The Platypus Affiliated Society (PAS), an international political society founded in 2006, recently held its first official conference for its Oceania sections in Australia and New Zealand. This conference was held over three days, from July 11th to 13th. It featured several panels which brought together elements from the Australian and NZ Left to discuss issues such as Bonapartism, Neoliberalism, and the National Question.
Panelists included Amal Samaha (International Bolshevik Tendency NZ), Anthony Furia (RCO), Arthur Dent (C21 Left), and Quentin Findlay (Canterbury Socialist Society). Controversially, Guy Rundle, formerly of Crikey, was also a panelist. Many had expressed to Partisan that the decision to include Guy Rundle was one which alienated other potential panelists. The Spartacist League of Australia briefly attended on July 12th to sit through the panel on the National Question, where member Neil F. quizzed panelists Amal Samaha and Anthony Furia.
A Partisan reporter was able to speak with panelists and audience members on July 12th. One young audience member described Arthur Dent as “a comic relief character”. Panelist Anthony Furia told Partisan that the panel was “excellent… a good time”. CJ (the panel’s moderator) told Partisan that “the panel went fairly well, but it was a bit rocky with big personalities throwing a lot of ideas out”.
The Platypus Affiliated Society has three main chapters in Australasia: Canberra, Melbourne, and Auckland. There are also Platypus members based in Sydney and Wellington, among others. PAS appears to be aiming to expand its reach in Australasia, or at least make itself more well known. PAS is a controversial organisation for its attitude toward the Left, as well as polemics produced by its leading theorist Chris Cutrone.
The Platypus Affiliated Society can be found at platypus1917.org.
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