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
Thinking about Labor reform
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
One person one vote – ALP ignores the secret ballot
One person one vote. For the last two hundred years, the single most important institution that has emancipated poor and powerless people around the world is the principle of one person one vote by secret ballot. So why is the secret ballot ignored within the ALP? Labor’s historic mission has … [Read more...] about One person one vote – ALP ignores the secret ballot
The case for recommitting to secret ballots
The case for recommitting to secret ballots, Peter Fitzgerald's response to the Open Labor focus on secret ballots in the 2020 Federal intervention into the Victorian ALP. Victorian ALP members have been given a lot to think about lately. There's the pandemic, the climate catastrophe, an outlook … [Read more...] about The case for recommitting to secret ballots
Secret ballots depend on context
Peter Holding writes in this Open Labor focus on the secret ballot: Secret ballots depend on context. Secret ballots may be needed to ensure democracy in certain situations but not others. In some contexts, a secret ballot is actually regarded as anti-democratic. We insist on open voting in … [Read more...] about Secret ballots depend on context