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: These important Victorian Labor State … [Read more...] about Victorian Labor State Conference rules changes
Learning about Labor
A More Competitive Labor Party
The good and the bad about ALP factions: creating a more competitive Labor Party, where NOT being in a faction is as valid a choice as joining a faction. A speech by Andrew Leigh MP ACT Federal Member at the Per Capita John Cain luncheon, 19 July 2023. Per Capita's recording of John Cain … [Read more...] about A More Competitive Labor Party
Vale Stuart Macintyre – a history warrior for a better Australia
Stuart Macintyre - a history warrior who worked for a better Australia. He has gone. To those whose lives touched his, an Australian history community without him seems hugely empty. Three obituaries: Janet McCalman from The Conversation and by Brian Aarons & Tim Rowse from Search … [Read more...] about Vale Stuart Macintyre – a history warrior for a better Australia
Organised factions must be outlawed
Dennis Glover writes that "organised factions must be outlawed "in his submission to the Macklin-Bracks Review. He writes: "The ALP is no longer a party; it is a web of factional power." My 38 years of experience working at the highest levels of the party lead me to conclude that the detailed … [Read more...] about Organised factions must be outlawed
IBAC enquiry into branch stacking practices & actions arising
The following material on the Operation Watts IBAC enquiry into allegations of corrupt conduct involving Victorian public officers related to Victorian ALP branch stacking is taken from the Age and the Guardian coverage and the IBAC website. "Significant cultural change within the party" is … [Read more...] about IBAC enquiry into branch stacking practices & actions arising
Non-aligned Victorian Labor politicians poster 1970–2018
Some non-aligned Victorian Labor politicians. A poster history by Janet McCalman & friends, starting with election of Barry Jones in 1972 and moving on to John Kennedy 2018 as the most recently elected Independent. During the 1970s and 1980s, organised independents in Victoria were able to … [Read more...] about Non-aligned Victorian Labor politicians poster 1970–2018
The Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House (MoAD)
The Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House "is a living museum of social and political history, located in a nationally listed heritage building in Parkes, Canberra." Visit it in person and online. They write: "The Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House helps … [Read more...] about The Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House (MoAD)
Easy lies and influence – the face of corruption in Australian politics
Fiona McLeod writes on the face of corruption in Australian politics "We are currently witnessing widespread loss of trust in government. Not just in the rapid slide in the popularity of the federal government and the personal standing of the Prime Minister, but the growing mistrust of initiatives … [Read more...] about Easy lies and influence – the face of corruption in Australian politics
Barry Jones on our democratic crisis
There is a democratic crisis in Australia, and neither of the major parties have any vision beyond the next election. where is the courage, principle & accountability? Only an active citizenry can prevent us sliding towards authoritarian or populist democracy, writes Barry Jones. Read below … [Read more...] about Barry Jones on our democratic crisis
Our democracy decaying from within – by John Menadue, Pearls & Irritations
Our democracy is decaying from within. We need a summit of community leaders to help chart democratic renewal. This is an edited version of Our democracy is decaying from within by John Menadue, Pearls & Irritations, 16 Sep 2021. Bob Hawke’s 1983 post election economic summit promoted … [Read more...] about Our democracy decaying from within – by John Menadue, Pearls & Irritations