DOCSLIB.ORG

Ian Quick Emails to Members and His Destructive Alternative Views

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Ian Quick Emails to Members and His Destructive Alternative Views ABALINX ENEWS LETTER 15 THIS ABALINX ENEWS LETTER IS IN RESPONSE TO THE IAN QUICK EMAILS TO MEMBERS AND HIS DESTRUCTIVE ALTERNATIVE VIEWS IAN QUICK SPECIAL EDITION This week’s ENews Letter 15 is a special edition on Ian Quick. His beliefs, sayings, quotes, tantrums and idiotic statements deserve to be published again and again so that members within the Victorian Division are refreshed of the shenanigans carried out by Ian Quick. ENews Letters are as result of Ian Quicks Emails to members. Nothing has been done to or to Karina Okotel or Ian Quick reprimand them for them for political disloyalty to the Liberal party. WHAT IS BEING DONE ABOUT QUICK? This is the most frequently asked question asked at all Liberal Party meetings and events. Members are tired of Ian Quick’s domineering demeanour, intimidation, bullying, lecturing and his infamous Quick newsletters. Ian Quick expounds an opinion on every subject imaginable, particularly on all matters relating to the Liberal Party. Members have had enough of Ian Quick. Members ask “What has Ian Quick contributed to the Victorian Division?” The answer is not much of any value. Locally, Ian Quick drove the members of Burwood SEC mad with his domineering and insufferable It is now being alleged that as a result style. Following the loss of Burwood at the 2018 Victorian state election, under Ian Quick’s chairmanship of Ian Quicks emails to members, (SEC and Campaign Committee) he quickly transferred out to Hawthorn SEC. Word has it that a huge membership has fallen to an all-time sigh of relief was breathed at a Burwood. One can only imagine the response from Hawthorn SEC low. From approximately 12,000 in members. 2018 it has now dropped to approximately 8,000 members. Ian Quick has been / is a member of almost every Liberal Party committee known to man and woman, including of course, the Administrative Committee, where he is Metropolitan Male Vice President. He It is alleged that Robert Clark and his dominates all committees on which he sits, boring members to tears with his self-styled encyclopaedic gang of ten through their witch hunts, knowledge on every topic imaginable. investigations, and un-Australian political actions have failed in their Ian Quick’s hobbyhorse is the Party’s Constitution though, which he elaborates on at every available duty as office bearers. opportunity, and with great verve. The only problem is that he frequently interprets the Constitution to suit his own purposes at the time. A particular current case in point concerns the requisition for a Special It is alleged that that Ian Quick and State Council Meeting. Ian Quick is vehemently opposed to members exercising their constitutional Sean Armistead aspire to the right to hold a Special State Council Meeting. How dare they! Ian Quick has an unfortunate inability to Presidency and if not successfully listen to anyone but himself, leading to poor decisions, particularly on any committee that he chairs. preferred the role of State Director. A bit farfetched and beyond their State President, Robert Clark, indebted to Ian Quick for his election as president via the Quick block of capabilities. votes, (and Scott Ryan and Karina Okotel blocks) has compromised his ability to lead the Party to such an extent that anarchy now prevails. Robert Clark has been known to refer to Ian Quick as an expert Allegations of misconduct are rife on the Constitution, ICT, Property and Finance, to mention just a few. within all major parties and although the Liberal party has embraced the Ian Quick has established a Party member data base, illegally, and inclusive of almost all members of National Code of Conduct it appears the Victorian Division, from which he distributes his Quick Liberal News. He has used his Quick Liberal that it should be reviewed. Marija News extensively to denigrate fellow Party members, and particularly the Party leadership. He Taflaga and Katrine Beauregard of commenced his commentary as an ordinary Party member, continued as a member of the the ABC discussed the reasons Administrative Committee, and more recently as Vice President. Why stop now? why in their article some six months ago. Yet nothing appears From time to time there has been the added confusion of multiple Quick publications: “Quick Liberal to have been doe to alleviate the News”, “Quick News” and “Real Quick News” etc. For a while there it seemed that even Ian Quick was concerns women have in the Liberal Party. Liberals have confused about which was which! As readers of this lowbrow commentary we certainly were! It is the requested that the National Code Quick Liberal News that most infuriates Party members though, producing the questions: “How does of Conduct be reviewed. Ian Quick get away with it?” and “What is being done about Quick?” ABALINX