in europe to missile defence, in which major acts of civil disobedience take place at missile defence-related installations, show that these expressions of worldwide and national opposition to missile defence cannot be ignored or set aside.

The government has argued that missile defence is innocuous and that 'it is missiles that hurt people'.

This completely misses the point, which is that the deployment of missile defence, particularly if that involves a unilateral setting aside of the ABM treaty, will re-ignite the global nuclear arms race and set back efforts to eliminate nuclear weapons by decades. The re-commencement of a global nuclear arms race is simply too dangerous to be allowed to happen.

Reductions in nuclear warhead numbers and reductions in alert status, flagged by the Bush administration, are on the other hand welcome and are essential steps toward the total and unequivocal elimination of nuclear weapons. However, the deployment of missile defence may well make those vital steps impossible, and is inconsistent with genuine moves toward the elimination of nuclear weapons.

We strongly urge that, when you meet with the US government at the end of July and when Prime Minister Howard meets with George Bush on September 10th, the Australian government make it clear to President Bush and his administration:

i)That we strongly support their suggested deep cuts to nuclear weapons numbers, and the lowering of alert status of ICBMs.

ii)That Australia will in no way support the missile defence program which undercuts the above goals.

iii)That the joint facilities are not available for any purpose that is not within the current ABM treaty, the NPT, and the CTBT.

Yours Sincerely,

• John Hallam, Friends of the Earth Australia
• Dave Sweeney, Australian Conservation Foundation
• Dr Sue Wareham, President, Medical Association for Prevention of War (Australia) (MAPWA) Canberra, ACT
• Irene Gale AM, Australian Peace Committee SA
• Babs Fuller-Quinn, Australian Peace Committee (APC) Sydney,
• Doreen Borrows, Australian Peace Committee (APC) Central Coast
• Frank Costanzo, Australian Peace Committee (APC) Townsville
• Denis Doherty, Australian Anti-Bases Campaign (AABC)
• Angela Drury, Joan Carey, People for Nuclear Disarmament (PND) NSW,
• Jo Vallentine, People for Nuclear Disarmament (PND) W.A.
• Pauline Mitchell, Campaign for International Cooperation and Disarmament (CICD) Melbourne,
• Kirsten Blair and Mark Wakeham, Environment Centre of the Northern Territory (ECNT) Darwin, NT,
• Dr Helen Caldicott, (founding president Physicians for Social Responsibility - Nobel Peace Prize 1985)
• Lee Rhiannon MLC, Greens, NSW.
• Anthony Albanese MHR, ALP Federal Member for Grayndler, NSW
• Jann McFarlane MHR, ALP Federal Member for Stirling, W.A.
• Tanya Plibersek MHR, ALP Federal Member for Sydney, NSW.
• Senator Vicki Bourne, Australian Democrats Senator for NSW
• Senator Bob Brown, Greens Senator for Tasmania