To all ALP members in NSW: Local Labor in NSW I am writing to you about much needed democratisation and reform of the ALP. After the recent electoral defeats in NSW in 2011, and Federally in 2013, it is time for Labor to become more inclusive, transparent and democratically structured, in order to fight the conservatives and win back government at both State and Federal levels. Local Labor is a group of ALP members dedicated to implementation of the recommendations of the 2010 National Review (aka the Carr, Bracks, Faulkner report). Local Labor, which started in Victoria and has also now been launched in Queensland, held a fringe event at the Chifley Research Centres Progressive Australia conference in Sydney last November. Since that time, considerable momentum for reform and greater democratisation of the ALP has been gathering. A number of prominent ALP figures, including John Faulkner, Geoff Gallup, Steve Bracks, Doug Cameron, Anthony Albanese, Jenny McAllister, Chris Bowen, Mark Latham and of course, Federal Leader Bill Shorten, have added their voices to the call for change. One only needs to see what has happened recently with the Senate ticket in WA to be reminded of the need for reform. Recently, Senator John Faulkner launched the Queensland branch of Local Labor. And now I am pleased to announce that John will also launch Local Labor in NSW. The launch of NSW Local Labor will be held on Monday, 21 July 2014, at the Mitchell Theatre, Sydney Mechanics School of Arts, 280 Pitt Street, Sydney, at 7.30pm. The launch will take place only a few days before the NSW Annual Conference, which is set to debate a number of proposals for democratisation and reform in the ALP. Lets make sure that Conference Delegates hear our message loud and clear, by holding a successful launch of NSW Local Labor. I will be advocating 3 key reforms, as outlined in a motion which is on the Conference agenda. They are: 1. Direct election by membership ballot of Senate and Upper House tickets. 2. Direct election by membership ballot of senior Party Officers, and 3. Confirmation of the 50% membership and 50% Caucus election of Party leaders, both State and Federal. Of course, others can put forward additional reform proposals, but I think these are the 3 which should have top priority and have the best chance of success in the short to medium term. And they are on the Conference agenda. I look forward to seeing as many ALP members as possible on July 21. Please pass this on to your fellow Branch members or your Branch Secretary, who could raise it at your next meeting. I would also be pleased to hear from anyone who is interested and able to assist with the organisation of this event. Yours in party reform, Chris Haviland Convenor, NSW Local Labor
Posted on: Thu, 26 Jun 2014 07:01:33 +0000
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