Australian Labor Party caucus

[afleitch]

Social dinosaurs belong with our opponents.  People who say 'lets not focus on the gays etc' tend to be the one's obsessed with it. On the matter of portfolio's I would be happy with infrastructure or health. But ultimately my ambition comes secondary to the party need.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

I'm not suggesting that we adopt a conservative line on such matters, not at all. But you all need to remember that elections are won in the outer suburbs and in the regional electorates, not in the affluent inner cities. We can include all manner of useful reforms in our programme, of course. But the emphasis must be on living standards and better public services.

[Hifly]

As has been kindly pointed out, elections are not won in the inner cities, but in the outer suburbs, which are often filled with socially conservative and religious swing voters. Polling done in some of these seats has often shown opposition to SSM to be much larger than on average.

[afleitch]

As has been kindly pointed out, elections are not won in the inner cities, but in the outer suburbs, which are often filled with socially conservative and religious swing voters. Polling done in some of these seats has often shown opposition to SSM to be much larger than on average.

Mr Connor does not require a pet parrot.

[Dr. Cynic]

Getting back to the issue of ministerial portfolios, I'll leave it up to Tom, but I would ask that he not stick me in the treasury. My talent, whatever it may be, is certainly not with numbers.

[morgieb]

OK, right now I going to do:

Deputy Leader & Foreign Affairs: Dave Astuzia
Attorney-General: Kevan Jahanshahi
Infrastructure, Transport & Women: Willow Wong-Jones
Health & Industrial Relations: Colin Elliott
Treasurer: Andrew Lawson
Environment & Immigration: Gordon Menzies

Who have I missed?

[Cappuccino]

I think Frank Connor is the only MP without a ministry; I assume he is Speaker-Designate?

On another note, I agree that living standards and economic policy are the most important issues in this election, but they shouldn't prevent us from spending at least a little time on social policy. Legislating for marriage equality and an Australian Republic (in this case simply providing a choice via referendum) are both part of our party's platform as agreed at the most recent ALP National Convention in 2011. If anyone disagrees with taking our party's already-established position on these policies to the election then please say so and the caucus can vote on the issue.

[Cappuccino]

We should also probably start discussing our core policy positions in order to develop a comprehensive plan for this election. The Speaker has already identified eight core policy areas which we need to address, and I'd suggest that we give each of these areas to the most relevant minister/MP so they can brainstorm on the issue, and then present their ideas to the caucus for discussion and debate.

So if we do that, perhaps these key policy areas could be allocated for brainstorming as follows?

Budgetary Philosophy- Andrew Lawson
The Environment- Gordon Menzies
Education- Whoever the PM decides will take on the Education Ministry
Asylum Seekers- Since Mr. Menzies will already have the environment to do, perhaps I could take this on, since it is closely linked with international relations and may involve negotiation with Indonesia etc.
Infrastructure Project- Willow Wong
Aged care- Colin Elliott
Live animal exports Kevan Jahanshahi
Auto manufacturing- Tom Henry perhaps, since this doesn't involve a specific ministry

These are just suggestions, as I say.

[Hifly]

Another matter of procedure: are we going to do block votes on all issues (with obvious exceptions on Abortion, Euthanasia and Gay Marriage), or will free votes be tolerated?

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

I'm open for more free-votes.

[Cappuccino]

OOC: Since the large majority of the caucus are simulated MPs who will presumably be engineered to vote along party lines, a distinction between conscience and whipped votes is essentially immaterial, surely, unless the government has a very small majority.

Edit (also OOC): And Hifly, please stop trying to make abortion an issue, because it isn't one. Abortion is widely available across Aus and is governed by state law anyway. Even the Liberals don't question abortion irl. Limiting abortion access is never going to happen here.

[Knives]

How does everyone like East Coast HSR?

[morgieb]

I think Frank Connor is the only MP without a ministry; I assume he is Speaker-Designate?

On another note, I agree that living standards and economic policy are the most important issues in this election, but they shouldn't prevent us from spending at least a little time on social policy. Legislating for marriage equality and an Australian Republic (in this case simply providing a choice via referendum) are both part of our party's platform as agreed at the most recent ALP National Convention in 2011. If anyone disagrees with taking our party's already-established position on these policies to the election then please say so and the caucus can vote on the issue.

Didn't see Frank Connor put his rego in. Assuming he's part of the party, he gets Education.

Speaker is hugh for now I believe.

[Cappuccino]

I think Frank Connor is the only MP without a ministry; I assume he is Speaker-Designate?

On another note, I agree that living standards and economic policy are the most important issues in this election, but they shouldn't prevent us from spending at least a little time on social policy. Legislating for marriage equality and an Australian Republic (in this case simply providing a choice via referendum) are both part of our party's platform as agreed at the most recent ALP National Convention in 2011. If anyone disagrees with taking our party's already-established position on these policies to the election then please say so and the caucus can vote on the issue.

