Proposals to make the selection of Labor candidates more democratic and involve a US-style primary process has caused unease among senior figures within the party.

Three Labor stalwarts have handed in their review of the 120-year-old political party, but so far only one part has seen the light of day, the bit dealing with how to grow and rebuild the ALP.

The more contentious reviews of Labor's first term and of the rocky 2010 election campaign remain under wraps.

The most contentious recommendation from the review, overseen by Senator John Faulkner and former premiers Steve Bracks and Bob Carr, is to give the public a say in preselections, an idea borrowed from the US, similar to their system of primaries.

The review suggests it start just for Lower House seats, those not held by Labor or where the sitting Labor member is retiring.

Sixty per cent of the ballot would be from party members, 20 per cent from Labor-affiliated unions, and the other 20 per cent from "registered Labor supporters" in the community.

Federal Communications Minister Stephen Conroy is a member of Labor's national executive and says while he is yet to read the report, he is not a fan of the idea.

"In terms of the principle of primaries, while I'm a huge fan and observer of American politics, I would probably describe primaries as the most corrupt of the selections because it simply becomes about who's the richest person that's able to raise the most money to run that campaign," he said.

"I haven't seen what the proposal is, but in terms of money politics in America, it's not a system that I find attractive at all.

"I actually think it will completely devalue the role of the rank-and-file member of the Labor Party and will actually lead to an Americanisation of politics that I wouldn't support."

In the words of another Labor MP, if the public can have a say in preselections, why would they join the ALP, questioning who would decide who is a Labor supporter and how would that be determined?

Mr Bracks does not expect a union backlash and Senator Faulkner says it is about re-establishing Labor's links with the community.

"I'd be very surprised if there was concern amongst our friends in the trade union movement about this proposal," Senator Faulkner said.

ACTU president Ged Kearney is not objecting at this stage.

"We'll be looking very closely at that process and having a discussion with our affiliates about the process recommended in the review," Ms Kearney said.

'Come back'


Senator Faulkner, Mr Bracks and Mr Carr are worried the party's membership is shrinking and getting older, with branches closing every month.

"Some big reforms are required now to ensure the Labor Party grows and prospers into the future," Mr Bracks said.

"What we're releasing is a significant and profound proposal to really engage the Australian public on the progressive side of politics with the Labor Party and to make a concerted effort on that in the future," Mr Faulkner said.

They propose party members directly vote for delegates to Labor's national conference, including electing the party president and vice presidents who would have full voting rights on the ALP national executive.

They are also keen to win back all those who have left the party.

"We're proposing an amnesty for those people who have left the party over the last five years," Senator Faulkner said.

"We're holding out a hand of friendship to those people and saying 'come back', and if you do come back to the party you do so with full restoration of your membership rights."

But the remaining two parts of the review - critiques of Labor's first term and last August's election - may never see the light of day.

That is up to the national executive to decide, but Labor veterans say parties hardly ever release tactical information.

There has already been speculation about the future of ALP national secretary Karl Bitar, who has been heavily criticised since Labor surrendered its majority and nearly lost government at the last federal election.



Prime Minister Julia Gillard has made clear some things are not up for grabs, insisting there are matters that must remain the exclusive domain of the parliamentary leader.

That includes her right to "freely choose" Labor's frontbench and the best structure for her office.


http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/02/18/3143060.htm

_________________________

And amusingly, while some think Conroy is a champion, it's become apparent, there are some who think the bloke is a ....

(warning, not for the faint hearted)

http://stephenconroyisacunt.wordpress.com/

Quote:
-Conroy


Now, you sit back and watch Labor maul him, he will be ostracised from the ALP, (he dared to speak up about the realities of US politics and money)...

So i'd say, his days are numbered in the Labor party.

Unless he's intentionally playing the role of the devils own devils advocate, 

Honestly, you cant rule anything out with this cunning party...they will use any dirty trick in the book, if it means getting their way.

You will find that during interviews over the last few days that any adopting of US style primaries is out the door.
As usual all ideas good, bad and crazy were submitted and now they are being sifted through.
I suspect this is the usual mountain out of a mole hill

A bigger worry is the Liberal Party member leaking the party room discussions on how the party can capitalise politicly from publicly bashing Muslim Australians.
The motto of the Liberal leadership these days is "anything for power"
I am heartened by the fact that there are good and decent people in the Liberal Party that have come to the end of their tether with the far right take over of a once great party.

Andrei.Hicks wrote on Feb 19^th, 2011 at 2:17pm:


And are you saying a country should be governed by "Talkback"?
You seriously think the talkback set would not close markets reintroduce tarrifs and subsides?
It's all they blather on about,that and their hate-speech.
I realise you sh!tstir with alot of your comments, but really.

Crikey cods, all you lot were calling for Rudds head from the day he was elected but as soon as your wish came true  you all twisted yourself in knots crying foul.
I can never take the "backstabbing" allegations seriously after all the backflipping with half pikes you all performed