Labor faithful, factional foes gather for conference
Dominic Giannini |
INSIDE THE LABOR NATIONAL CONFERENCE
Labor left:
* The left faction champions more progressive policies and greater government intervention in markets to address social inequality.
* Key figures: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek, Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney, Finance Minister Katy Gallagher and Health Minister Mark Butler.
Labor right:
* The right faction is traditionally more economically conservative while still looking to balance social change. Elements of the faction are also more socially conservative despite it still being on the centre-left.
* Key figures: Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, Treasurer Jim Chalmers, Energy Minister Chris Bowen, Trade Minister Don Farrell, Employment Minister Tony Burke, NDIS Minister Bill Shorten and Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus.
Issues:
* AUKUS and nuclear submarines: Labor is facing an internal push to strip any mention of AUKUS from its policy platform, with some members saying the plan to acquire nuclear-powered submarines goes against the party’s traditional anti-nuclear stance.
* Palestine: Some ALP members are pushing for the timely recognition of Palestinian statehood, which is already Labor policy but has no timeline attached.
* Environment: The influential Labor Environment Action Network is pushing to end native logging and move to 100 per cent plantation timber by the next federal election, due by May 2025, while also seeking more ambitious methane reductions from the agriculture sector.
* Stage three tax cuts: Some more progressive rank-and-file members want Labor to abandon or water down its commitment to the cuts, which the government has expressly ruled out.
* National executive vote: A vote will take place to elect the new executive which currently sits at a 10-10 split between the left and right.
Process:
* Any delegate can move a motion and any successful motion becomes binding policy, although it remains up to the parliamentary team to decide when and how it is implemented.
* Delegates are made up of members from around Australia as well as the federal parliamentary team, state and territory leaders and the party’s youth branch.
* There are 402 delegates but the national president and two vice presidents are non-voting delegates.
Rundown:
* National president Wayne Swan will address and open the conference in Brisbane on Thursday before Prime Minister Anthony Albanese gives the foreword.
* Ministers will then lead debates in their respective policy areas over the three days.
* The final day will be used to springboard into Labor’s ‘yes’ campaign for a constitutionally-enshrined Indigenous voice, as well as to finalise party rules.
AAP
