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?
Thinking about Labor reform
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
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
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 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
Is Labor still the party of initiative? – by Paul Strangio, The Conversation, 5 Feb 2021
Strangio asks: 'Is Labor still the party of initiative in Australian politics ... the past two years seem only to have deepened the party’s uncertainty about its mission. The ALP seems as nonplussed as ever about a finding a formula for speaking simultaneously to workers from the inner cities, … [Read more...] about Is Labor still the party of initiative? – by Paul Strangio, The Conversation, 5 Feb 2021