ACT Labor Party

Last updated

ACT Labor Party
Australian Labor Party
(Australian Capital Territory Branch)
Leader Andrew Barr
Deputy Leader Yvette Berry
PresidentSue Ducker
SecretaryAsh van Dijk
Founded1973;51 years ago (1973)
Headquarters1st Floor, 222 City Walk, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory
Youth wing Australian Young Labor
Women's wing Labor Women's Network
LGBT wingRainbow Labor
Norfolk Island sub-branch Norfolk Labor (until 2015)
Membership (2021)Increase2.svg 2,000
Ideology Social democracy
Political position Centre-left
National affiliation Australian Labor
Colours  Red
Slogan"On Your Side"
Legislative Assembly
10 / 25
House of Representatives
3 / 3
(ACT seats)
Senate
1 / 2
(ACT seats)
Website
www.actlabor.org.au

The ACT Labor Party, officially known as the Australian Labor Party (ACT Branch) and commonly referred to simply as ACT Labor, is the Australian Capital Territory branch of the Australian Labor Party (ALP). The branch is the current ruling party in the ACT and is led by Andrew Barr, who has concurrently served as chief minister since 2014. It is one of two major parties in the unicameral ACT Legislative Assembly, and is currently in a coalition with the ACT Greens.

Contents

Originally a part of the New South Wales Labor Party, the ALP National Conference established an autonomous ACT Branch in 1973. [1] There have been four Labor Chief Ministers since self-government in 1989. The most recent is the current Chief Minister, Andrew Barr, who has served since 2014.

The ACT Labor has been in Government since 2001.

The current ACT Labor Platform notes that the objective of the party is social justice and the pursuit of a fair, just and equitable society. [2]

History

Pre-1973 Autonomy (1930–1973)

In 1930, the first ACT ALP Branch was established as part of the NSW party. The first meeting was held at the Friendly Society's hall at Kingston. The party endorsed candidates for the Advisory Council and also for the Canberra Community Hospital Board.

In 1931, the Branch called a meeting of trade union representatives which resulted in the formation of the ACT Trades and Labour Council. During the 1940s the party continued to grow. It met monthly in either the Civic or Kingston Hotels.

The party lobbied for federal representation and in 1949, Canberrans elected their first federal member. Initially an independent was elected but shortly after Jim Fraser won the seat for the ALP. Fraser held the seat for 19 years until his death. However he was limited to voting only on Territorial matters until 1966.

In 1951, a second ACT Branch was established in Jervis Bay. A South Canberra Branch was established in 1957 which led to the establishment of a Canberra Federal Electorate Council of the NSW Branch.

1968 saw a challenge to the preselection of Jim Fraser within the ALP. The issue was the Vietnam War and it involved a North-South split. The contender Gordon Walsh won the preselection, but this was later overturned by the NSW Branch.

During this time the Australian National University was a major source of members of the party and various academics were active participants in its affairs. For example, in 1968 the Canberra City (North) Branch had 118 members of which 13 were undergraduates, 14 were postgraduate students and 10 were academics.

Pre-Self Government (1973–1989)

In 1973 the ALP National Conference established an autonomous ACT Branch and the present structure was established. The ACT electorate was divided into two electorates of Canberra and Fraser (after Jim Fraser not Malcolm) and two Senate positions were established in 1974.

The women's movement has exerted a strong influence on the ACT Branch. In 1974 Susan Ryan was preselected for the Senate and the Branch has a history of electing women as its candidates and party officials. Joan Taggart from the ACT Branch was elected junior vice-president of the ALP in 1979, [3] thereby becoming the first woman to hold a national office bearer post in the Labor Party. [4] In 1983 Ryan became the first Labor woman Federal Minister. In 1987 Ros Kelly became the first Labor woman Federal Minister in the House of Representatives. In 1989, Rosemary Follett became the first woman Chief Minister or Premier of any State or Territory in Australia, and then the first woman in Australia's history to attend the Premiers Conference.

