Important Victorian Labor State Conference rules changes affecting local Branch operations – State Office is yet to advise Branch Executives of those changes.
Changes around members starting their 24 month qualification period at Branch meetings:
- The number of Branch Executive members required to sign off on having witnessed the photo ID of members seeking to start their voting qualification period at a Branch meeting has changed from only the Secretary to at least 2 Exec members.
- The time allowed after the meeting for the branch Secretary to send State Office the attendance list and the photo id verification form has been increased from 1 hour to 2 hours.
- The number of members per branch meeting who can qualify to start accruing internal voting rights has been reduced from 20 to 10.
- People who have already applied or who apply electronically for membership on the day of a branch meeting can have their photo ID verified by the Executive at the meeting of a Branch they are eligible to join regardless of whether their application has been approved centrally or not.
These important Victorian Labor State Conference rules changes affecting local Branch operations are good steps forward but branches need to be told of them so that they are implemented.
Electronic attendance at Branch Meeting in State seats of area greater than 1350 sq km now possible for some
A member of a branch in a big country State seat who lives outside the postcode of where the meeting is being held may attend a meeting of the branch by electronic means such as Zoom and be counted as part of its quorum.
Branch Executives now able to have access to the residential addresses of their members
Branch Execs now have the right to request the addresses of their members. (Branches in State seats of area greater than 1350 Sq Km will need this information)
Coming soon: Independent National Conference delegates seeking your feedback on draft National Platform
Back in April I, Eric Dearricott, Janet McCalman and Hamdi Ali were elected to the positions of Victorian National Conference delegates along with Kimberly Wheeler who was elected as a proxy delegate. The National Conference will be held in Brisbane from August 17 to 19.
Very soon we will be conducting a forum open to all members where we will be seeking feedback on what amendments to the platform you would like to see lodged. Details of the forum will be sent from this address.
Although most members of the Labor Party are not in a faction, they dominate the party more than ever before. Factions provide stability, yet risk curtailing debate and reducing the scope for regular members to become involved. For Australia’s oldest and greatest political party to thrive, it is important to consider the role that factions play today, and how they will evolve in the future.
Non-aligned Federal MP Andrew Leigh will address this important issue on July 19, 2023 at the John Cain luncheon hosted by Per Capita.
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