Branch stacking !

Factionalism has been one of the divisive elements of the Australian Labor party, and this has been glaringly evident by the use of branch stacking to try and get it's adherents into control.

A proposal by twenty-seven Labor branches for a rule change to make branch stacking more difficult has been rejected by the NSW Labor Party Rules committee.  Consequently, no such proposal will be put to the State Conference, to be held in  Sydney on July 9 - 10.

The requested reform would make it mandatory for new members wishing to join a branch to pay their own entrance fees - and be required to forward their application to head office.   At present, all that is required is their signature on the dotted line.  

This has led to rorting where factional bosses collect signatures from those of their political persuasion and pay their entrance fees from factional funds.  This organiser then delivers a mass of new entrants in bulk - and the voting pattern of the branch is transformed.

The Labor party got a clear indication of voter discontent at the recent state election.  It took a drubbing because it no longer had the confidence of the voters - and now it seems that all hope of reform is being thrown out of the window.

The " faceless men " of the rules committee are not going to allow even a hint of reform to be mentioned  - much less put to the state conference for a vote.

Looks like Labor may be stuck in the boondocks for a long - long time !