Palestine, AUKUS set for debate at Labor love-in
Party leaders, members and union officials will gather for the Victorian Labor state conference on Saturday and Sunday in Melbourne, with MPs to rub shoulders with the rank and file.
A raft of grassroots resolutions will be put up for debate and voted on across the two days, although the motions are not binding on the state or federal Labor governments.
These include one calling for immediate action against the "military occupation, siege and genocide" in Palestine.
A similar resolution passed at the state conference in 2024 after the terror attack on Israel by Hamas on October 7, 2023, and the nation's subsequent military campaign in Gaza.
Suggestions within the motion, which is subject to change, include comprehensive sanctions on members of Israel's Netanyahu government and legislating improved military trade transparency and tracking laws.
Labor's official platform backs Palestinian statehood but Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has refused to set a timeline for the policy's implementation, recently declaring it was not imminent.
More draft motions seen by AAP relate to the AUKUS nuclear submarines pact, US President Donald Trump, a public housing towers redevelopment plan and the right to peaceful assembly.
A rally has been called outside the event by a coalition of groups opposing the "genocide in Gaza", forced administration of the embattled CFMEU and incoming state protest laws.
Security has been tightened for the event after pro-Palestine protesters stormed the venue in 2024.
The major security breach led to the conference floor being locked down and delayed speeches by Mr Albanese and Premier Jacinta Allan, who has warned people not to bring their "extremist behaviour" to the 2025 conference.
"If they want to join the Labor party and be part of the debate and discussion inside the room, that's how you make a difference," Ms Allan said.
A Victoria Police spokesperson said the force was prepared for protest action and ready to respond if needed.
The conference falls on the same weekend as Garma Festival in the Northern Territory's remote northeast Arnhem Land.
Mr Albanese is expected to attend the four-day festival, with another senior leader to give the federal address to the state Labor faithful in his place.
With issues mounting after a decade in power, the Victorian Labor brand was viewed as a drag on the Albanese government's hopes for re-election in the lead-up to the May 3 poll.
Labor ultimately retained all of its Victorian seats and added MPs for Deakin, Menzies and Melbourne to its ballooning lower-house benches in Canberra.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
West Australian
12 minutes ago
- West Australian
Nationwide protests planned after Harbour Bridge march
Protest laws could be repealed or expanded following a march across an iconic national landmark, as activists plan for more demonstrations. The pro-Palestine movement, boosted by a march across the Sydney Harbour Bridge which made news across the nation and around the world, hopes to build on its momentum. The march across the bridge and back in pouring rain came after opposition from police, and a court's overruling approval that has politicians worrying about the rare occurrence becoming common. Further protests are planned on August 24 in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Adelaide and Perth with hopes more can be organised in other cities. Ahead of the state's parliament resuming on Tuesday, NSW Premier Chris Minns says his government is examining whether a legal precedent has been set by the Supreme Court judgment that allowed the protest to proceed. "No one should believe it's open season on the bridge," he told reporters on Monday. But new laws might be needed to stop future bridge protests. Mr Minns was "not ruling anything out" but said any legislation could not be rushed. Federal Opposition Leader Sussan Ley encouraged the premier to look at "what might happen next". "Because we can't continue to have these protests that shut down such an important area of a major city," she told reporters. In her determination declining to prohibit the march, Justice Belinda Rigg said the bridge would have been closed to traffic regardless of whether the protest was authorised or not. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said demonstrations were an important part of democracy and highlighted the peaceful nature of the Sydney march. "Australians want people to stop killing each other, they want peace and security ... they don't want conflict brought here," he said. Mr Minns has faced some internal dissent from other Labor MPs over protest legislation. NSW Greens MP Sue Higginson has also flagged plans to seek the repeal of laws limiting protest, first introduced by the previous coalition government but expanded under Labor. Palestine Action Group organiser Josh Lees, defendant of the court action NSW Police took in an unsuccessful attempt to have the demonstration ruled unlawful, says nationwide protests are being planned for August 24. "We want to build on this massive momentum we have now," he told reporters. Despite concerns of regular marches across the bridge, Mr Lees said the group has no plans for a repeat crossing any time soon and accused the premier of having an anti-protest agenda. "His stance is pretty clear and he's passed a raft of anti-protest legislation already," Mr Lees said. "We're going to have to keep fighting for our rights to demonstrate."
