Insights on Anti-Imperialism and Labour in Australia: David Fox at the 2025 CPI Convention

In a powerful display of international solidarity, David Fox, a long-serving Australian union member and boilermaker, took to the stage at the Center for Political Innovation’s 2025 Great Unity National Convention in Chicago, USA, on July 12. As a valued participant of the Great Southern Discussion Club, Fox delivered a speech that highlighted the historical anti-imperialist roots of the Australian labour movement and drew parallels with contemporary struggles facing both nations.

Profile: Who is David Fox?

With over three decades of experience as a union member, David Fox embodies the spirit of the Australian working class. His journey began as an apprentice boilermaker, a trade that instilled in him the crucial values of solidarity and collective action. A quiet achiever with a firm grasp of history, Fox’s commitment to social justice is rooted in his lived experience and the lessons passed down from generations of unionists. He sees the struggles of ordinary people as interconnected across the globe, and believes that true prosperity can only be achieved by challenging imperialist influences that hold nations back.

Comprehensive Summary of Remarks

Fox's address was a historical tour de force, beginning with his personal background as a union member and the importance of sticking together. He then provided vivid historical examples of the Australian union movement's anti-imperialist efforts, showcasing their role in shaping the nation’s history. He reminded the audience of the labour movement’s leadership against conscription in World War I, the refusal of dockworkers to load Dutch ships in support of Indonesian independence, and their defiance in not loading pig iron for Japan before World War II. Fox also highlighted how union-led work stoppages were instrumental in compelling Australia to withdraw from the Vietnam War.

Transitioning to current affairs, Fox noted the striking similarities between the challenges facing Australia and the United States, including the high cost of living and a looming housing crisis. He pointed the finger squarely at imperialism, which he argued was holding back the country's economic and social progress. He was particularly critical of the AUKUS security pact, condemning it as a “catastrophe” that binds Australia to US foreign policy and, in his view, makes the country a potential nuclear target.

In a poignant moment, Fox presented a historical Eureka Flag, explaining its origins in the 1850s gold miners' rebellion for fair governance. He mentioned that the flag symbolises the Australian people's enduring fight for their own future and independence. He concluded by stressing the critical need for international solidarity between labour and communist movements, declaring that the struggles of the Australian and American working classes are one and the same. The speech concluded with a gesture of goodwill, as Fox gifted the Eureka Flag to the host, Caleb Maupin, who in return presented Fox with a flag featuring the timber rattler snake, a symbol of American revolutionary defiance.

Notable Quotes

1. Australian Union Movement: “The most important thing is we weren't going to achieve anything by ourselves, but we always had to stick together one way or the other.” [01:53]

2. “Imperialism, it's been holding us back for a very long time, and I've seen it myself. The social decay over the last 40 years.” [07:11]

3. AUKUS: “It's a catastrophe and we don't need it. Actually, our former Prime minister Paul Keating finally I agree with on the AUKUS issue, and it was actually a relief to hear someone senior politician come out and actually spoke against it.” [08:27]

4. The Eureka Flag: “And to me, for this flag, it represents our struggle. That's our flag.” [20:16]

5. “The political scene, it really became a joke for a while. I counted up to about 16 Trotskyist organisations, 3 communist parties, several anarchist groupings, and what were they achieving?” [21:48]

Speech FAQs:

Question: What is the significance of the Eureka Flag that David Fox discussed?

Answer: The Eureka Flag represents Australia’s struggle for independence. It originated from the Eureka Stockade rebellion in the 1850s, a revolt by gold miners against government taxes and police brutality.

Question: Why did David Fox criticise the AUKUS security pact?

Answer: Fox believes the AUKUS pact is a catastrophe for Australia because it ties the country to U.S. foreign policy, turning it into a potential nuclear target, among other downsides.

Question: What did David Fox suggest was the solution to the struggles of the working class?

Answer: He emphasised the need for international solidarity between labour and communist movements, stating that the struggles of the Australian and American working classes are fundamentally the same.