It's time to stop - Pete Steedman sent us this story below he wrote in 1994. It's called 'Branch stacking - the bad news for Labor and the community'. Stories about the ethnic branch stacking and other moves. Surely it's time to stop – apologies about the poor photo resolution … [Read more...] about Nothing new, but surely it’s time to stop – by Pete Steedman, The Age, 1994
ALP reform news & ideas
Submission to entrench genuine democracy
Chris Curtis sent Open Labor his submission to entrench genuine democracy to the Macklin-Bracks reform enquiry. He writes: The main principle is to entrench genuine democracy throughout the party; that is, putting internal elections, preselections and policy in the hands of genuine members and … [Read more...] about Submission to entrench genuine democracy
Labor People of Colour write to Open Labor
Labor People of Colour are a cross-factional group within the Labor Party, who are committed to supporting, educating, advocating and transforming the way Labor approaches the Australian BIPOC community and its BIPOC members (Ed. note BIPOC is the acronym for black, indigenous and people of … [Read more...] about Labor People of Colour write to Open Labor
Two-stage membership could create an open, accessible and unstackable ALP
Two-stage membership could create create a Labor Party open enough to take in new members quickly and not so open that it can be easily stacked? David Barda has a bold answer to an old problem. The Somyurek branch stacking allegations were sickening to all genuine ALP members. Small-minded people … [Read more...] about Two-stage membership could create an open, accessible and unstackable ALP
Community branches are better than one branch per state electorate
Community branches are better than one branch per state electorate, but the ALP factions seem intent on changing membership to one branch in each state federal electorate; so members must join the sole branch in the state electorate in which they live says Independents' convenor Eric … [Read more...] about Community branches are better than one branch per state electorate
We want a well-run party that values its members
We want a well-run party that values its members. But party members know that party officials are being appointed on the basis of factional allegiance rather than their skills. They know personal advancement has overtaken policy commitment and maintaining a broad support base and membership, and … [Read more...] about We want a well-run party that values its members
A more open & democratic party
The desire for more open & democratic party emerged as a strong theme in the first round of submission to the Victorian ALP Administrators, Jenny Macklin and Steve Bracks, write sGraham Ilhein. A party of progress and success in Government is strengthened by the ideas, ideals and activities … [Read more...] about A more open & democratic party
A party with integrity – Oct 2020
Members want a party with integrity, now and into the future. David Imbre says this was the clear message in the feedback to Victorian ALP Administrators Macklin and Bracks. Party members are angry about what has happened and want to ensure it will not happen again. David Imbre writes: Integrity … [Read more...] about A party with integrity – Oct 2020
Labor’s branch-stacking scandal – an opportunity for reinvention – by James Button, The Guardian, 21 June 2020
James Button writes why Labor’s branch-stacking scandal is an opportunity for reinvention, a watershed moment for us all. Here is an edited version. For full version read Labor’s branch-stacking scandal – an opportunity for reinvention – by James Button, The Guardian, 21 June 2020 [external … [Read more...] about Labor’s branch-stacking scandal – an opportunity for reinvention – by James Button, The Guardian, 21 June 2020
Open Labor focus on the secret ballot
This Open Labor focus on the secret ballot examines a process enshrined in ALP rules, yet factions insist that their delegates hand over or show their voting papers to ensure they follow the factional line. With Victorian Administrators preparing a Victorian branch Labor reform report, Open Labor … [Read more...] about Open Labor focus on the secret ballot