Didn't see Frank Connor put his rego in. Assuming he's part of the party, he gets Education.

Speaker is hugh for now I believe.

Yeah Hugh's in charge at the moment but I think he said he was planning to step down and join one of the parties once parliament is formed, so if we form government we may have to elect a speaker from our own ranks.

[Platypus]

Indeed, if you win, you provide the speaker; if you lose, you provide the deputy speaker.

Also the precise ministries are in the other thread, and Education comes under Community Services unless the PM choose to take it on himself.

[Swedish Rainbow Capitalist Cheese]

Who're your speaker to be? I want to know who my rival for the job is.

[Hifly]

When and where should we report our core policy ideas?

[Cappuccino]

I think it's fine to post here, and from there we can discuss the policy propositions. With that in mind, here is a link to my plan for processing asylum seekers- it is complex but the issue itself is an extremely problematic one and I believe this plan addresses the key issues.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/191274752/ALP%20ASP.pdf

[Dr. Cynic]

I'm not all that well versed yet on Australia's aged care, so I was trying to find the RL ALP manifesto to see what I could figure out.

For aged care, I think we should continue to provide a living wage for retiree's and I'd like to open additional hospices and see to stronger oversight of nursing homes.

Of course if anyone knows where I can find a paper on the RL policy, please link me because I haven't found it and I'd like to review it to create our own position.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Great work... I'll be doing some economic work in the next day or two.

[lilTommy]

Howdie y'all! is it too late to join the Labor Party? I was pretty active in the first model parliament but i've been away... i'd like to join up please!

If yes... here is my character:

Name: Keegan Desautels
Age: 32
Party: Labor
Bio: One of four children born into a working class French/Australian family; An Australian Mother a former foreign student worked for the city government; while his French father worked in the one of Lilles factories. In the mid-80s at the age of 4 Keegan's family moved to Melbourne, the home town of his Mother. The family opened a Cooperative Bakery and market in St. Kilda where Keegan worked, He developed a love of carpentry following after his father and helped expand the Coop to sell handcrafted works. Was very politically active in public school not only within the ALP but with environmental and anti-globalization groups; also very active in sport, playing rules football, rugby, water polo and swimming. While at university he played on the Aussie National Water polo team. Graduated from Monash University with a Master in Urban and Regional Planning with a focus on sustainability. While there he served as an elected member of the student union and wrote for the student paper, Lot's Wife. He worked with The Big Issue Australia as a coordinator before taking a run at LGA politics. At the age of 22, in a surprise victory, he was elected Councillor for Catani ward in the City of Port Phillip. In 2010 he was elected in Melbourne Ports, caused a national sensation when it was revealed that Keegan and fellow Labor MP Gordon Menzies had a year long sex-based relationship. They remain friends... only.

Economically and socially left; government ownership, universal education and health and green economy, supportive of local economies (high corporate tax, zero small business tax). He along with Willow advocates an end to factions, but sits with the socialist left.

Address: St. Kilda, Victoria
Electorate: Melbourne Ports (if its free)
Place of Birth: Lille, France
Occupation: Non-profit advocate, Councillor, Athlete, Artist
Religion: Prominent Atheist
Sexuality: Gay, Common Law (vocal SSM advocate)
Addictions/Medical conditions: Gym & fitness; wine fan (daily but never to excess... rarely to excess), nude beaches.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

I suggest a massive nationwide programme of infrastructure building and the like.

[Dr. Cynic]

I'd encourage everyone to submit their policy ideas as quickly as possible since the Speaker has announced the election will begin shortly, and at the moment all we have is a platform on asylum seekers.

What is the RL policy on aged care? I would know it so I can submit a proper proposal, but as yet, I've not found it, not even in the ALP's online platform.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

I'll be outlining economic policy tomorrow

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Economic Policy

- The priority of the government is the transition to the post-mining boom reality. We will encourage greater economic diversification and while we are committed to returning our Budget to surplus, we will not announce arbitrary deadlines.  We will not risk services and this approach is considered welcome and sensible by all credit-rating agencies.

- We will make the resources rent tax work. We will institute maximum deductibility against liability to a maximum of 50% of total taxation liability. This will also extend to jurisdictions claiming deductions. The Act as it currently is, provides too many loopholes that are being exploited to a massive degree. We are committed to good-faith negotiations but if re-elected we will amend the Act to make it work better for all Australians.

- We need to take stock of the support payments made, almost automatically to people, regardless of income. If these are indeed 'support' payments, then why are they made to people without any need for support. It is the height of fiscal prudence to ensure that support is direct to those who actually need it.