Review of Barry Jones’ new book What is to be Done. [External link to article] Turnbull cites Jones' policy list which includes: Renovating the Constitution.Having an Australian head of state.Adopting a Bill of Rights.Creating an Independent Commission against Corruption.Practising open … [Read more...] about What’s the point of Labor? by Noel Turnbull, Pearls & Irritations 17 Feb 2021
What are Labor’s factions and who’s who in the Left and Right? – by James Massola, Sydney Morning Herald, 14 Feb 2021
Excellent contemporary update on ALP factions: what is a faction, what do they do and why do they matter so much, and who's who in the federal parliament. [External link to Sydney Morning Herald] View current faction composition of Federal ALP Caucus. [74KB PDF] … [Read more...] about What are Labor’s factions and who’s who in the Left and Right? – by James Massola, Sydney Morning Herald, 14 Feb 2021
Labor MP Marlene Kairouz suing ALP over branch-stacking allegations – by Richard Willingham ABC News 9 Feb 2021
Victorian Labor MP Marlene Kairouz launches a Supreme Court action against the ALP national executive over an investigation into allegations of branch stacking leveled against her. [Read external link ABC News] Updated 19 March 2021 Judge grants Labor MP a delay before branch stacking … [Read more...] about Labor MP Marlene Kairouz suing ALP over branch-stacking allegations – by Richard Willingham ABC News 9 Feb 2021
Is Labor still the party of initiative in Australian politics? – by Paul Strangio The Conversation 5 Feb 2021
[External link to The Conversation] … [Read more...] about Is Labor still the party of initiative in Australian politics? – by Paul Strangio The Conversation 5 Feb 2021
Final Macklin–Bracks members’ update on VIC Labor reform 1 Feb 2021
Dear Victorian Branch members, today marks the end of our period of Administration of the Victorian Branch of the ALP. The past twelve months have been difficult for all of us as Party members, not only as we dealt with the significant challenges our Party faced in response to the shocking … [Read more...] about Final Macklin–Bracks members’ update on VIC Labor reform 1 Feb 2021
Party hardly: why Australia’s big political parties are struggling to compete with grassroots campaigns – by Anne Davies, The Guardian, 13 Dec 2020
The independent movement is gathering steam as disaffection with traditional politics grows. Anne Davies looks at the numbers. “Either way, there is an untapped reservoir of people out there who are interested in politics and practise it every day. They’re just not the sort of folk who join … [Read more...] about Party hardly: why Australia’s big political parties are struggling to compete with grassroots campaigns – by Anne Davies, The Guardian, 13 Dec 2020
Update from Jenny Macklin and Steve Bracks 27 Nov 2020
Administrators Jenny Macklin and Steve Bracks wrote to Victorian ALP Branch members that on 27 November 2020, the ALP National Executive considered their final report, which made 37 recommendations to reform our Party. Macklin and Bracks wrote that: Download full copy of the report here [PDF … [Read more...] about Update from Jenny Macklin and Steve Bracks 27 Nov 2020
Victorian Labor expels hundreds of members after review into branch-stacking allegations – by Richard Willingham ABC 26 Nov 2020
Initial ABC report on the recommendations arising from the Macklin/Bracks review of the Victorian ALP notes more than 1,700 Victorian Labor members have been expelled in an attempt to clean up the branch stacking. Jenny Macklin said the audit of the party's 13,000 Victorian members is not yet … [Read more...] about Victorian Labor expels hundreds of members after review into branch-stacking allegations – by Richard Willingham ABC 26 Nov 2020
Labor luminary Barry Jones warns of the ‘retreat from reason’ By Troy Bramston The Australian 31 Oct 2020
[External link - may be behind paywall] A long interview with Barry Jones following publication of his book What Is To Be Done: Political Engagement and Saving the Planet. Jones says: "Labor lacks boldness and conviction, the capacity to develop detailed policies, and the ability to argue … [Read more...] about Labor luminary Barry Jones warns of the ‘retreat from reason’ By Troy Bramston The Australian 31 Oct 2020
The road to reforming Labor runs through the trade unions
Jennifer Beacham, Daylesford branch member in the Ballarat FEA and a former ALP State Secretary in the early '90s, is currently finishing her PhD on the History of the Ballarat Trades Hall. She sent Open Labor her submission to the Administrators. She writes: Farming has often been discussed in … [Read more...] about The road to reforming Labor runs through the trade unions