Democracy dies in darkness, but the light was still burning for the 150 people who attended a vibrant meeting held by Open Labor, the Independents and members of the Melbourne FEA 19 July to stop shadowy preselections and the undemocratic way federal and state shadowy they are being conducted in … [Read more...] about Stop the shadowy preselections: vibrant meeting of 150 people calls for change
Open Labor and the Independents zoom for a pre-National Conference discussion 16 March
The ALP is holding its National Conference on March 30 and 31. Open Labor and the Independents are combined in a public meeting via Zoom Tuesday, 16 March. Open Labor National Conference delegate James Button, Independents delegate Eric Dearricott and and proxy delegate Linda Condon … [Read more...] about Open Labor and the Independents zoom for a pre-National Conference discussion 16 March
Why hard times for our party might give us hope
These are hard times for our party – but maybe hopeful times, too. Let’s first talk about the difficult times. We have lost seven out of nine federal elections, including one last year we absolutely should have won. Our share of the national primary vote in 2019 was 33% - that's 10% lower than … [Read more...] about Why hard times for our party might give us hope
The 8 or 9 previous ALP reform reports 1964 – 2020
“The individual party membership is appalling. Our membership in relation to our vote is less than one per cent!...One reason is that the party does little to encourage people to join. Too many branches meet in shabby, ill-lit and depressing surroundings. Too much time is wasted on routine matters. … [Read more...] about The 8 or 9 previous ALP reform reports 1964 – 2020
Labor’s branch-stacking scandal – an opportunity for reinvention – by James Button, The Guardian, 21 June 2020
James Button, author and Open Labor convenor, writes why this is a watershed moment for us all. [External link] … [Read more...] about Labor’s branch-stacking scandal – an opportunity for reinvention – by James Button, The Guardian, 21 June 2020
Report on the 2018 ALP National Conference – by James Button
1 Feb 2019: Last December, James Button traveled to the 2018 ALP National Conference in Adelaide as one of four non-aligned delegates at the conference. In this report, he lays out his observations and comments on how Open Labor and the non-aligned movement can approach future … [Read more...] about Report on the 2018 ALP National Conference – by James Button