Labor’s five candidates for National President all strongly endorse substantial reform to make the Labor Party more open and democratic, according to a survey conducted by ALP reform groups.

In answers to questions posed by Local Labor and Open Labor and published on the groups’ websites, the candidates almost universally support a greater say for members in votes for Lower and Upper House candidates, national and state conferences and party presidents.

Candidates also broadly support trials of community preselection ballots and granting members of affiliated unions automatic ALP membership and voting rights, in exchange for the end of bloc union votes.

They also favour the introduction of community organisers in all state and territory ALP branches, a code of ethical conduct for party offices and changes to membership registration to prevent fraudulent applications.

ALP members have until June 12 to vote for the president from among five candidates: Mark Butler, Jane Garrett, Tim Hammond, Henry Pinskier and Louise Pratt.

Local Labor National Convenor Stuart Whitman and Open Labor Spokesman Tom Bentley said they were delighted that the candidates had strongly backed the reform agenda proposed by Open Labor and Local Labor.

“Two months from a National Conference that will make vital decisions on party reform, it’s good to see that the next party president will be a champion of giving more power to party members and strengthening connections between Labor branches and their local communities,” Stuart Whitman said.

“Pressure for reform is growing, and it gives Bill Shorten a great opportunity to join the list of leaders who helped to rebuild and renew Labor from opposition,” said Tom Bentley.

Full responses to the survey, including qualifying comments from candidates, are available to download here.

Labor Party reform groups are asking the five candidates for ALP National President to support substantial changes to party rules in order make Labor more open, democratic and responsive to its members.

Local Labor and Open Labor have sent a questionnaire to the candidates – Mark Butler, Jane Garrett, Tim Hammond, Henry Pinskier and Louise Pratt – seeking their views on party reform.

The questionnaire asks candidates for their views on giving Labor members and supporters more say in pre-selections for Parliament, on changes to the relationship between the party and affiliated unions, on secret ballots in party votes and on an ethical charter for Labor MPs and office holders.

Local Labor and Open Labor will publish the questions and responses on their websites during the period of postal voting, which runs from May 11 until June 12.

The new President will chair Labor’s July National Conference, which leader Bill Shorten has promised will be a conference of big ideas and reforms to Labor’s rules and structures.

Local Labor National Convenor, Stuart Whitman, said that implementing the 2010 ALP National Review recommendations to create a more democratic party were vital to strengthening the participation of Labor members and branches in the party.

“A well-run party with members who are engaged and respected by the leadership will give Labor the best chance to get elected and implement policies for a fair and progressive Australia,” Stuart said.

Open Labor spokesman Tom Bentley said the party’s National President can play a critical role in pushing the party to be more open and accountable to its members.

“With an important National Conference just months away, the President has a great opportunity to be a leader in party reform. Let’s elect someone who wants to use it.”

For more information regarding the candidates participating in the ALP national presidential ballot, please visit www.alp.org.au/national_president_ballot