ALP modernisation, ethnic branch stacking, factionalism and the law

Simon Crean, federal Parliamentary Leader of the Australian Labor Party, achieved the major change that he sought at the October 2002 National Rules Conference. Under that change representation of trade unions and rank and file members of the party will be equal at party conferences, a major reform aimed at modernisation of the party. In the past trade unions elected a majority of conference delegates. Other changes intended to eliminate the practice of ethnic branch stacking are unlikely to stop the practice, and may even encourage it. Increased power in the hands of faction bosses is also a likely consequence. A rule change that is intended to eliminate appeal to a court of law from party decision making bodies is unlikely to succeed. This rule is an attempt to oust the jurisdiction of the courts. It is unlikely to be regarded favourably by the judiciary. In recent years the courts have been increasingly willing to interfere in the operations of registered political parties. Copyright. Monash University and the author/s