Dear fellow Labor member: We know we are writing at an extraordinary time when many of us are living under stress, and we witness the extraordinary work of our health and essential workers. It is just another reminder of how important it is to elect and support Labor Governments in their work. We … [Read more...] about Update from Bracks & Macklin – 18 Sept 2020
Mark Butler – Labor democracy: why Party reform matters
22 January 2018 – VIC Fabian Society speech. Read Mark Butler's swansong speech as ALP President 22 January 2018. It's a great, and a saddening, introduction to Party factions. Mark's speech is available here. … [Read more...] about Mark Butler – Labor democracy: why Party reform matters
The eight (8) previous ALP reform reports …
1964–2014: “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 … [Read more...] about The eight (8) previous ALP reform reports …
1. Andrew Giles – can the Labor Party be reformed?
Andrew Giles MP, panelist at the on-line Open Labor / Per Capita panel event answered: The answer to the question is yes - but, respectfully, I don’t believe this is the right question. We have to address the question of how to reform Labor, on the understanding that this is an existential … [Read more...] about 1. Andrew Giles – can the Labor Party be reformed?
1994 – Nothing new, but surely it’s time to stop
Pete Steedman sent us this story he wrote from The Age 1993: 'Branch stacking - the bad news for Labor and the Community'. Peter was mid-1960s editor uni newspapers Farrago and Lot's Wife, editor Labor Star 1977-84, and 1983 House of Reps member for Casey. … [Read more...] about 1994 – Nothing new, but surely it’s time to stop
Labor People of Colour write to Open Labor
To whom it may concern, We, a group of Labor People of Colour, write to Open Labor regarding the makeup of the panelists on your forum. We are a cross-factional group of people of colour within the Labor Party, who are committed to supporting, educating, advocating and fundamentally transforming … [Read more...] about Labor People of Colour write to Open Labor
Two-stage membership could create an open, accessible and unstackable ALP
How do you create a Labor Party that is open enough to take in new members quickly and not so open that it can be easily stacked? David Barda has a bold answer to an old problem. The Somyurek branch stacking allegations were sickening to all genuine ALP members. Small-minded people engaged in … [Read more...] about Two-stage membership could create an open, accessible and unstackable ALP
Victorian Labor, progress & integrity – Administrator’s discussion paper – 27 Aug 2020
Administrators Steve Bracks and Jenny Macklin wrote to Victorian branch members today saying: Dear fellow Victorian Labor member, Our Party Platform speaks to our hopes as a Party of progress, and we seek change through the power of parliamentary democracy. We can secure that … [Read more...] about Victorian Labor, progress & integrity – Administrator’s discussion paper – 27 Aug 2020
PM must sack Michael Sukkar over Liberal party branch-stacking allegations, Labor says
24 August 2020 The Guardian Katherine Murphy writes that Liberal party powerbroker Marcus Bastiaan resigns after being accused of organising staff to recruit members. "Albanese said when branch-stacking allegations against Labor figures, including the Victorian government minister Adem … [Read more...] about PM must sack Michael Sukkar over Liberal party branch-stacking allegations, Labor says
Podcast interview: Did Adem Somyurek just open the door to Labor Party reform? David Feeney and Eric Locke
26 June 2020 Dunn Street founder Stephen Donnelly was joined on the line by two former Victorian Labor State Secretaries, David Feeney and Erik Locke following the 60 Minutes/The Age report into systemic branch stacking inside the Victorian branch of the Australian… Listen on Stitcher or … [Read more...] about Podcast interview: Did Adem Somyurek just open the door to Labor Party reform? David Feeney and Eric Locke