While Canberra has largely been an exclusively Federal concern it has nevertheless had a partial elected Advisory Council since 1930. The ALP has endorsed candidates to the different versions of this body since its inception. In 1974 the Advisory Council was replaced by a fully elected advisory body titled the Legislative Assembly. In the first elections the ALP won only 4 out of the 18 positions.

The Federal Liberal government held a referendum on self-government in 1978. The referendum was conducted in such a way as to ensure a negative outcome. Following the referendum, the ACT House of Assembly was created which had similar advisory powers to the old Legislative Assembly. In the 1979 and 1982 elections Labor won 8 of the 18 positions.

ACT Self-Government (Post–1989)

The House of Assembly was abolished in 1987 to make way for a self-governing body. A fully autonomous Legislative Assembly was finally established in 1989 and Labor captured 5 of the 17 positions. As Labor was the largest party, Rosemary Follett, the Labor Assembly Leader, was able to form the first government. Rosemary Follett held office for 7 months until a coalition of Liberals and others organised a spill.

Labor re-took power in June 1991 after a successful no-confidence motion was moved against the Liberal-Residents Rally Alliance Government. ACT Elections were held in February 1992 and Labor was returned to power with the number of MLAs increased from five to eight, only one short of majority Government. After the 1995 and 1998 elections Labor formed the Opposition to a minority Liberal government.

Labor won back Government on 20 October 2001 and retained government at the elections held in 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2020. Labor's election win in 2004 was particularly significant as it was the first and, so far, only time a single party has won a majority in the ACT's Legislative Assembly.

The Norfolk Island Labor Party operated as a sub-branch of ACT Labor until it faded away sometime after 2015. [5]

Leadership

Leaders

#Leader
(birth–death)
ElectorateTerm startTerm endTime in officeChief Minister (term)
Labor Placeholder.png R.R. O'Keefe2 August 1964 [6] [7] [8] 8 July 19672 years, 340 daysN/A
Labor Placeholder.png Gordon Walsh
(1932–2000)
Canberra
(1974–1977)
8 July 1967 [9] 26 January 19779 years, 202 days
Labor Placeholder.png Peter Vallee Fraser 26 January 1977 [10] [11] 29 April 1982 5 years, 93 days
Labor Placeholder.png Robyn Walmsley
(acting)
(born 1947)
Canberra 29 April 1982 23 June 1982 55 days
Labor Placeholder.png Ken Doyle Canberra 23 June 1982 7 March 1983 257 days
Labor Placeholder.png Maurene Horder
(born 1950)
Canberra 7 March 1983 28 June 1985 2 years, 113 days
Labor Placeholder.png Paul Whalan
(born 1941)
Canberra 28 June 1985 30 June 19861 year, 2 days
RosemaryFollett.jpg Rosemary Follett
(born 1948)
Molonglo
(1995–1996)
17 December 1988 5 March 19967 years, 79 days
Herself(1989–1989)
Kaine (1989–1991)
Herself(1991–1995)
Carnell (1995–2000)
Labor Placeholder.png Andrew Whitecross
(born 1963)
Brindabella 5 March 199619 August 19971 year, 167 days
Labor Placeholder.png Wayne Berry
(born 1942)
Ginninderra 19 August 199721 February 1998186 days
JonStanhope2006.jpg Jon Stanhope
(born 1951)
Ginninderra 19 March 199812 May 201113 years, 54 days
Humphries (2000–2001)
Himself(2001–2011)
Katy Gallagher portrait.jpg Katy Gallagher
(born 1970)
Molonglo 16 May 201110 December 20143 years, 208 daysHerself(2011–2014)
AndrewBarrportrait (cropped).jpg Andrew Barr
(born 1973)
Molonglo
(2006–2016)
Kurrajong
(2016–present)
11 December 2014Incumbent9 years, 326 daysHimself(2014–present)

