Fifty-six New South Wales Labor branches have demanded the repeal or review of controversial anti-protest legislation, sending a wave of motions to the state conference. Sources indicate the party’s entire left faction is backing the repeal of two specific laws.
The conference serves as the final policy-shaping event before the March election. While gambling reform, Aukus, and Palestine have emerged as top priorities, a growing number of members fear the protest laws will be sidelined. The issue is currently scheduled second last on the agenda.
The Battle Over Rank-and-File Voices
Asrah Sobh, a Labor party member, slammed the scheduling during a press conference, stating it amounted to “shutting down branch members’ voices.”
According to Sobh, the right to protest was the “single most submitted issue” in the social justice and affairs chapter. She called on Premier Chris Minns to listen to the party’s rank and file. Minns is scheduled to address delegates at Sydney’s Town Hall on Saturday. He is expected to announce a plan to return train manufacturing to the Hunter region, though no start date has been provided.
Prison Terms and Police Escalation
The laws in question were enacted by the then Coalition government in 2022 and supported by Labor. They carry penalties of up to two years in jail for those blocking major facilities.
Critics say the legislation has heightened tensions. They point to a February rally against Israeli President Isaac Herzog as an example of “disturbing scenes.” A report by Legal Observers NSW described the event as featuring “collective and systemic police escalation.”
Aukus and the Palestine Divide
Internal friction extends to foreign policy. The party has not planned a debate on the “Australia and the World” committee report, which contains a contentious endorsement of Aukus despite a lack of branch support for the policy.
Simultaneously, Labor Friends of Palestine and Labor Against War are demanding a debate on the party’s stance on Palestine. They argue that motions from 14 party units were “unanimous” in condemning violence, a position they say contradicts the report’s framing.
The Poker Machine Crisis
Beyond foreign policy and civil liberties, the conference is grappling with social harm. Darcy Byrne, the mayor of Sydney’s Inner West council, highlighted the urgency of poker machine reform, calling it a “crisis that can no longer be ignored.”
The Premier’s upcoming speech may be overshadowed by the fight over anti-protest laws. While the outcome of the conference will shape the party’s platform, the train manufacturing plan remains pending without an official timeline.
What triggered the motions to repeal the anti-protest laws? Fifty-six Labor branches submitted motions to the state conference, citing concerns over the laws’ impact on free speech and public safety, with the left faction backing their repeal.
Why is the scheduling of the protest law debate controversial? Some members argue the issue was placed second last on the agenda, limiting opportunities for debate and potentially sidelining rank-and-file input ahead of the March election.
What other issues were prioritized at the conference? Gambling reform, Aukus, and Palestine were among the top issues, with motions from branches reflecting diverse priorities, including calls for action on poker machine harm and Palestine-related policy alignment.
How might the party’s handling of these motions affect its cohesion ahead of the election?
Worth a look
