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
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Unions and the ALP – time to stay friends but end the marriage?
The fate of the trade unions and the ALP has been entwined for 130 years, but in the interests of a stronger labour movement and ALP, it may be time to change the relationship, writes trade unionist Max Ogden. Download print copy of Unions and the ALP – time to stay friends but end the marriage? … [Read more...] about Unions and the ALP – time to stay friends but end the marriage?
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
Covid ends the neoliberal era? – by Adem Tooze, The Guardian
The year 2020 exposed the risks and weaknesses of the market-driven global system. It’s hard to avoid the sense that a turning point has been reached. Could it be that Covid ends the neoliberal era? Tooze analyses how the high-level, technocratic decisions of central bankers and finance … [Read more...] about Covid ends the neoliberal era? – by Adem Tooze, The Guardian
Returning from parental leave – how it started
Thanks to Anika Wells MP for this tweet on returning from parental leave. All factions, all parties, all stepping out together. How it started and how its going ... All praise to Sydney Morning Herald photographer Alex Ellinghausen @ellinghausen Centre: Anika Wells (ALP Member for … [Read more...] about Returning from parental leave – how it started
The ALP left props up the right – by Harry Stratton
The ALP left props up the right writes Harry Stratton in Jacobin Magazine 4 Apr 2021. "To challenge the ALP right-wing policy agenda, we first need to democratize the party. The party’s left faction should lead this fight; instead, they’re helping perpetuate a system that keeps left-wing politics … [Read more...] about The ALP left props up the right – by Harry Stratton
Macklin-Bracks preselection reform – the Victorian intervention is not over
ALP National Executive and non-aligned reps talk preselections. James Button and Kath Cozens provide an Open Labor perspective on the meeting. The Victorian intervention is not over. 26 July 2021: The four Victorian non-aligned representatives met two National Executive (NE) representatives to … [Read more...] about Macklin-Bracks preselection reform – the Victorian intervention is not over
Can we be Labor & undemocratic at the same time?
Can we be Labor & undemocratic at the same time? Friends, we are here tonight, all 150 of us, because we care about the Australian Labor Party. Like our forebears, we want the right to vote with a 50% vote in preselections. A speech by Janet McCalman 19 July 2021 an online meeting with 150 … [Read more...] about Can we be Labor & undemocratic at the same time?