On 2 February, Steve Bracks and Jenny Macklin handed over administration of the Victorian Labor Party to the Interim Governance Committee. Open Labor & independents seek representation on this committee.
Open Labor thanks Jenny and Steve for their important work, we welcome party monitor John Thwaites, and we congratulate the Interim Governance Committee on their appointment. They have a critical task, and we look forward to engaging with them. However, we have substantial concerns about the way the committee was appointed.
The committee comprises Susie Byers, Linda White (Socialist Left); Ben Davis, Michael Donovan (Labor Unity); and Lloyd Williams (Industrial Left). Its first act was to endorse Victorian Labor rule changes that support the Macklin-Bracks Report’s 37 recommendations.
On 7 December 2020, Open Labor wrote to ALP National Secretary Paul Erickson asking the National Executive to consider a non-factional member for the Interim Governance Committee amid concerns ordinary members were being left out of the reform process. A follow-up letter on 23 December included 107 members’ signatures. We also sent it to those National Executive members with a public email address. We have received no reply.
On 18 January, Paul forwarded our letter to the Interim Governance Committee via Acting State Secretary Chris Ford. On 27 January 2021, Open Labor followed up with Chris but received no response.
We hope the Macklin-Bracks Report signals a shift in transparent practice. But we need to call it out when practices fall short: the 107 signatories – and, by extension, all ordinary members – have been ignored. That’s not OK, and we will continue to advocate for a more transparent and democratic Labor Party.
OL seeks independents representation update
Open Labor has received a reply from Chris Ford 26 February 2021. He noted our arguments for including a non-factional person on the Interim Governance Committee but expressed faith in the skills of its current members to steer Victoria’s reform process. We welcome the comments and will respond shortly.
The Administrators’ Final Report to the National Executive of the Australian Labor Party – by Jenny Macklin & Steve Bracks, Nov 2020
Approved Australian Labor Party Victorian Branch Rules as at 1 Feb 2021
The Macklin-Bracks reforms to Victorian Labor explained – by Eric Dearricott , Open Labor, 2 Feb 2021
Final update to the membership on VIC labor reform – by Administrators Jenny Macklin and Steve Bracks, 2 Feb 2021
Macklin-Bracks: members shut out of reform process 107 sign Open Labor letter to ALP – Open Labor, 7 Dec 2020
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