NEWS LETTER TEAM CONDUCT A ‘QUICK’ ANALYSIS OF EMAIL CORRESPONDENCE ABALINX ENEWS EARLY PRE-SELECTIONS The Abalinx ENews team met to discuss who the most despised member of the Administrative Committee was. To decide the winner, Abalinx ENews conducted an ‘Early Pre-selection’ to ascertain who would be the winner. Mind you there were many contenders and besides the President, Sean Armistead, Amy Johnson, Many members had stories of problems in State Assembly is a significant body in Owen Guest and Holly Byrne, Ian Quick by far their area of the party, but say if they speak out the Party; indeed it has some powers deserved to be crowned with ‘D’ tag. they will be verbally abused, harassed, and that Admin does not. The Constitution intimidated. Ian Quick governs key elements of State The twenty Abalinx ENews delegates having been Assembly, and also gives it power to advised in advance attended the meeting at an I find it appalling that the party has got to the make 'Standing Orders' to govern how undisclosed location the ‘Early Pre-selection. After a point that members are legitimately afraid to it runs. Ian Quick few sherbets for medicinal purposes only the discuss issues. Ian Quick discussions took place. The Constitution requires a meeting to This is the party of free speech and be held every two months, with notice The delegates analysed and took into account all of responsible behavior - why is it that we now to go out 7 days before hand, and the Ian Quick emails, the Abalinx articles, listened to seem to be more like the ALP with intolerance creates a 'Steering Committee' to various acrimonious testimonies by the delegates for members asking questions or wanting effectively run it. Steering Committee and considered the recent actions of Ian Quick on proper processes? Ian Quick calls the meetings, and also sets the the current Administrative Committee. agenda, as per the Standing Orders. This is definitely not the party I and many Ian Quick The articles by Abalinx written in the year 2018 after others joined, which is why quite a few a string of emails were despatched by Ian Quick members have told me they are not planning I could fill this entire newsletter with a revealed the character of Ian Quick. It appeared that to renew their membership over the coming report of the meeting, but instead want the articles were written specifically for a whole new weeks. Ian Quick to concentrate on some of procedure generation of young Liberals who were monitoring issues that concerned me. Ian Quick the battle raging within the Liberal Party. So many Victorian members are now feeling powerless in their own party. Ian Quick I may address other issues in a future A List of those are articles are shown below: newsletter, but I want to see if they get It's about proper governance, accountability resolved before commenting on them. A. Ian Quicks skill with the quill and the duty for all of us to ask probing Ian Quick questions – even where they are B. The black fox – Ian Quick uncomfortable. Ian Quick Being a party member was always C. Quick to be investigated (well, it used to be) a two way street – Many people are appalled – and for often you give your time and money, and the D. A Quick Response conflicting reasons. But if we as a party don't party gives you a say in pre-selections care for the rule of law. Ian Quick and the members of parliament should E. Liberal Ian Quick threatened with expulsion listen to you. Ian Quick But with pre-selections now not in the hand of Never before in the history of the Liberal Party had the membership in Victoria, instead in the If you have an opinion about what is there been such acts of devilry, disloyalty and hands of a small number of "faceless men", going on in Canberra, or in Victoria, undermining of a leader of the opposition (Matthew serious questions need to be asked on how contact your local Member/Candidate Guy and that of the President (Michael Kroger). that may have influenced votes in Canberra. and let them know your views. Ian Ian Quick Quick These articles obviously affected the voting and it was not a difficult choice to make. Although to be I think it is a new low point, but stand to be Contact members of Admin (all their fair, there was one who voted for the President, corrected if members want to send my what details are on the party web site). Robert Clark. Still one vote out of twenty is a very they think the lowest point of this (used to be) Ian Quick good effort on the part of Robert Clark. A pity that wonderful Victorian Division of the Liberal these votes were not a State Election preselection, Party.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Social Democracy and the Rudd Labor Government in Australia
