Kate SlackThe Players: The Australian Labor Party: A Major Party
June 21st 2010 04:37
Some History
The roots of the Australian Labor Party are deeply grounded in the Australian trade union movement. Trade Unionism was, like almost all of our governmental and social policy at the time transported to Australia by British and Irish convicts, many of whom were sent to Australia for crimes that amounted to offences against the anti-union legislation in operation in England and Ireland at the height of Britain’s convict deportation policy. Naturally, as Australia’s early population was dominated by people who for all intents and purposes could be considered workers; their industrial struggles provided green pastures for unionism to flourish in the new colonies. Before too long, and namely as a result of the maritime and shearers’ strikes of 1890 where it became obvious that industrial action would not be enough to effect change, the unionists realised that in order for them to have a significant impact on reform and to yield influential political power they required parliamentary representation. In 1891, the first branch of the ALP (a group of striking shearers) is said to have conducted its first meeting under a gum tree (the Tree of Knowledge) in Barcaldine, Queensland. Prior to Federation, labour parties, sponsored by the union movement were established in each of the colonies although at the time they existed much like a minor party would today. This is because the free-trade and protectionist parties dominated the political landscape. The Federal Parliamentary Labor Party (the Caucus) conducted their first meeting on 8 May 1901 at Parliament House in Melbourne signifying the beginning of Labor’s involvement in federal politics. In 1904 Chris Watson became Australia’s and the world’s first Labor Prime Minister. His minority government lasted four months. Six years later in 1910, the Australian Labor Party set another record by being elected Australia’s, and the world’s first Labor government held by a majority and Australia’s first Senate majority.
Some Ideology
In terms of where the Australian Labor Party sits on the political spectrum, most commentators would agree that they are slightly left of centre. Ideologically Australian Labor prescribes to the tenants of: Democratic Socialism; Social Democracy; Social Liberalism; and, Third Way. The most notable distinction within the party is between the Socialist Left who believe in interventionist economic policy and more socially progressive ideals, while Labor Unity (on the right) are more economically liberal and focus less on social issues. The party consists of individual members and affiliated Trade Unions who together make policy decisions, elect governing bodies and determine candidates. The Unions that are most closely aligned with the right (Labor Unity) are: The Australian Workers Union; the National Union of Workers; and the, Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees’ Association. Those that side with the left are: the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union; the Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union; the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union; the Australian Services Union; and the Maritime Union of Australia. Though of course, depending on the issue, these distinctions are rarely clear.
Operation
As mentioned above, the Labor party consists of individual members and affiliated trade unions. They elect delegates to the state or territory conferences which decide policy, elect executives, a state or territory president and a state or territory secretary. A National Conference is held every three years consisting of delegates from each state or territory branch. The process that occurs at the state or territory conference is followed at the National Conference where a National executive is elected and the policy platform is decided upon. The leader of the Labor party is elected by the Labor members of the National Parliament (the Caucus).
To follow?
In terms of general ideological policy, the Australian Labor Party believes in:
Social Democracy:
o Representative democracy;
o Civil liberties;
o Mixed economy;
o Nationalization;
o Welfare state;
o Fair Trade;
o Environmental Protection;
o Rhine Capitalism;
o Secularism;
o Social Market Economy;
o Social corporatism
Social Liberalism
o Political freedom
o Democratic capitalism
o Education
o Free trade
o Individualism
o Laissez faire
o Market economy
o Open society
o Popular sovereignty
o Individual rights
o Separation of church and state
New Right
o Free market economy
o A reduction in the size of the welfare state
o Deregulation
o Privatisation
o Lower direct taxation
o Higher indirect taxation
Obviously, there are some inherent conflicts that arise out of this list. That is why on occasion, rifts emerge from within the party and disagreements within the party regarding policy platforms seep into the public domain.
The roots of the Australian Labor Party are deeply grounded in the Australian trade union movement. Trade Unionism was, like almost all of our governmental and social policy at the time transported to Australia by British and Irish convicts, many of whom were sent to Australia for crimes that amounted to offences against the anti-union legislation in operation in England and Ireland at the height of Britain’s convict deportation policy. Naturally, as Australia’s early population was dominated by people who for all intents and purposes could be considered workers; their industrial struggles provided green pastures for unionism to flourish in the new colonies. Before too long, and namely as a result of the maritime and shearers’ strikes of 1890 where it became obvious that industrial action would not be enough to effect change, the unionists realised that in order for them to have a significant impact on reform and to yield influential political power they required parliamentary representation. In 1891, the first branch of the ALP (a group of striking shearers) is said to have conducted its first meeting under a gum tree (the Tree of Knowledge) in Barcaldine, Queensland. Prior to Federation, labour parties, sponsored by the union movement were established in each of the colonies although at the time they existed much like a minor party would today. This is because the free-trade and protectionist parties dominated the political landscape. The Federal Parliamentary Labor Party (the Caucus) conducted their first meeting on 8 May 1901 at Parliament House in Melbourne signifying the beginning of Labor’s involvement in federal politics. In 1904 Chris Watson became Australia’s and the world’s first Labor Prime Minister. His minority government lasted four months. Six years later in 1910, the Australian Labor Party set another record by being elected Australia’s, and the world’s first Labor government held by a majority and Australia’s first Senate majority.
Some Ideology
In terms of where the Australian Labor Party sits on the political spectrum, most commentators would agree that they are slightly left of centre. Ideologically Australian Labor prescribes to the tenants of: Democratic Socialism; Social Democracy; Social Liberalism; and, Third Way. The most notable distinction within the party is between the Socialist Left who believe in interventionist economic policy and more socially progressive ideals, while Labor Unity (on the right) are more economically liberal and focus less on social issues. The party consists of individual members and affiliated Trade Unions who together make policy decisions, elect governing bodies and determine candidates. The Unions that are most closely aligned with the right (Labor Unity) are: The Australian Workers Union; the National Union of Workers; and the, Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees’ Association. Those that side with the left are: the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union; the Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union; the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union; the Australian Services Union; and the Maritime Union of Australia. Though of course, depending on the issue, these distinctions are rarely clear.
Operation
As mentioned above, the Labor party consists of individual members and affiliated trade unions. They elect delegates to the state or territory conferences which decide policy, elect executives, a state or territory president and a state or territory secretary. A National Conference is held every three years consisting of delegates from each state or territory branch. The process that occurs at the state or territory conference is followed at the National Conference where a National executive is elected and the policy platform is decided upon. The leader of the Labor party is elected by the Labor members of the National Parliament (the Caucus).
To follow?
In terms of general ideological policy, the Australian Labor Party believes in:
Social Democracy:
o Representative democracy;
o Civil liberties;
o Mixed economy;
o Nationalization;
o Welfare state;
o Fair Trade;
o Environmental Protection;
o Rhine Capitalism;
o Secularism;
o Social Market Economy;
o Social corporatism
Social Liberalism
o Political freedom
o Democratic capitalism
o Education
o Free trade
o Individualism
o Laissez faire
o Market economy
o Open society
o Popular sovereignty
o Individual rights
o Separation of church and state
New Right
o Free market economy
o A reduction in the size of the welfare state
o Deregulation
o Privatisation
o Lower direct taxation
o Higher indirect taxation
Obviously, there are some inherent conflicts that arise out of this list. That is why on occasion, rifts emerge from within the party and disagreements within the party regarding policy platforms seep into the public domain.
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