Perth Now
12 minutes ago
- Perth Now
Reality TV star on trial after fatal chopper crash
Matt Wright has pleaded not guilty to three counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice. (Lloyd Jones/AAP PHOTOS) Matt Wright has pleaded not guilty to three counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice. (Lloyd Jones/AAP PHOTOS) Credit: AAP A jury is set to be selected for the trial of reality TV star Matt Wright, more than three years after his mate was killed in an outback helicopter crash. Wright's Outback Wrangler TV show co-star Chris "Willow" Wilson was hanging from a sling under the chopper on a mission to collect crocodile eggs when he died in the February 2022 incident. Wright was charged after being accused of tampering with evidence to cover up non-adherence to aircraft maintenance rules. Wright last week pleaded not guilty to three counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice. The start of the trial has been delayed several times due to legal argument and scheduling issues. However, a jury is scheduled to be chosen on Tuesday for the trial before Acting Justice Allan Blow in Darwin's Supreme Court. The trial is expected to take up to four weeks and hear from about 25 witnesses. An Australian Transport Safety Bureau report into the crash near the King River in Arnhem Land found the chopper's engine stopped mid-flight because of a lack of fuel. The crash into a paperbark swamp killed Mr Wilson, 34, and critically injured pilot Sebastian Robinson, 28. The charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice carries a maximum 15-year jail term in the NT. Wright rose to fame starring in National Geographic's Outback Wrangler and Netflix series Wild Croc Territory.
Perth Now
12 minutes ago
- Perth Now
Jostling for government hots up as final votes declared
Tasmanians hope to soon gain a clearer picture of their next government, as the declaration of poll ceremony finalises results of a snap election that left the state in political limbo. With the votes counted and elected members confirmed, focus shifts to high-stakes negotiations as the major parties vie to form the next government. Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff has declared his readiness to accept the "will of the people" as he positions the Liberal Party as the strongest contenders to form government. He revealed on Sunday he intends to ask Governor Barbara Baker to recommission his government, saying he is keen to "get on with the job". "We want to work with each and every member of parliament to ensure everyone has their say," Mr Rockliff said. "Tasmanians are sick and tired of the political games. They have elected a parliament, they expect all members of parliament to work together." The final makeup of Tasmania's parliament is 14 Liberals, 10 Labor, five Greens, one Shooters, Fishers and Farmers MP and five independents. Labor's Jess Greene and independent George Razay claimed the final seats in the division of Bass on Saturday. Mr Rockliff and Labor Leader Dean Winter are intensifying negotiations with the crossbench to form another minority government as they attempt to secure the 18 parliamentary votes needed to govern. Professor Razay didn't reveal whether he would support the Liberals or Labor when speaking to ABC Radio Hobart on Monday. "Nobody knows George's views until the day of voting because I like to listen to every opinion and do my background research and then make my opinion on that day," he said. "So I said to both, 'look don't worry about me, if you are able to form a government, I am going to support whoever forms a government'." Deputy Labor Leader Anita Dow criticised Mr Rockliff's pledge, saying he had "learned nothing" from the starring role he played in the collapse of the last parliament. "The increasingly arrogant Premier claimed that without changing the way he operates, a new government he leads could last a full term,'' she said. "Despite losing the confidence of the house, he still thinks the last parliament was working well." The snap election on July 19 was triggered after Mr Rockliff lost a no-confidence motion, prompting the state's second election in 16 months. A key sticking point in negotiations to form government is the major parties backing a new stadium on Hobart's waterfront, which is a condition for Tasmania getting a side in the AFL. But the Greens and some independents are bitterly opposed to the plan.