    Internationale Politikanalyse International Policy Analysis Andrew Scott Social Democracy and the Rudd Labor Government in Australia As the Rudd Labor Party Government in Australia celebrates two years in office following the Party’s many years in opposition, it is in a strong position. However, it needs to more clearly outline its social democratic ambitions in order to break free from the policies of the former right-wing government, from three decades of neo-liberal intellectual dominance and from association with the ineffectual policy approach of British Labour’s »Third Way«. This can be done with a greater and more sustained commitment to improve industrial relations in favour of working families, including by fur- ther expanding paid parental leave. There also need to be further increases in public investment, including in all forms of education, and policy action to broaden the nation’s economic base by rebuilding manufacturing in- dustry. Other priorities should be to better prevent and alleviate the plight of the unemployed, and to tackle the inadequate taxation presently paid by the wealthy. Australia needs now to look beyond the English-speaking world to en- visage social democratic job creation programs in community services, and to greatly reduce child poverty. Australia also needs better planning for the major cities, where the population is growing most. Consistent with the wish for a greater role as a medium-sized power in the world, Aus- tralia’s Labor Government needs to take more actions towards a humani- tarian
    [Show full text]
  • AUR 48-01 Cover.Indd
    AUSTRALIAN UNIVERSITIES REVIEW Running on empty John Quiggin After nine years spent in opposition, it’s still hard to know what Federal Labor intends by way of an economic policy platform. Kim Beazley still seems to believe that the prime purpose of opposition is to oppose. John Quiggin disagrees. Without a coherent and well-understood economic direc- tion, he argues, Labor’s sniping will continue to look like unfocussed opportunism. With the Howard Government now in unchallenged control Review, have resulted in bitter infighting and few concrete of the Commonwealth Parliament, the role of the Labor Party achievements. The Party’s membership has withered and the must change substantially. Until now, Labor has been able to selection of candidates has been driven by branch-stacking influence legislation directly through the Senate, a task that and factional deals. required negotiation with Democrats, Greens and independ- Now that direct involvement in the policy process is a thing ents. Barring defections from the Government, the next three of the past, Labor has little alternative but to spend time devel- years will see the resumption of the traditional role of opposi- oping alternative policies. The purpose of this paper is to tion, able to criticise government policy and propose alterna- examine options in relation to economic policy. tives, but with no effective involvement in the policy process. The last time Labor was in this position was under the Does Labor need an economic policy? Fraser Government of 1977–80. At that time, the Labor Party took the opportunity to undertake one of the most successful The first question that needs to be asked is whether Labor programs of renewal in the history of Australian politics.
    [Show full text]
  • Gridlock: Removing Barriers to Policy Reform
    Gridlock: Removing barriers to policy reform Grattan Institute Support Grattan Institute Report No. 2021-08, July 2021 Founding members Endowment Supporters This report was written by John Daley. Bel Matthews and Rory Anderson provided extensive research assistance and made substantial contributions. The report draws The Myer Foundation on the work of all of Grattan’s past and current staff, and would not have been National Australia Bank possible without them. Susan McKinnon Foundation We would like to thank numerous current and former academics, government and industry participants and officials for their valuable and diverse input, particularly Affiliate Partners Aaron Martin, Allan Fels, Anne Twomey, Ben Jensen, Carmela Chivers, David Kemp, Ecstra Foundation George Williams, Glyn Davis, Jill Rutter, Joo-Cheong Tham, Lindy Edwards, Martin Parkinson, Mike Keating, Percy Allan, Peter Goss, Reuben Finighan, Sarah Nickson, Origin Energy Foundation Saul Eslake, and Sean Innis. Susan McKinnon Foundation The author is fully responsible for any errors or omissions, and the views expressed, which do not necessarily represent the views of Grattan Institute’s founding Senior Affiliates members, affiliates, individual board members, reference group members, or Cuffe Family Foundation reviewers. Maddocks We thank the Cuffe Family Foundation for its support to finalise this report. Medibank Private Grattan Institute is an independent think tank focused on Australian public policy. Our The Myer Foundation work is independent, practical, and rigorous. We aim to improve policy by engaging with decision makers and the broader community. We acknowledge and celebrate Scanlon Foundation the First Nations people on whose traditional lands we meet and work, and whose Trawalla Foundation cultures are among the oldest in human history.
