We, the undersigned unionists and members of the community, regard the Budget brought down on 13 May as the most vicious in generations. It is a clear act of class war which must be met by the most determined response from the whole working class.

We therefore call on the ACTU Executive to organise a General Strike against the Coalition Government and its Budget at the earliest practical opportunity. As an injury to one is an injury to all, the objective of the General Strike must be the defeat of each and every attack on the working class contained in the Budget or announced previously. Workers, the sick, pensioners, students, indigenous people, refugees and migrant workers all have to stand together or be defeated separately.

Finally, as the need for action is dire, if you are not prepared to organise a General Strike, we call on you to step aside and make way for people who will organise one.