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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2013-04-30 Daily Xml
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MAY DAY

The Hon. S.W. KEY (Ashford) (15:33): Today I wish to commemorate the fact that tomorrow is May Day. Most people in this chamber will know that May Day really evolved from the Second International, the original Socialist International—this is 1889 to 1916—and is now the Socialist International. This is an international forum for socialist and labour parties. It was the Second International that declared 1 May as International Workers Day, and 8 March as International Women's Day.

International Workers Day was a commemoration from a general strike in 1886 where workers were striking for an eight-hour working day. Unfortunately, this ended in violence between workers and police in Haymarket in Chicago. Over time May Day has evolved into a real celebration day for workers but also to acknowledge the need for workers' rights and conditions to be observed. Over 80 countries celebrate May Day or Labour Day. In some countries May Day is in fact called Labour Day and is an official holiday, and it is also celebrated unofficially in many other countries.

Sadly, the call for a holiday on May Day in South Australia has not been successful. I have been involved in trying hard for this to happen, but different ministers for labour and industrial relations on both the Liberal and the Labor side have ignored these calls for a holiday. We do however have a traditional day with regard to Labour Day, which is recognised in October each year.

In South Australia I am pleased to say there are a number of activities. As a life member of May Day, I am very proud to see that May Day is still a really active group. We have International Workers' Day—a memorial day. There is a church service, which this year was held on 28 April (last Sunday) at the Pilgrim Uniting Church, where certainly the community gets together to commemorate a memorial day for workers. At the service there was a balloon release signifying unity for workers and their conditions and also in memory of those workers who have been lost due to their work, and then afternoon tea.

Tomorrow night I am hoping that parliament will rise at 6 o'clock because it is the South Australian May Day dinner at the Cypriot Club. The speaker is Jack Mundey who, for a number of us in the trade union movement, has been an inspiration and leader. I am really keen to get there so I hope we do not sit late, Mr Deputy Speaker. I do not know whether you can influence this in any way, but it would be very helpful.

On Saturday we have the traditional May Day march. Interestingly, in 2013, the themes are job security—something that is very real to a number of us in South Australia—wage justice, safe work and also the eight-hour day. There are a number of workers who have not achieved an eight-hour day. Certainly, I know a number of people in this chamber who work more than eight hours a day. That will be going from Hindmarsh Square to the Torrens Parade Ground.

Also, there is a very important ceremony, which I know both the federal and state members for Port Adelaide are very keen on, on 5 May at the Port Adelaide Workers' Memorial. This is in St Vincent Street in Port Adelaide, and this year we are commemorating the late and great comrade, Rex Nunn, who has always been an inspiration to the trade union movement, certainly in my time.

The other important occasion is something that I must say I look forward to every year. I am hoping that I will get my annual supply of Kalamata olives at the Greek workers' association May Day dinner. I did mention at one dinner that I was very keen on olives, and I have been presented with a huge jar of homemade Kalamata olives each year.

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