Palestine, AUKUS set for debate at Labor love-in

West Australian

13 hours ago

A key defence partnership and Middle East policy will come into sharp focus at a Labor conference as protesters try to disrupt the love-in after the party's thumping election win.
Party leaders, members and union officials will gather for the Victorian Labor state conference on Saturday and Sunday in Melbourne, with MPs to rub shoulders with the rank and file.
A raft of grassroots resolutions will be put up for debate and voted on across the two days, although the motions are not binding on the state or federal Labor governments.
These include one calling for immediate action against the "military occupation, siege and genocide" in Palestine.
A similar resolution passed at the state conference in 2024 after the terror attack on Israel by Hamas on October 7, 2023, and the nation's subsequent military campaign in Gaza.
Suggestions within the motion, which is subject to change, include comprehensive sanctions on members of Israel's Netanyahu government and legislating improved military trade transparency and tracking laws.
Labor's official platform backs Palestinian statehood but Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has refused to set a timeline for the policy's implementation, recently declaring it was not imminent.
More draft motions seen by AAP relate to the AUKUS nuclear submarines pact, US President Donald Trump, a public housing towers redevelopment plan and the right to peaceful assembly.
A rally has been called outside the event by a coalition of groups opposing the "genocide in Gaza", forced administration of the embattled CFMEU and incoming state protest laws.
Security has been tightened for the event after pro-Palestine protesters stormed the venue in 2024.
The major security breach led to the conference floor being locked down and delayed speeches by Mr Albanese and Premier Jacinta Allan, who has warned people not to bring their "extremist behaviour" to the 2025 conference.
"If they want to join the Labor party and be part of the debate and discussion inside the room, that's how you make a difference," Ms Allan said.
A Victoria Police spokesperson said the force was prepared for protest action and ready to respond if needed.
The conference falls on the same weekend as Garma Festival in the Northern Territory's remote northeast Arnhem Land.
Mr Albanese is expected to attend the four-day festival, with another senior leader to give the federal address to the state Labor faithful in his place.
With issues mounting after a decade in power, the Victorian Labor brand was viewed as a drag on the Albanese government's hopes for re-election in the lead-up to the May 3 poll.
Labor ultimately retained all of its Victorian seats and added MPs for Deakin, Menzies and Melbourne to its ballooning lower-house benches in Canberra.