Territory election results

ElectionLeaderSeats±Votes %Position
1989 Rosemary Follett
5 / 17
Increase2.svg532,370Increase2.svg22.8%Minority government
1992
8 / 17
Increase2.svg362,155Increase2.svg39.92%
1995
6 / 17
Decrease2.svg252,276Decrease2.svg31.6%Opposition
1998 Wayne Berry
6 / 17
Steady2.svg49,798Decrease2.svg27.7%
2001 Jon Stanhope
8 / 17
Increase2.svg279,616Increase2.svg41.7%Minority government
2004
9 / 17
Increase2.svg195,635Increase2.svg46.8%Majority government
2008
7 / 17
Decrease2.svg279,126Decrease2.svg37.4%Minority government
2012 Katy Gallagher
8 / 17
Increase2.svg185,991Increase2.svg38.9% Coalition government
2016 Andrew Barr
12 / 25
Increase2.svg493,770Decrease2.svg38.4%
2020
10 / 25
Decrease2.svg2101,693Decrease2.svg37.8%
2024
10 / 25
82,404Decrease2.svg34.5%

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Country Liberal Party</span> Northern Territory political party

The Country Liberal Party of the Northern Territory (CLP), commonly known as the Country Liberals, is a centre-right and conservative political party in Australia's Northern Territory. In territory politics, it operates in a two-party system with the Australian Labor Party (ALP). It also contests federal elections as an affiliate of the Liberal Party of Australia and National Party of Australia, the two partners in the federal coalition.

The premiers and chief ministers of the Australian states and territories are the heads of the executive governments in the six states and two self-governing territories of Australia. They perform the same function at the state and territory level as the Prime Minister of Australia performs at the national level. The King of Australia and the state governors are the formal repositories of executive power; however, in practice they act only on the advice of state premiers and ministers except in extreme circumstances, such as a constitutional crisis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gary Humphries</span> Australian politician (born 1958)

Gary John Joseph Humphries is a Deputy President of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. He was a member of the Australian Senate representing the Australian Capital Territory for the Liberal Party of Australia from 2003 to 2013. He was the Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory from 2000 to 2001; and was elected to the first parliament of the Australian Capital Territory, in 1989, later representing the Molonglo electorate until 2003.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly</span> Unicameral legislature of the Australian Capital Territory

The Legislative Assembly for the Australian Capital Territory is the unicameral legislature of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). It sits in the Legislative Assembly Building on Civic Square, close to the centre of the city of Canberra.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rosemary Follett</span> Australian politician

Rosemary Follett is an Australian former politician who was the first Chief Minister of Australian Capital Territory, serving in 1989 and again between 1991 and 1995. She was the first woman to become head of government in an Australian state or territory.

The Residents Rally (RR), officially known as the Residents Rally for Canberra Inc and also known simply the Rally, was an Australian political party that was active during the early years of self-government in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). It was led by human rights lawyer Bernard Collaery, who described it as a "community-based urban green party".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trevor Kaine</span> Australian politician (1928–2008)

Trevor Thomas Kaine, was an Australian politician who served as Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory from 1989 to 1991. Kaine was elected into a multi-member single electorate in the unicameral Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly, from 1989 to 2001, initially as a member of the Liberal Party and later as an independent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1989 Australian Capital Territory general election</span>

The 1989 Australian Capital Territory general election was held on 4 March 1989 to elect the 1st Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly. This was the first direct election by voters in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) for their power legislative body.

Wayne Bruce Berry is an Australian former politician who was a member of the unicameral Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly from 1989 to 2008, representing the electorate of Ginninderra for the Labor Party. Berry served as Deputy Chief Minister from 1991 to 1994, Leader of the Opposition from 1997 to 1998 and Speaker of the Assembly from 2001 to 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1992 Australian Capital Territory general election</span>

