Peter Fitzgerald writes: Victorian ALP members have been given a lot to think about lately. There's the pandemic, the climate catastrophe, an outlook of economic depression, and normal ALP operations have been suspended due to a loss of confidence in the integrity of party membership rolls, and the … [Read more...] about The case for recommitting to secret ballots
ALP reform news & ideas
Secret ballots depend on context
Peter Holding writes: Secret ballots may be needed to ensure democracy in certain situations but not others. Everything depends on the context. In some contexts, a secret ballot is actually regarded as anti-democratic. We insist on open voting in Parliament and on Local Councils. We hold … [Read more...] about Secret ballots depend on context
Victorian Labor, progress & integrity – Administrator’s discussion paper – 27 Aug 2020
Administrators Steve Bracks and Jenny Macklin wrote to Victorian branch members today saying: Dear fellow Victorian Labor member, Our Party Platform speaks to our hopes as a Party of progress, and we seek change through the power of parliamentary democracy. We write today to … [Read more...] about Victorian Labor, progress & integrity – Administrator’s discussion paper – 27 Aug 2020
Only good governance and cultural change will save the Party from itself
Stephen Paul writes: If the ALP is to be saved from itself this time, its needs to take a good governance approach rather than the failed rules-based ‘deficit model’ approach. Once again, the Australian Labor Party is focusing on rule changes to save itself from itself. However, rule changes … [Read more...] about Only good governance and cultural change will save the Party from itself
Open Labor’s first submission to the Review of the Victorian ALP
20 July 2020: Open Labor's initial response to Bracks and Macklin's request for input on Victorian Labor reform priorities, rule changes, operational and cultural changes, factions and Party leadership. Q.1 As a matter of principle, what should be the reform priority for the … [Read more...] about Open Labor’s first submission to the Review of the Victorian ALP
Bracks and Macklin back membership by ‘traceable means’
The early actions of party administrators Jenny Macklin and Steve Bracks are promising. They are communicating clearly with members, they have set out an ambitious agenda, and they are taking the first steps to achieve it. Party reformers have long argued that branch-stacking can be reduced by … [Read more...] about Bracks and Macklin back membership by ‘traceable means’
A guide to the branch stackers’ business model and how to stop it
Eric Dearricott has been a member of the Victorian ALP’s Administrative Committee since 2001 (apart from two years). A member of the Independents, and often the only Committee member who does not belong to one of the two main factions, he has worked consistently against branch stacking, and for a … [Read more...] about A guide to the branch stackers’ business model and how to stop it
Why we need to talk about Labor
Janet McCalman #4233 President, North Melbourne Branch writes: We didn’t really lose the last election because of Rupert Murdoch, or Clive Palmer, or the Stop Adani train, or the overfull manifesto, or even the Tax scares. We lost the last election because the electorate does not trust … [Read more...] about Why we need to talk about Labor
Update from the Administrators Jenny Macklin and Steve Bracks – 18 Aug 2020
It is now eight weeks since we were appointed as Administrators of the Victorian Branch of the Australian Labor Party. In the middle of a once in a lifetime public health disaster, we have hit the ground running using the contemporary tools available to us. While we would have obviously … [Read more...] about Update from the Administrators Jenny Macklin and Steve Bracks – 18 Aug 2020
For an open democratic party, not a secret society without soul
Andrew Giles and Susie Byers set out the principles they believe should guide Administrators Jenny Macklin and Steve Bracks and all party members as they work to reform the Victorian ALP. The revelations of branch-stacking and abuse have not been easy for anyone who cares about … [Read more...] about For an open democratic party, not a secret society without soul