Obituaries Australia

Jim Roulston, a prominent figure in the Australian labor movement, died last weekend after a long illness. He was 59.

He was, for 10 years, Victorian president of the Metal Workers Union (AMWSU) and served four years as junior vice-president of the ACTU. He was a leader of the left in the Victorian ALP, and held various positions in the ALP, including federal senior vice-president.

Jim Roulston was a person of high principle and great integrity, and was highly respected. He always put the cause he believed in before any personal consideration. These qualities were widely recognised by people of diverse views and political affiliations in the labor movement.

Jim joined the Communist Party early in his life as a boilermaker. We were in the same party branch in our twenties. He left the Communist Party during the differences with Ted Hill in the early 'sixties and eventually joined the Labor Party where he became a prominent figure in the left. Jim retained warm and cordial relations with the CPA to the end of his active and fruitful life. His loss will be felt by all in the labor movement.