Strangio asks: 'Is Labor still the party of initiative in Australian politics ... the past two years seem only to have deepened the party’s uncertainty about its mission. The ALP seems as nonplussed as ever about a finding a formula for speaking simultaneously to workers from the inner cities, … [Read more...] about Is Labor still the party of initiative? – by Paul Strangio, The Conversation, 5 Feb 2021
Learning about Labor
Big political parties struggle to compete with grassroots campaigns – by Anne Davies, The Guardian, 13 Dec 2020
In her article 'Party hardly – why Australia's big political parties struggle to compete with grassroots campaigns' Anne Davies looks at the numbers. She says the independent movement is gathering steam as disaffection with traditional politics grows. “Either way, there is an untapped reservoir … [Read more...] about Big political parties struggle to compete with grassroots campaigns – by Anne Davies, The Guardian, 13 Dec 2020
VIC Labor expels hundreds after review into branch-stacking – by Richard Willingham ABC 26 Nov 2020
An initial ABC report on the recommendations arising from the Macklin-Bracks review into branch-stacking of the Victorian ALP notes more than 1,700 Victorian Labor members have been expelled in an attempt to clean up the branch stacking. The audit 13,000 Victorian members is not yet finished. … [Read more...] about VIC Labor expels hundreds after review into branch-stacking – by Richard Willingham ABC 26 Nov 2020
Barry Jones on What Is To Be Done – an interview by Troy Bramston, The Australian 31 Oct 2020
A long interview with Barry Jones warning of retreat from reason and the need for Labor reform follows re-publication and update 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 … [Read more...] about Barry Jones on What Is To Be Done – an interview by Troy Bramston, The Australian 31 Oct 2020
Somyurek’s Labor branch memberships crash – by Paul Sakkal & Nick McKenzie, The Age, 8 Oct 2020
Adem Somyurek goes 'dark' as his moderates Labor branch memberships crash following the federal Labor intervention into the Victorian ALP Branch [External link to article] Springvale branch went from 95 to 5, Casey Central branch from 111 to 41 and Endeavour Hills branch from 112 to … [Read more...] about Somyurek’s Labor branch memberships crash – by Paul Sakkal & Nick McKenzie, The Age, 8 Oct 2020
A review of all the ALP reform reviews – 50 years of soul searching – 1964 on
A review of all the ALP reform reviews since 1964 by David Barda. He writes: "Since 1964 Labor has commissioned eight or nine party reviews, depending on how you count them. I’ve read them all so that you don’t have to." Since writing those words, we now also have the 2020 Bracks-Macklin … [Read more...] about A review of all the ALP reform reviews – 50 years of soul searching – 1964 on
ALP members push reforms – by Noel Turnbull, Pearls & Irritations, 24 Sept 2020
Noel Turnbull writes: The Bracks-Macklin VIC ALP review released its first no-brainer rule change recommendations in July 2020 following the June Federal Executive intervention into Victorian Labor and the relase of a members discussion papermore Meanwhile ALP members push reforms and a variety … [Read more...] about ALP members push reforms – by Noel Turnbull, Pearls & Irritations, 24 Sept 2020
Breaking the branch stackers business model – by Sumeyya Ilanbey, The Age, 10 Sept 2020
Sumeyya Ilanbey outlines the initial VIC Labor moves to break the branch stackers business model by Administrators Macklin and Bracks. Sumeyya was involved in the initial June 29020 reporting of alleged branch stacking by Adem Somyurek. [Read Victorian Labor moves to break the branch stackers … [Read more...] about Breaking the branch stackers business model – by Sumeyya Ilanbey, The Age, 10 Sept 2020
Labor democracy: why ALP reform matters – speech by Mark Butler, 22 Jan 2018
Labor democracy: why ALP reform matters. Mark Butler's swansong speech as ALP President 22 January 2018 delivered to the VIC Fabian Society. Open Labor thinks this is a good and saddening introduction to party factions and organisational inertia. 22 January 2018. Mark Butler's full speech is … [Read more...] about Labor democracy: why ALP reform matters – speech by Mark Butler, 22 Jan 2018
The 8 or 9 previous ALP reform reports 1964–2020
Present or previous ALP reform reports: “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 … [Read more...] about The 8 or 9 previous ALP reform reports 1964–2020