High hopes for National Conference

Rank and file members are expecting the upcoming ALP national conference to affirm a platform that properly reflects the values of a modern progressive political party. The 49th national conference is the first face-to-face forum in five years, the first one in Queensland since the 1970s and the first conference held whilst Labor is in government federally since 2011. It is the highest decision-making body within the Party and has an important role in setting its policy platform and future direction.

Annerley Labor has written to several national conference delegates outlining a range of key issues it insists should be included in the party platform. Among them include addressing housing affordability and access, decarbonising the economy and addressing climate change, media law and ownership reform, justice for asylum seekers, achieving a more progressive taxation system, and expanding Medicare.

Annerley Labor has backed a Labor Against War resolution which calls on the Australian government to “withdraw from the AUKUS alliance and cease any program in pursuit of the acquisition of nuclear submarines and any consequent nuclear industry that entails”. The resolution argues that the values of the ALP and trade-union movement dictate that the focus of public funds should be on public education, public health, aged care, housing, social security, the manufacturing industry, and the transition to a renewable energy economy.

The Community and Public Sector Union campaign to re-establish a Commonwealth Employment Service is also strongly supported by Annerley Labor. The campaign supports the end of the current ‘privatised, punitive and primarily for-profit employment services system’ and ‘believes that sourcing employment services through the creation of a modern, fit-for-purpose CES would be beneficial for the government, job seekers, employers and the public’. A resolution to enable this is expected to be debated at conference.

Many rank and file members believe it is imperative that the national platform enshrines the Party’s core values, ensuring that ‘Labor in government continually works towards a fairer, more just and more inclusive society’.

Annerley Labor has urged conference delegates to be brave. There are elements within the Party frightened by debate and, of course, how that debate is framed by the right-wing Murdoch media. The Party needs to be bold, and have these difficult discussions, as a sign we are a mature political party that properly and respectfully considers divergent points of view.

The national conference is in Brisbane from 17 to 19 August. More information is available at laborconference.org.au

Branch calls for rejection of Toondah fiasco

Annerley Labor has called on the Queensland Labor government to honour a unanimous State conference resolution to reject the proposed re-development of the Toondah wetlands. Opponents of the controversial plan have not only cited several critical environmental reasons, but also Australia’s international obligations as well as other key planning and transparency considerations that outline why the development should be clearly rejected.

Federal Environment Minister, Tanya Plibersek MP, is expected to make a final decision on the development before the end of the year. Previously, the Federal Government’s own legal experts provided advice that the Toondah plan would breach Australia’s obligations under the Ramsar Convention.

Although the Queensland Government has the power to revoke or reduce a Priority Development Assessment (such as that covering the Toondah plan), to date, it has chosen not to, despite overwhelming grassroots Party opposition.

A ‘family friendly’ rally to support ongoing protection of the Toondah wetlands is scheduled to be held outside the ALP national conference on Saturday 19 August from 8:00 am.

Members welcome Holland Park Ward candidate

News that Dr Shane Warren (pictured) will be the ALP candidate for the Holland Park Ward in next year’s Brisbane City Council elections has been warmly welcomed by local members. Shane, a social work lecturer at QUT, was announced recently by the Party as the new candidate for the marginal ward held by the LNP.

Shane is a long term southside resident with a proven commitment to community, social justice and working with people from all backgrounds. He has dedicated his career to developing workable solutions to improve access to affordable housing and building community and social inclusion.

Shane has worked as a social worker for more than 25 years working supporting people from many backgrounds including working in Mount Gravat supporting people with disability and their families.

He has taken his experience supporting people to lead major reforms to improve access to housing, reduce homelessness, prevent domestic and family violence and to support young people.

Like many residents in the Holland Park ward, Shane is frustrated by the neglect of the current LNP Brisbane City Council administration towards many of the services needed by people living in Brisbane’s suburbs. Shane brings real world experience and a commitment to work with communities to deliver positive change and better services to the residents of Holland Park.

The Brisbane City Council elections will be held 16 March 2024.

Policy audit issue revived
The Queensland Branch’s Policy Co-ordination Council has been requested to ‘again’ authorise the conduct of a policy audit of the Party’s state platform, to be completed and reported on by July 2024.

Annerley Labor asserts that the platform is an important document as all members of the Party pledge themselves to uphold it and that the Parliamentary Labor Party, when in government, is responsible for its implementation.

Although the Policy Co-ordination Council agreed to undertake a policy audit, it was not carried out due to opposition from the government. Annerley Labor has since expressed its ‘dismay and deep concern’ that the audit was not undertaken.