ALP Committee of Review - Summary of Recommendations

A Modern Role For Members

RECOMMENDATION 1

We recommend that the Special National Conference adopt the following principles for the structure of the National Conference, that:

1. The size of the National Conference be significantly increased;
2. The increased participation of rank and file members be encouraged through the direct election of a component of the National Conference;
3. The number of delegates representing unions at the National Conference shall be consistent with the equal partnership reflected in this Report and in the result shall be consistent with changes to the ratio of delegates that we have recommended for State Conferences;
4. Federal Members of Parliament, their staff, and paid Party officials shall not be eligible for election to the Conference in the direct rank and file component of the Conference. Federal Members shall be entitled to attend the National Conference with the right to move and speak to a relevant motion;
5. In addition, the Federal Leader and Deputy Leader in both of the Federal Houses of Parliament and each of the State and Territory Leaders shall be delegates to the National Conference.

This expanded National Conference would also be enhanced by enlarged State Conferences with greater rank and file involvement. We recommend States implement this principle.

RECOMMENDATION 2

Policy branches be instituted on a trial basis and be linked to an expanded and improved system of Policy Committees.

RECOMMENDATION 3

State branches should develop different forms of branch organisation such as occupation, workplace and employment related branches. Attendance-based preselection voting requirements would not accrue through attendance at these branches.

RECOMMENDATION 4

In metropolitan areas the number of branches be consolidated to provide for larger meetings and better branch organisation.

RECOMMENDATION 5

Online branches should be established to provide broader and more modern avenues for rank and file participation.

RECOMMENDATION 6

State branch rules should be amended to allow for and encourage the establishment of official ALP branches on university and TAFE campuses.

RECOMMENDATION 7

Every State and Territory Administrative Committee or Executive should consider coopting a non-voting member or members of Young Labor.

RECOMMENDATION 8

The Party should encourage the formation of supporters clubs and explore the possibility of the creation of an associate class of membership as a way of broadening involvement in the Party.

RECOMMENDATION 9

That after two years' membership all members be eligible to vote in a preselection for a Federal candidate subject to attendance requirements in their State. We also encourage State branches to relax the attendance requirements for eligibility.

RECOMMENDATION 10

To ensure the integrity of preselection ballots, no member shall receive a vote in any preselection unless that member is correctly enrolled with the Australian Electoral Commission to vote in a Federal election. The member's address for the purposes of preselection shall be their enrolled address.

RECOMMENDATION 11

In order to further strengthen efforts to control branch stacking the following measures be adopted:

• The practice of 'bulk renewals' (where members are renewed en masse by another person) not be permitted under the rules;
• A standard renewal form be developed which requires an individual's signature authorising renewal, and containing a declaration from members who seek the concessional rate;
• A number of members can petition a State Executive or Administrative Committee to investigate stacking in a Federal seat;
• The National Executive should continue to take an active role in monitoring branch stacking and other forms of membership manipulation; and
• Consideration be given to strengthening State rules that limit the number of people who can join a local branch at any one time.

State branches should be asked to implement these measures and report back to the National Executive by 1 July 2003.

RECOMMENDATION 12

Party members are encouraged to be members of a union or to employ union labour. Rules relating to members who are employers should be framed to comply with the law.

RECOMMENDATION 13

That a National Appeals Tribunal be established to ensure the Party provides proper appeal mechanisms for its members. In developing such a body the following requirements must be satisfied:

1. That members of the Tribunal are not involved in the day to day affairs of the Party, are not appointed to the body to represent factional interests and are held in high regard by Party members;
2. That the body has an advisory role, with final decisions to be made by the National Executive;
3. That all avenues of appeal have been exhausted at the State level;
4. That guidelines for the scope of appeals and the granting of leave to hear appeals be developed;
5. That processes for appellants ensure procedural fairness and the efficient running of the Tribunal; and
6. That approaches taken by the Tribunal are consistent with legal definitions of natural justice and procedural fairness.

Members of the Tribunal shall be appointed by a two-thirds majority of the National Executive.

An Enduring Partnership: Labor and the Union Movement

RECOMMENDATION 14

The Australian Labor Advisory Council (ALAC) be revitalised as the key consultative mechanism in the open and constructive relationship needed between the union movement and the Party. Issues such as the adequate resourcing of regular meetings need to be addressed to guarantee the potency of such a body. ALAC should meet at least twice a year, and its role written into the National Rules. ALAC should also be informed of, and participate in, the activities of the new National Policy Committee.

RECOMMENDATION 15

State and Territory Labor advisory councils should also be established where they currently do not exist.

RECOMMENDATION 16

RECOMMENDATION 17

That, in order to reflect the equal partnership between the Party organisation and the union movement, a national standard of 50 percent be applied to union delegates represented at State Conferences.

RECOMMENDATION 18

Union delegations to State Conferences should only comprise members of that particular union.

RECOMMENDATION 19

Union affiliation to the Party should be determined by a snapshot audit of members at periodic intervals, in line with the Queensland Branch affiliation regime that was developed by the National Executive earlier this year. This model would reflect the method adopted by the Australian Electoral Commission when determining union membership.

RECOMMENDATION 20

To further encourage union members to join, the Party should implement significant discounts for affiliated union members. Consideration should also be given to an even lower first year members fee for unionists.

