There’s nothing strange about branch stacking, but what was unusual in rise and fall of Adem Somyurek was the amassing of enormous power by one man, a junior minister and member of Victoria’s upper house. How could this occur? Somyurek and his officers were caught on video forging signatures and … [Read more...] about The rise and rise and fall of Adem Somyurek – by Guy Rundle, Jacobin, 20 June 2020
Members, branches & factions
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
Welcome to Labor Academy SA
Labor Academy SA is about making membership meaningful. This is what LASA say about themselves: Labor Academy is a national initiative designed to add value to the member experience so that you can do more than phone calling, letterboxing and polling day duties. The aim is to develop … [Read more...] about Welcome to Labor Academy SA
VIC ALP members preselection ballots from 1993 onwards?
Members preselection ballots have been infrequent in the Victorian ALP since 1993. We have managed to uncover the nine listed below. Nine is definitely more than three, which is a recently cited number doing the rounds. However, nine is not many. Do you know of any more? Please tell. We have … [Read more...] about VIC ALP members preselection ballots from 1993 onwards?
Two Supreme Court cases challenge Victorian ALP intervention – updated
Two separate Supreme Court cases challenge Victorian ALP intervention 2020: the Victorian MP Marlene Kairouz and a group of trade unions; plus the effects of the cases on federal preselections and possibly on faction futures. Marlene Kairouz' case arose from the audit of the Victorian ALP … [Read more...] about Two Supreme Court cases challenge Victorian ALP intervention – updated
Stop the shadowy preselections: 150 people call for change – 19 July 2021
Stop the shadowy preselections. Democracy dies in darkness, but the light was still burning for the 150 people who attended a vibrant meeting held by Open Labor, the Independents and members of the Melbourne FEA to stop the undemocratic way federal and state shadowy elections are being conducted in … [Read more...] about Stop the shadowy preselections: 150 people call for change – 19 July 2021
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?
Stability Pact sticking points threaten between VIC Labor – by Rob Harris, The Age, 21 May 2021
Victorian Labor peace talks threaten to erupt on Stability Pact sticking points between the Right and Left. 'It's like 19th-century empires dividing up Africa.' The article is edited below, with additional editorial pickings following. The draft cross-factional agreement says: “Recent … [Read more...] about Stability Pact sticking points threaten between VIC Labor – by Rob Harris, The Age, 21 May 2021
The Labor hunting season turns nastier – Guy Rundle, Crikey, 1 July 2021
The Labor hunting season is on, says Guy Rundle at Crikey. Adem Somyurek had his office video bugged (military-grade equipment) and Victorian branch stacking operations were laid bare. Somyurek, a suburban MLC, has denied all wrongdoing. In (heavily rewritten) Rundle says: Somyurek had become … [Read more...] about The Labor hunting season turns nastier – Guy Rundle, Crikey, 1 July 2021
The preselection battle for Hawke – May 2021
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