The May 2021 preselection battle for Hawke raged – at stake a lifetime Federal Parliament seat with implications for both federal ALP leadership and Victorian factional power. Hawke is a newly created seat covering Sunbury, Melton, Bacchus Marsh and Ballan, with a safe projected ALP margin of about … [Read more...] about The preselection battle for Hawke – May 2021
Learning about Labor
Why I cannot support Michael Daley for the Labor leadership in NSW – by Osmond Chiu, SMH, 31 May 2021
Osmond Chiu, Per Capita Research Fellow and ALP member writes about Labor leadership in NSW "Labor must connect with an increasingly diverse electorate" [Read more - external link] Subscribe to Osmond Chiu's email blog Agitate, Educate, Opine Related reading Labor People of Colour write … [Read more...] about Why I cannot support Michael Daley for the Labor leadership in NSW – by Osmond Chiu, SMH, 31 May 2021
Without total change Labour will die – by Tony Blair, New Statesman 14 May 2021
Tony Blair writes that: "The challenge facing Britain’s Labour and Liberal Democrat parties cannot be overstated. Political parties have no divine right to exist and progressive parties of the centre and centre left are facing marginalisation, even extinction, across the Western world. Without total … [Read more...] about Without total change Labour will die – by Tony Blair, New Statesman 14 May 2021
Australian democracy is fading fast – by Bruce Haigh, Pearls & Irritations 9 June 2021
Australian democracy is fading fast, with little care on the part of the Coalition and mainstream media or realisation on the part of Labor. Bruce Haigh's article is edited below. Howard set the framework for an intolerant and racist Australia which endures to this day. He put in place what might … [Read more...] about Australian democracy is fading fast – by Bruce Haigh, Pearls & Irritations 9 June 2021
Scottish & English elections review – John McTernan & Stephen Donnelly podcast Socially Democratic 14 May 2021
Listen to this Scottish & English elections review, a one hour, podcast full of ideas about the way forward for international social democracy and independence movements. [Listen external link] Program notes from this excellent podcast series read: Dunn Street founder Stephen Donnelly was … [Read more...] about Scottish & English elections review – John McTernan & Stephen Donnelly podcast Socially Democratic 14 May 2021
Democrats should worry about British Labour’s collapse – by John Judis Talking Points Memo 8 May 2021
Democrats should worry about British Labour's terrible showing in elections last week. It has raised once again the urgent questions on the state and future of not only the ALP but of the centre left itself - see for example this good US commentary by John Judis of Talking Points memo. [Read … [Read more...] about Democrats should worry about British Labour’s collapse – by John Judis Talking Points Memo 8 May 2021
Albanese demands party fast-tracks preselection – by Sumeyya Ilanbey, The Age 3 May 2021
Anthony Albanese demands the party’s top decision-making body fast-tracks preselection for federal seats... Meanwhile, Labor’s Socialist Left and some elements of the Right have reached a so-called “stability deal” in the fallout of the branch stacking investigation. [Read external link] … [Read more...] about Albanese demands party fast-tracks preselection – by Sumeyya Ilanbey, The Age 3 May 2021
What is the point of Labor? by Noel Turnbull, Pearls & Irritations 17 Feb 2021
What is the Point of Labor? Noel Turnbull reviews Barry Jones’ new book What Is To Be Done, and provides some answers, citing Jones' policy list: [External link to article] Barry Jones' policy list Renovate the Constitution.Have an Australian head of state.Adopt a Bill of Rights.Create an … [Read more...] about What is the point of Labor? by Noel Turnbull, Pearls & Irritations 17 Feb 2021
What are Labors factions & who’s who – by James Massola SMH 14 Feb 2021
What are Labors 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 - may be behind pay wall] Related reading Locking out the Left: the emergence of national factions in Labor – … [Read more...] about What are Labors factions & who’s who – by James Massola SMH 14 Feb 2021
Don Watson in conversation about America, speechwriting, and modern politics – Radio National podcast, 10 Feb 2021
Don Watson in conversation about America, speech writing and modern politics on ABC Radio National - podcast Historian Don Watson left academe to write satire for comedians such as Max Gilles. He has written many books, as well as Prime Ministerial speeches (including Paul Keating's Redfern … [Read more...] about Don Watson in conversation about America, speechwriting, and modern politics – Radio National podcast, 10 Feb 2021