RECOMMENDATION 21

We recommend the Federal ALP consult regularly with representatives of the large and small business sectors, social welfare, and community groups.

Restating and Implementing Our Values

RECOMMENDATION 22

The Party should develop a statement that conveys modern Labor's objectives and aspirations in a form that can be concisely and clearly communicated to our members and the Australian community. This would be complemented by a better policy development process and an enlarged, more democratic National Conference.

RECOMMENDATION 23

That one permanent National Policy Committee be established to oversee the coordination of Platform development in the lead up to the National Conference. This Committee shall replace the existing system of non-permanent National Policy Committees. This new body shall:

• Be responsible for conducting 'rolling reviews' of the ALP Platform with the purpose of preparing a draft Platform for the National Conference;
• Include Party members with considerable experience in policy development;
• Work closely with the convenors of the State Policy Committees;
• In conjunction with State Policy Committees, conduct regular forums in which rank and file participation is encouraged;
• Review and consider all motions passed by State Policy Committees;
• Be resourced by the National Secretariat;
• Consist of a Chair, Deputy Chair and seven other members appointed by the National Executive;
• Have the power to co-opt non-voting members to the Committee with particular expertise when examining specific policy areas; and
• Play an active role in policy debates and forums at an expanded National Conference.

RECOMMENDATION 24

All Party members should be eligible to attend State Policy Committee meetings to contribute specialised knowledge and expertise on Federal policy issues. Final decisions on policy documents should continue to be taken by elected Committee members. Committees should, where feasible, conduct forums and consultations in provincial centres.

RECOMMENDATION 25

Branch correspondence to parliamentary representatives and State branches should be responded to promptly so that branch members know their contribution has been considered.

RECOMMENDATION 26

Motions passed by Party units should be circulated to the relevant Shadow Ministers and State and National Policy Committees for consideration and response.

RECOMMENDATION 27

The Chifley Research Centre should continue to be developed as an active and dynamic body which commissions and undertakes policy research and development in conjunction with Shadow Ministers, policy experts and progressive think tanks from around the world.

Chifley should also coordinate its activities with other think tanks. This could begin with an annual forum of progressive research centres.

Getting the Best Candidates

RECOMMENDATION 28

State and Territory Campaign Directors consult the Leader and the National Campaign Director before the selection of candidates in both target and safe Labor seats to discuss potential quality candidates. This process should begin at least 18 months prior to the next election. It is the responsibility and obligation of Party officers and other influential figures to exert their influence to ensure quality candidates in all seats. The Party must also actively identify and encourage candidates from a wide range of occupations and life experiences.

RECOMMENDATION 29

Given the timetable in National Rule 12 has now passed, a new rule needs to be developed to ensure the level of women in parliament and the Party organisation increases. We recommend that a rule be developed for the October Special National Rules Conference that sets a target of no less than 35 percent, provides a new deadline and an enforcement mechanism, if necessary, by the National Executive.

In order to assist this debate the National Secretariat should provide a nationwide snapshot of Affirmative Action outcomes to that Conference.

RECOMMENDATION 30

The National Rules be altered to require State branches to provide an annual Affirmative Action report to their Executives and to the National Executive on the implementation of Affirmative Action measures at both the organisational and parliamentary levels.

RECOMMENDATION 31

The Party ask branches to nominate either a women's officer or contact person to assist the development of equitable participation for women in the Party. The role of the Labor Women's Network should be made clear in the National Rules.

RECOMMENDATION 32

Senators should be elected by larger, more inclusive State Conferences. The Party should encourage more Senators to base themselves in non-held seats or regional areas. Further, guidelines for coordinating 'duty Senator' campaigns in their duty electorates should be developed.

RECOMMENDATION 33

The National Secretariat, in conjunction with State and Territory Secretaries, should conduct a pilot National Public Office Training Program and report to the National Executive by 1 July 2003. The NPOTP would involve former Labor leaders and ministers and would be responsible for: running training schools for candidates, those who aspire to be candidates, and younger Party members; overseeing mentoring programs; and running skills workshops. Better training and professional development should also be examined for elected members.

RECOMMENDATION 34

In order to ensure that MPs are fulfilling local responsibilities, consideration be given to:

1. Allowing Party members to petition for the reopening of a preselection ballot if the seat is uncontested;
2. Introducing a system of compulsory candidate forums during preselection processes; and
3. Developing a system of reporting to Federal electorate bodies the activities of their Member of Parliament

Maintaining Community Relationships

RECOMMENDATION 35

The Party should encourage branches to be involved in local community activities, and should provide regular updates and suggestions of events in which members might participate.

RECOMMENDATION 36

Local branches and MPs should institute, and participate in, regular joint community consultation processes in their electorates to raise the profile of the ALP and provide feedback on policy and Party initiatives.

RECOMMENDATION 37

The Federal Parliamentary Labor Party is encouraged to continue its strong support for funding and disclosure regimes by developing, in conjunction with the Party organisation, further proposals for reform. This would include the closing down of third party fundraising loopholes.

The Committee recommends State Secretaries meet with Federal Parliamentary Labor Party representatives to develop a reform agenda.

Conclusion

RECOMMENDATION 38

Recommendations contained in this Report requiring changes to the National Rules should be put to the Special National Rules Conference announced by Simon Crean on July 16 2002.