    [Show full text]
  • Party Primaries for Candidate Selection? Right Question, Wrong Answer
    964 UNSW Law Journal Volume 34(3) PARTY PRIMARIES FOR CANDIDATE SELECTION? RIGHT QUESTION, WRONG ANSWER GRAEME ORR ∗ I INTRODUCTION Political parties act as gatekeepers to Parliament,1 and hence to law-making and ministerial government. Theirs is gatekeeping in a special sense, however. Occupational gatekeepers screen entrants to professions using defined and transparent measures. The process of becoming an MP, however, is a thoroughly political one. As Lord Hoffmann observed, ‘the main criterion is likely to be the popularity of the candidate with the voters … the candidate who, for whatever reason, seems … most likely to win’. 2 Along with that criterion, internal party ideology, rivalries and factionalism may play a part. Given the long-standing dominance by parties of electoral politics – and hence of Parliaments, law- making and executive governance – the gatekeeping role of parties is not merely a matter of internal party concern, but of considerable interest to the wider community and to public law itself. In the common law world, this parliamentary gatekeeping is described as candidate ‘endorsement’ or ‘preselection’. 3 These very terms imply that the process is within the party’s control. They assume a coherent, intentional body, identifiable as ‘the party’, which gives its imprimatur to candidates to contest general elections on its behalf. In contrast, candidate selection in the United States of America (‘US’) is taken out of the hands of parties, and placed in the hands of a broader electorate. Through the mechanism of the direct primary election, candidate selection in the US is more open, and even more political (in the public sense), 4 than elsewhere.
    [Show full text]
  • Probity Investigation Grand Prix: Economic Outcomes Employee
    QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE Tuesday, 28 May 1996 COUNCIL 117 Tuesday, 28 May 1996 to note the success of the grand prix in Albert Park, with $95.6 million worth of economic benefit 400 000 people visiting over four days and 31 000 interstate and overseas visitors. However, the two critical issues for the local community were The PRESIDENT (Hon. B. A. Chamberlain) took residential amenity and whether local business the chair at 2.33 p.m. and read the prayer. would benefit from the staging of the grand prix. Although many small businesses indicated great QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE economic benefit from the grand prix, a number indicated that they would have preferred higher returns. It gives me a great degree of pleasure today Crown Casino: probity investigation to announce the establishment of a task force to investigate ways of maximising benefits to local traders from the grand prix without jeopardising Hon. PAT POWER Oika Jika) - In light of the residential amenity in the area. The task force will be recent revelations by the police that they were chaired by the Honourable Wendy Smith, who has stopped by the Victorian Casino and Gaming an outstanding record in small business. It will Authority from fully investigating the role of comprise representatives of local government, Mr Lloyd Williams and his company, Dominion including the City of Stonnington and the City of Prop~rties, in relation to the probity of people Port Phillip. It will also include local traders and aSSOCIated with the casino will the Minister for representatives from the Public Transport Gaming now investigate this serious matter and Corporation, Tourism Victoria, the Office of Small report back to the house the outcomes of such Business and the Australian Grand Prix investigations? Corporation.
    [Show full text]
  • Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)
    PARLIAMENT OF VICTORIA PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD) LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY FIFTY-NINTH PARLIAMENT FIRST SESSION WEDNESDAY, 17 JUNE 2020 Internet: www.parliament.vic.gov.au/downloadhansard By authority of the Victorian Government Printer The Governor The Honourable LINDA DESSAU, AC The Lieutenant-Governor The Honourable KEN LAY, AO, APM The ministry Premier ........................................................ The Hon. DM Andrews, MP Deputy Premier, Minister for Education and Minister for Mental Health The Hon. JA Merlino, MP Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Agriculture and Minister for Resources The Hon. J Symes, MLC Minister for Transport Infrastructure and Minister for the Suburban Rail Loop ........................................................ The Hon. JM Allan, MP Minister for Training and Skills, and Minister for Higher Education .... The Hon. GA Tierney, MLC Treasurer, Minister for Economic Development and Minister for Industrial Relations ........................................... The Hon. TH Pallas, MP Minister for Public Transport and Minister for Roads and Road Safety .. The Hon. BA Carroll, MP Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, and Minister for Solar Homes ................................................. The Hon. L D’Ambrosio, MP Minister for Child Protection and Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers ....................................................... The Hon. LA Donnellan, MP Minister for Health, Minister for Ambulance Services and Minister for Equality ....................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Australian Labor Party (State of Queensland) RULES 2021
