In the months leading up to the 2015 New South Wales election, Sydney Alliance engaged 2,500 leaders from across the state through table talks and regional assemblies. Leaders urged candidates for public office to commit to investing in three areas: transportation, affordable housing and "working start" (apprenticeships and training for disadvantaged young people). Sydney Alliance was so successful, major parties adopted their platform on affordable housing, including crucial minor parties in the NSW upper house. Click on photo for video.

About 350 Sydney Alliance leaders packed an assembly hall in Sutherland-St George to challenge NSW Minister of Transport Gladys Berejiklian, local MPs and candidates for state office. Affordable housing, homelessness and cheaper fares to the airport were key issues at the inaugural "Leading From the South," assembly.

The Minister of Transport was asked to respond to challenges that emerged from conversations with local residents including a timeline for the delivery of train station accessibility upgrades and a reduction of train fares for workers commuting in the airport precinct. Ideas to address the affordability crisis were also presented, including a shared equity housing scheme.

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Leaders long working to secure funding for a lift at the Arncliffe commuter station, celebrated Transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian's announcement that an elevator would be installed soon. Stroller-carrying parents, senior citizens and wheelchair using citizens launched a campaign to make the Sydney public transportation system more accessible. Leaders have identified an additional 761 stations that are not currently wheelchair accessible.

Arncliffe Commuters Get a Lift!, Sydney Alliance

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Korean drums shook the cathedral as construction union Korean Tillers accompanied the gathering of rugby players, Catholic schoolchildren, and 1300 other members of the Sydney Alliance. The purpose? Political theater in three acts. Act 1: Tell stories. Act 2: Lay out agenda. Act 3: Invite Sydney Alliance delegates into campaign for change.

Sydney Alliance Launches Election Agenda, Sydney Alliance

Catholic, Baptist and union leaders of Sydney Alliance challenged the wisdom of retail trading deregulation, given the impact on workers' families. Ten delegates gave personal testimony at a 'Take The Time' event; one related that as a father that works Sundays and 2 of 4 Saturdays per month, with a mother that works Saturdays, the only time to be a family occurs on days when shops don't open.

Facebook Post, Sydney Alliance

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Leaders from the St. George / Sutherland district of the Sydney Alliance, Rockdale neighborhood allies, stepped up their campaign for a railway lift at the Arncliffe Station by standing outside and directly engaging with commuters about their interests. Kate Fitzgerald asserted that not just the elderly would benefit from a lift -- "We have heard countless stories from the Arncliffe community about the disadvantage many... families with prams and people with disabilities or limited mobility endure as they struggle with the three flights of stairs."

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"In recent weeks, unions have found themselves inadvertently under attack. In the ALP's attempt to make itself re-electable federally, unions were said to be "part of the problem". It's true that a few corrupt union leaders have done nothing to help the labour movement in recent years, but working people in this country are in real trouble if the values unions bring to our public sphere are weakened.

In every crisis there is opportunity. Instead of acting defensively, unions can use this shake-up to further strengthen themselves..."

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