Tasmanian Labor leader voting rules to change

A motion for delegates at Labor’s state conference to vote on was set to give one-third of voting power each to parliamentarians, unions, and rank-and-file members.

Labor leader Rebecca White moved an amended motion which would split the voting power between conference delegates and rank-and-file members, including the parliamentary Labor party.

She said the motion provided members with a greater say in the direction of the party through a vote on a future leader and deputy leader if a ballot was required.

Ms White was appointed leader of the party unchallenged last year when former leader Bryan Green resigned.

Left faction executive member Adam Clarke said there were international examples of growth in political party membership when members had a direct say in the party’s leader.

“By bringing people an opportunity to participate in these processes, we are saying to people ‘come join our party, come be part of our movement’,” he said.

Delegates decided that public holidays on Easter Saturday and Sunday, as well as part-day public holidays from 7pm until midnight on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, should be declared by a future Labor state government.

They backed a recommendation to increase the size of the public service by 10 per cent in order to increase service delivery and provide more full-time employment in the state.

Housing and wage growth also emerged as key issues.

A call for Labor in government to prevent high rent increases and prevent evictions of tenants for no cause at the end of fixed term leases by way of legislative change was supported, as was a call to commit to increased levels of public housing.

Delegates voted to implement a rule for elected Labor representatives to reply to communication from party members within two weeks.

Labor state secretary Stuart Benson said the motion stemmed from complaints that communication received late or no responses at times.

More motions will be debated on Sunday.