    Australian Labor Party (State of Queensland) RULES 2021 57th State Conference of the Australian Labor Party (State of Queensland) 4-6 June 2021 Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Brisbane 2021 Rules of the Australian Labor Party (State of Queensland) i CONTENTS Part A. Introduction 1 Name and Membership ..................................................................................................... 1 2 Origins, Objectives and Principles of Action .......................................................................... 1 2A Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country ........................................................... 1 3 Authority of National Conference, National Executive and State Conference................................. 1 4 Administrative Regulations ................................................................................................ 2 5 Commencement of Rules .................................................................................................. 2 6 Interpretation ................................................................................................................ 2 Part B. Affirmative Action 7 Affirmative Action ........................................................................................................... 2 7A Promoting Diversity ......................................................................................................... 3 8 Affirmative Action for ATSI Candidates ................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Kairouz V Bracks And
    IN THE SUPREME COURT OF VICTORIA Not Restricted AT MELBOURNE COMMON LAW DIVISION JUDICIAL REVIEW AND APPEALS LIST S ECI 2021 00274 MARLENE KAIROUZ Plaintiff v THE HONOURABLE STEVE BRACKS Defendants THE HONOURABLE JENNY MACKLIN (In their capacity as Administrators of the Australian Labor Party Victorian Branch and the persons whose names are set out in the Schedule in their capacity as the National Executive of the Australian Labor Party and the Interim Governance Committee of the Victorian Branch of the Australian Labor Party) --- JUDGE: Ginnane J WHERE HELD: Melbourne DATE OF HEARING: 17-18 February 2021 DATE OF JUDGMENT: 19 March 2021 First Revision: 19 March 2021 CASE MAY BE CITED AS: Kairouz v Bracks MEDIUM NEUTRAL CITATION: [2021] VSC 130 --- ASSOCIATIONS – Australian Labor Party – National Executive – Federal oversight of Victorian Branch – Administrators appointed – Rules amended – Plaintiff charged by Administrators with branch stacking – Whether resolution providing for federal oversight valid – Whether charges valid – Application for interlocutory injunction restraining hearing of charges – Whether issues raised justiciable – Whether serious question to be tried – Balance of convenience --- APPEARANCES: Counsel Solicitors For the Plaintiff Mr J Karkar QC with Cornwalls Ms M Pilipasidis For Defendants 12, 14, 15 Mr P Buitendag Johnson Winter & Slattery For Defendants 1-11, 13, 16-26 Mr P G Willis SC with Holding Redlich Mr A D Lang and Mr J Kirkwood SC: 1 JUDGMENT Kairouz v Bracks & Ors HIS HONOUR: 1 The plaintiff, Ms Marlene Kairouz, has been the member for Kororoit in the Victorian Legislative Assembly since 2008 and is a member of the Victorian Branch of the Australian Labor Party (‘ALP’ or ‘the Party’).
    [Show full text]
  • Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)
    EXTRACT FROM BOOK PARLIAMENT OF VICTORIA PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD) LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FIFTY-SIXTH PARLIAMENT FIRST SESSION Thursday, 27 May 2010 (Extract from book 7) Internet: www.parliament.vic.gov.au/downloadhansard By authority of the Victorian Government Printer The Governor Professor DAVID de KRETSER, AC The Lieutenant-Governor The Honourable Justice MARILYN WARREN, AC The ministry Premier, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Minister for Multicultural Affairs....................................................... The Hon. J. M. Brumby, MP Deputy Premier, Attorney-General and Minister for Racing............ The Hon. R. J. Hulls, MP Treasurer, Minister for Information and Communication Technology, and Minister for Financial Services.............................. The Hon. J. Lenders, MLC Minister for Regional and Rural Development, and Minister for Industry and Trade............................................. The Hon. J. M. Allan, MP Minister for Health............................................... The Hon. D. M. Andrews, MP Minister for Energy and Resources, and Minister for the Arts........... The Hon. P. Batchelor, MP Minister for Police and Emergency Services, and Minister for Corrections................................................... The Hon. R. G. Cameron, MP Minister for Community Development.............................. The Hon. L. D’Ambrosio, MP Minister for Agriculture and Minister for Small Business.............. The Hon. J. Helper, MP Minister for Finance, WorkCover and the Transport Accident Commission,
    [Show full text]
  • Branch Recruitment Guide Branch Recruitment Guide
    BRANCH RECRUITMENT GUIDE BRANCH RECRUITMENT GUIDE The NSW Labor Party has a proud tradition of strong local branches. This Branch Recruitment Guide aims to share some ideas for making branch membership a more rewarding experience. I would like to thank all Branch Officials for their hard work and dedication. What you do in a voluntary role for the ALP is appreciated by the Party Officers and the Parliamentary leadership. Without you we could not sustain such a successful Party into the future. This Guide contains a few suggestions on how you might go about recruiting new members to our Party. If you would like to share an idea that has worked for your Branch, please contact Membership and Communications Officer Kaila Murnain on (02) 9207 2000 or [email protected] Matt Thistlethwaite General Secretary PS. Have you recently visited the Party Website www.nswalp.com? Resources for Branch Officials include publications, forms and recruitment material. BRANCH RECRUITMENT GUIDE 2009 3 BRANCH RECRUITMENT STRATEGY Recruiting new members is essential to keeping most Recruitment Brochure branches active. From time to time, all branches The NSW Labor Recruitment Brochure is available should reflect on recruitment strategy. on the NSW Labor Website www.nswalp.com. This full colour document includes basic information Branch Officials should direct and oversee any about the benefits of NSW Labor Membership. recruitment activities. However, sharing the responsibility for recruitment involves members Recruitment Flyer in preparing your Branch for the future. The Recruitment Flyer is available from the Members’ Area of the Party Website NSW LABOR RECRUITMENT MATERIAL www.nswalp.com.
