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?
ALP reform news & ideas
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
Call to stop the shadowy preselections & give members their rightful vote – 9 July 2021
Give members their rightful vote in preselections: Open Labor and the Independents propose an online members' meeting 19 July 2021 to call for the ALP National Executive to stop the Victorian shadowy preselections. Since 1993 the ALP has held 140 preselections for safe or winnable seats in … [Read more...] about Call to stop the shadowy preselections & give members their rightful vote – 9 July 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
Eulogy to Andrew Herington 1952–2021
Andrew Herington was a good friend of Open Labor. We grieve for his loss and send our thoughts and respect to his family. Steve Bracks AC delivered the eulogy to Andrew at St Kilda Town Hall, 30 April 2021. Andrew would want me to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of this place – the Boon … [Read more...] about Eulogy to Andrew Herington 1952–2021
Alice Dawkins stuns the SA ALP with preselection legal threat – by Tom Richardson, InDaily 22 June 2021
Alice Dawkins stuns the SA ALP, with a preselection legal threat, serving it a legal letter claiming the campaign process in the safe Labor federal seat of Spence is unfair and 'anti-democratic' – and threatening Supreme Court action if her concerns are not addressed. Her lawyer, Greg Griffin, … [Read more...] about Alice Dawkins stuns the SA ALP with preselection legal threat – by Tom Richardson, InDaily 22 June 2021
Macklin-Bracks: hand over administration of VIC ALP to Interim Governance Committee – 2 Feb 2021
Macklin-Bracks hand over administration of the Victorian Labor Party to the Interim Governance Committee. Open Labor thanks them for their important work. We welcome Party Monitor John Thwaites, and congratulate the Interim Governance Committee on their appointment. They have a critical task, … [Read more...] about Macklin-Bracks: hand over administration of VIC ALP to Interim Governance Committee – 2 Feb 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
Macklin-Bracks hand over VIC ALP administration, their final ALP reform report, & independent representation queries arising – 2 Feb 2021
Macklin-Bracks hand over VIC ALP administration and the eighth or ninth ALP review since 1964 to the Interim Governance Committee. Open Labor thanks Jenny and Steve for their important work, we welcome party monitor John Thwaites, and we congratulate the Interim Governance Committee on their … [Read more...] about Macklin-Bracks hand over VIC ALP administration, their final ALP reform report, & independent representation queries arising – 2 Feb 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