New offices opened

Jules Andrews

The new headquarters of the Communist Party of Australia were 
officially opened at a function held last Saturday, October 23. 
The function followed a public open day held the previous 
Sunday.

The event marked the completion of the move from the old offices 
in Campbell Street to the new building in Buckingham Street, 
Surry Hills.

Guests representing trade unions, solidarity, peace and community 
organisations attended, as well as Central Committee members, 
State and Branch Secretaries, and Guardian staff.

We were also honoured with diplomatic representatives from 
Socialist countries as well as representatives of fraternal 
Communist Parties.

The upstairs function room was packed to overflowing when Party 
General Secretary Peter Symon welcomed the guests.

A ceremonial red ribbon was cut by Kassim Abood, the 
representative of the Iraqi Communist Party. CPA President, 
Hannah Middleton introduced Comrade Kassim as belonging to the 
"Party of Martyrs", in recognition of the lives sacrificed by 
countless communists in their struggle to bring about peace, 
democracy and socialism in Iraq.

Comrade Peter thanked Party members, Guardian readers and 
friends for their financial contributions and physical efforts in 
assisting the relocation. He expressed special thanks to the 
professional and trades people who offered their time and 
services to get the building operational, including the 
electricity, telephones and computer network.

In a grave tone Comrade Peter reminded the guests we were about 
to enter "one of the darkest periods in Australia's history" 
under the fourth Howard Government. With control of the Senate, 
and despite his post-election reassurances, Mr Howard would not 
only push through his nine-year backlog of legislation, but would 
escalate and widen his reactionary agenda.

To counter this offensive and defeat the Howard Government in 
three years time would require the combined effort of all 
progressive organisations and individuals, said Comrade Peter.

He then invited the representatives of various community 
organisations in attendance to make use of Party facilities. "We 
have function rooms, we have facilities, a photocopier, a library 
and a skilled staff. Please use them!"