    [Show full text]
  • A Discussion Paper for Reform
    VICTORIAN LABOR, PROGRESS AND INTEGRITY A discussion paper for reform August 2020 Authorised by Chris Ford, Australian Labor Party, (Victorian Branch). 438 Docklands Drive, Docklands VIC 3008. The process for making Table of Contents a submission A discussion paper for reform paper for A discussion We encourage members of Victorian Labor to help us strengthen our Party. The process for making a submission 2 and Integrity Labor, Progress Victorian We invite members to respond to some or all of the questions posed in this discussion paper. Introduction from Jenny Macklin and Steve Bracks 4 Our preferred process is for you to use the webform provided here https://www.viclabor.com.au/change Important background 5 Alternatively, you can send a response via email to [email protected] Reform – a long and winding road 5 Or you can post your comments to: Party Administrators (In confidence - Discussion Paper submission) The work to date 5 Australian Labor Party, Victorian Branch Locked Bag 3240 Melbourne VIC 3001 Key principles for reform 6 All submissions will be confidential. Topic 1 – What it means to be a Party member 7 The deadline for submissions is 14 October 2020. Topic 2 – The fundamentals of joining 9 Topic 3 - Key structures of membership 11 Topic 4 - Ensuring ongoing membership integrity 12 Topic 5 - Oversight, governance, standards 13 Topic 6 – System design to prevent branch stacking 15 Topic 7 – Effective dispute and oversight mechanisms 16 Topic 8 - A growing Party 17 Topic 9 - Party capability 19 Topic 10 - Party impact and change 21 Discussion Paper Questions 22 Process overview 23 2 3 Introduction from Jenny Macklin Important background and Steve Bracks A discussion paper for reform paper for A discussion The revelation of large scale branch stacking that led to our appointment as Administrators of the Reform – a long and winding road and Integrity Labor, Progress Victorian Victorian Branch in June this year marked a low point for the Victorian Branch of the Labor Party.
    [Show full text]
  • The Transformation of the Australian Labor Party
    The transformation of the Australian Labor Party Joint Social Sciences Public Lecture 8 June 2007 Australian National University To what extent does the traditional characterisation of the Australian Labor Party as a reformist, trade union based party operating within the framework of capitalism still apply today? It is important not only to consider the Party’s policies but also mechanisms which link the Labor Party with different classes and social groups: Labor’s electoral support, membership and local branches, the backgrounds of the Party’s parliamentarians and leaders, the role of trade unions and leftwing currents inside the ALP, and its sources of funding. Tom Bramble Rick Kuhn UQ Business School School of Social Science/Arts University of Queensland and Australian National University [email protected] [email protected] The transformation of the Australian Labor Party Tom Bramble and Rick Kuhn During the 1980s and 1990s critics of the contemporary ALP, such as Graham Maddox and Tim Battin, argued that a fundamental break with the Party’s socialist tradition had recently taken place. They focussed particularly on Labor Party policy and actions in government.1 Drawing on Katz, Mair and Blyth’s conceptions of cartel parties, convergent in their policies and reliant on state funding, a recent collection examined the evolution of political parties in Australia.2 Several contributors to Political parties in transition? reproduced aspects of the discontinuity thesis of Maddox and Battin, arguing that Labor can now be described as a cartel party. Their case rested not only on examinations of Labor policy but also on significant shifts in Labor’s electoral support, membership and sources of funds.
    [Show full text]