Obscene Tax Payer Funded Rites for Capitalist Monarch
by Via Peter McGregor Friday February 17, 2006 at 06:22 AM

"Eulogies at today's taxpayer-funded service will be read by the Prime Minister, John Howard, the cricket commentator Richie Benaud and the actor Russell Crowe." (from the SMH 17 Feb 2006) The packer family sent out invitations to a thousand select people. Sydney Activist, Peter McGregor, sent out his own invitation for the event encouraging activists to celebrate:

kerrypacker_tax_cheat.jpg, image/jpeg, 500x714

If Howard, Beasley et al are to give Packer a state memorial service, surely the least we can do is hold our anti-state, anti-capitalist dis-memorial celebration ? Addressing for instance, the growing concentration of media in OZ - and how Howard is thus thanking Packer for his support in winning many elections, etc - & his tax evasion/avoidance; & his role in the commodification of sport. (See also Leunig’s scarey take on the tail-wagging-the-dog in Sat’s SMH - 7 January.)

This poster is an homage to Chips Mackinolty's poster when Menzies died in 1978 - an image of Menzies with the main text "Pig Iron Bob, dead at last" followed by "Obscene imperialist rites for militarist, witch-hunter"; & with "Only the ruling class mourns its dead hero".

Our background words come from letters-to-the-editor in the SMH – the peoples-voice: “No need for an elaborate state memorial service for Kerry, when so many politicians could simply gather, as usual, in one of the great man’s back pockets.”

And the photo ? "Kevin! Gimme your kidney, Kevin!" While the (mainstream) media speculates about whether James’ ex-wife Jodhi Meares, & Kerry’s ‘friend’ Julie Trethowan will attend, consider whether Kerry achieved the kind of successful euthanasia that is not available to ordinary – not-rich – folks ?

If you don’t support government as a welfare state for the rich, come & join us outside Howard’s obscene event on Frid 17 February. Hey, just as Bob Hawke declared a public holiday when Australia won the Americas Cup, the least Howard can do is make his Packer-dead-day the equal of the Queen’s-birth-day, Australia-day, Xmess-day, etc, via his WorkChoices legislation.

add your comments