Elections to the 1992 Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly was held on Saturday, 15 February, alongside a referendum on an electoral system for future elections. The incumbent Labor Party, led by Rosemary Follett, was challenged by the Liberal Party, led by Trevor Kaine. Candidates were elected to fill seats using the modified d'Hondt electoral system for a multi-member single constituency. The result was another hung parliament. However, Labor, with the largest representation in the 17-member unicameral Assembly, formed Government with the support of Michael Moore and Helen Szuty. Follett was elected Chief Minister at the first sitting of the second Assembly on 27 March 1992.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1995 Australian Capital Territory general election</span>

The 1995 Australian Capital Territory general election was held on 18 February 1995 to elect all 17 members of the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly. A referendum on entrenching the ACT's electoral system was also held alongside the election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Molonglo electorate</span>

The Molonglo electorate was one of the three electorates for the unicameral 17-member Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly between 1995 and 2016. It had seven seats, and was the largest of the three electorates in terms of population.

The Australian Capital Territory House of Assembly was the main elected representative body of the Australian Capital Territory between 1975 and 1986, during which time preparation began for the granting of self-government to the Territory. The Assembly had a largely advisory role, with most of the power over the Territory being in the hands of the relevant federal minister.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Kennedy (Australian politician)</span> Australian politician

Andrew David Kennedy is an Australian radio broadcaster and former politician. He was a member of the House of Representatives from 1969 to 1972, representing the Division of Bendigo for the Australian Labor Party (ALP). He later served in the Victorian Legislative Assembly from 1982 to 1992, representing the seats of Bendigo (1982–1985) and Bendigo West (1985–1992). He was a schoolteacher prior to entering politics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Meredith Hunter (politician)</span> Australian politician

Meredith Hunter is an Australian former politician who was a member of the multi-member unicameral Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly representing the electorate of Ginninderra for the ACT Greens from 2008 to 2012. She was also the Parliamentary Convenor of the ACT Greens.

Andrew Whitecross is an Australian former politician who was a member of the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly from 1995-1998, elected to the multi-member electorate of Brindabella for the Labor Party. Whitecross was elected the third ACT Legislative Assembly at the 1995 general election as a Labor member. He succeeded former Chief Minister Rosemary Follett as Leader of the Opposition in March 1996, and continued in that position until his replacement by Wayne Berry in August 1997. He recontested the seat at the 1998 general election, but was unsuccessful.

Paul Russell Whalan is an Australian political lobbyist and former politician who was a member of the first Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly. He served as the leader of the ACT Labor Party in the mid-1980s and was the leader of the party's Right faction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 Australian Capital Territory general election</span>

A general election for the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly was held on Saturday, 15 October 2016.

Western Australia politics takes place in context of a constitutional monarchy with a bicameral parliamentary system, and like other Australian states, Western Australia is part of the federation known as the Commonwealth of Australia.

The ACT Labor Party, the division of the Australian Labor Party in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), have held a number of leadership elections and deputy leadership elections. The most recent was held in November 2020, although the most recent leadership change was in December 2014.

References

  1. "History of ACT Labor". ACT Labor. Archived from the original on 10 July 2015. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  2. "ACT Platform 2014–15" (PDF). ACT Labor. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 July 2015. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  3. "Canberra Times: "Labor Party post", 14 July 1979, p 11, via Trove". Canberra Times. 14 July 1979. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
  4. "ACT Legislative Assembly Hansard, 18 February 2003" . Retrieved 10 April 2021.
  5. "Australian Capital Territory Government". ACT Labor Party. Archived from the original on 24 October 2023.
  6. "A. D. Fraser off Hospital ticket". The Canberra Times. 3 August 1964. p. 1. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  7. "A.L.P. advocacy of new industries". The Canberra Times. 31 August 1964. p. 6. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  8. "Men not measures in sluggish election". The Canberra Times. 12 September 1964. p. 2. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  9. "A.L.P. POLL TICKET". The Canberra Times. 10 July 1967. p. 3. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  10. "Meeting soon on Liberal leadership". The Canberra Times. 5 January 1977. p. 9. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  11. Myerscough, Ian (27 January 1977). "Walsh will resign from Assembly". The Canberra Times. p. 3. Retrieved 23 October 2024.