Labor Party members in the ACT could soon vote to directly elect their parliamentary leader as part of proposed reforms being considered in an upcoming plebiscite.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Ballot papers are being distributed to all the party's ACT members this week after a participation review commissioned by the 2012 branch conference.
The six-person review found significant support for the direct election model among rank-and-file members, including from the incumbent leader and ACT Chief Minister Katy Gallagher. Before the next party conference on June 28, members are also considering direct election of senior office bearers including ACT party president, less restrictive rules on participation in party conferences and pre-selections and reduced eligibility requirements for individuals who have been members for several years.
If adopted, the March 22 plebiscite would also lead to the creation of a new associate membership category for the party.
Associate members could participate in party sub-branches and other bodies without union membership, but would not be entitled to vote in internal ballots. Union membership would be maintained as a requirement for the awarding of full membership in the party.
The move towards direct election of a parliamentary leader follows similar changes at the federal level, first proposed by former prime minister Kevin Rudd in July last year.
Last week, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten forecast the introduction of easier entry rules with the aim of increasing the ALP's 44,000-strong membership by 100,000.
On Friday, NSW Labor leader John Robertson also backed direct election of the parliamentary leader in his state.
He said NSW should implement the federal party's 50/50 model, which gives members of caucus and rank-and-file branch members an equal share of votes for leader.
The ACT participation review acknowledges that a party rule change would be required at the national level and forecasts further guidance from the 2015 National Conference.
Party members can complete postal ballots or vote in person on March 19 or 22, with the results to be considered by the Rules and Boundaries Committee and annual branch conference.
ACT Labor president Senator Kate Lundy said the direct election model suited Labor's push for increased participation. ''We've moved really fast after a very positive experience of electing our federal leader following the [September] federal election,'' she said.
''There is a move for change and reform within the Labor Party.
''As an elected member, I was thrilled and amazed at the positive response we got from our rank-and-file members for the opportunity to participate at a time when the party is rightly despondent - there was a real energy and reinvigoration because of that opportunity.''
The participation review's terms-of-reference considered the operation of policy committees, involvement of young people in the party and links with progressive campaigns and affiliated trade unions.
Its recommendations include better online and social media engagement, training of party members and volunteers in campaign skills and better recruitment of new members.
It found a perceived disconnect between the party in government and the policy and platform of ACT Labor as well as between the community and policy discussion in the ALP.
Women were found to be under-represented and there was low membership and engagement with young women in particular.
''I think Labor sits a tougher test in the eyes of the public about our internal processes, mainly because we are so open about them,'' Senator Lundy said.
''This is a great example of all the groups in the party working very collaboratively to come up with a really positive direction.''
