two people holding a bnner

From red & black notes
February 9, 2025

On Saturday, 8 February 2025, members of Geelong Anarchist Communists (GAC) and curious locals gathered under the shelter of Warrnambool’s Civic Green. Posters adorning the coastal towns’ streets promoted an Introduction to Anarchism workshop. These were the only signs of radical politics in Warrnambool, the words anarchism and communism enough to trigger an overblown reaction from the City Council, which abruptly cancelled the event with less than a day’s notice—an attack on both free speech and political organisation.

Weeks before the event, GAC booked the Archie Graham Centre, a council-owned community space that hosts various social services and room hire. However, on Friday 7th February, the day before the workshop, The Warrnambool Standard published an article titled “Did not disclose: Council cancels booking for anarchist communist workshop.” This article appeared online at almost the same time GAC was notified of the cancellation. The newspaper had already contacted the council for comment, and the council confirmed the event had been cancelled— suggesting the decision had been made before any communication with the organisers.

Council justified its actions by claiming that “the booking was made by a Warrnambool resident who did not disclose that the room hire was for an anarchist communist workshop.” Furthermore, they argued that “anyone making a booking at the Archie must disclose relevant details of the proposed use so that a considered decision can be made on whether the use is appropriate.” The article then listed GAC’s statement of principles, including its commitments to democratic organisation, feminism, Indigenous self-determination, environmental protection, and anti-capitalism—principles that hardly justify exclusion from a public venue. Ironically, Warrnambool City Council lists its organisational values as ‘accountability, collaboration, respect and progressiveness’.

Despite Council’s claims, the GAC member who made the booking—a Warrnambool local—did disclose the event’s purpose when required. They explained to staff that it was a public lecture on socialism and followed all necessary procedures. Yet, they were only informed via phone call late on the Friday evening, leaving no time to appeal and little opportunity to secure an alternative venue.

In response, GAC has issued a formal complaint to Warrnambool City Council, demanding a public apology for the cancellation and a commitment to allow future meetings and events at the Archie Graham Centre without political discrimination.

Warrnambool City Council already has a precedent for shutting down left-wing political activity. In 1949, they banned the Communist Party of Australia from using the Town Hall and other council buildings at the request of the local Returned Servicemen’s League (RSL) sub-branch. Today’s conservative council appears to be following in the footsteps of a council from the Red Scare era, one of Australia’s most politically reactionary periods.

Despite the council’s undemocratic and paranoid actions, the Introduction to Anarchism workshop went ahead at the Civic Green attracting a number of local attendees. The event’s success has sparked interest in establishing an ongoing socialist reading and discussion group in Warrnambool.

Following the workshop, one commenter on The Standard’s website captured the public confusion, stating: “Struggling to understand, given the stated aims of GAC, why it was cancelled. What specifically is the council’s objection?” An attendee of the workshop reflected: “The conversation at the Civic Green was very interesting, positive, and constructive. Thank you to the GAC members for making the trip and putting this on.”

The cancellation of GACs introductory workshop is blatant political discrimination and a violation of the Charter of Human Rights & Responsibilities Act 2006 (Vic). Sections 14, 15, and 16 explicitly protect the rights to freedom of thought, expression, and peaceful assembly. Additionally, Section 38(1) states:

“It is unlawful for a public authority to act in a way that is incompatible with a human right or, in making a decision, to fail to give proper consideration to a relevant human right.”

Political beliefs and activities are theoretically a protected characteristic under anti-discrimination laws. Public bodies—including local councils—’must’ uphold Charter rights, ensuring equality when making decisions and delivering services. The reality is that freedom of speech only exists in a rhetorical sense, to be dispensed of when it suits the capitalist state. What has happened in Warrnambool is a microcosm of Australian society at large. The small-time bureaucrats of local council might have felt threatened by the prospect of radical politics developing in a regional city, and believed they could simply shut the door on anarchist organising. The fact is, rights only exist so far as they can be defended, especially for working class organisations and GAC remains committed to spreading anarchist ideas and fighting for socialism.

While Warrnambool City Council attempted to suppress political discussion, it only highlighted the importance of developing radical politics in regional Australia. The people of Warrnambool deserve better than a council that tries to dictate what political ideas they can and cannot be exposed to. The fight for free speech and political organisation continues.

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