Australian Labor Party caucus

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So we're using Australia as a starting point for the Mock Parliament's revival, and to start we're only using two parties. This will be the main discussion board for the ALP for leadership elections, policy decisions and the like. For those who don't know, Australian Labor is the country's major center-left party, heavily linked with the unions and generally socially progressive (although a Catholic-dominated Right Faction, which is quite socially conservative, exists IRL as well). So if you'd like to be a part of the new Mock Parliament as a Labor member, state your interest below and we'll go from there.

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Sure, I think seat claiming now is fine; probably best to choose a safe Labor seat IRL though, for the sake of the GM when simulating elections- and I don't think you have to stick with a real life parliamentarian either, but it's up to you.

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And so, I'll claim Anthony Albanese representing the division of Grayndler.

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Name: Dave Astuzia
Age: 44
Party: Labor
Mini Bio: Born to relatively poor Italian migrants in Leichardt in Sydney's inner-west following the wave of Italian migration to Australia in the 1960s. Attended public schools for most of his education, before studying and completing a degree in political science at the University of NSW. Worked for the ALP as a campaign strategist on six state and federal election campaigns before entering Parliament as the member for Grayndler aged 35, a seat in which he has increased his electoral majority at every election since.
Address: Haberfield, NSW
Electorate: Grayndler
Place of Birth: Leichardt, NSW
Occupation: Campaign Strategist, Speech Writer, Politician
Property Owned: Detached house
Religion: Raised Catholic but now a self-described atheist
Sexuality: Married with three children, though rumours abound that Astuzia is in fact bisexual
Addictions: Overeats often
Medical Conditions: Propensity to over-stress; occasional anger management problems

Aside: If we are going to change the name (I don't really think we need to but I'm not fussed) something like Social Democratic Party would probably be best.

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Given that I am not familiar with Australian electoral geography, I would appreciate if someone would assign me a suitable electorate

Name: Gordon Menzies
Age: 32
Party: Labor
Mini Bio: Born Melbourne to Gordon Menzies, a Scottish ex-pat and financier and Sandra Pennefather, Gordon was privately educated at Strathallan School in Scotland from 6-18. He returned to Australia at age 18 for university becoming actively involved in politics. He graduated with a degree in architecture and was elected to the Parliament of Victoria in a by-election at the age of 25. He was elected to the relatively safe Labor seat of X in 2010.

To the right of his party, he is however an avowed social liberal and outspoken atheist. He has a slight narcissist. He regularly appears on chat shows and panel shows and has appeared on the cover of Men's Health.

Address: X
Electorate: X
Place of Birth: Melbourne, Victoria
Occupation: Architect, Journalist
Property Owned: Numerous.
Religion: None
Sexuality: Gay. Single
Addictions: Known to overwork and to bed hop.
Medical Conditions: None

Did you name your (left-wing) character after Australia's longest serving conservative Prime Minister on purpose?

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I agree with Platypus in encouraging any new members of the mock parliament to join the LNP (and indeed those already members of the mock parliament to notify others of this parliament's existence and encourage them to join).

To get the ball rolling on this (the sooner each of the parties are sorted out, the sooner we can elect a Speaker of the House and begin Parliament) I think we need to clear up two key issues:
the process of selecting frontbenchers and obviously the party name. The party leader/chair can be elected once we've established these issues.

So hopefully no one is against me initiating the following motions:

Party Name (please preference votes)
[    ] Australian Labor Party
[    ] Progressive Reform Party
[    ] Social Democratic Party
[    ] Write-in: ________________

How should frontbenchers (ministers/shadow ministers) be appointed? (please cross next to preference)
[    ] Appointed by Party Leader
[    ] Elected by the caucus to each individual ministry
Note that under either of the above scenarios, the Deputy Leader would be elected by the caucus just like the Party Leader.

I say we close voting on these two motions in 48 hours- 2pm, Saturday 13th UTC. From there, we can hold elections on the party leadership and deputy leadership and hopefully look toward convening with the LNP to vote for a Speaker/GM and commence parliament shortly after.

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Party Name (please preference votes)
[ 1 ] Australian Labor Party
[ 3 ] Progressive Reform Party
[ 2 ] Social Democratic Party
[    ] Write-in: ________________

How should frontbenchers (ministers/shadow ministers) be appointed? (please cross next to preference)
[ X ] Appointed by Party Leader
[    ] Elected by the caucus to each individual ministry

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So as the others have said, the factional divide in the ALP is much less about economics and is more an issue of the Catholic-dominated Right Faction's conservative social values. And so I'd certainly be a part of the Socialist Left (which, to keep things clear, is something of a misnomer- it is no more 'socialist' economically than the right faction).

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I know we're still a few hours from the cut-off and afleitch hasn't voted yet, but both motions are already guaranteed a majority among the seven people already registered and we might as well keep this moving. So:

The party will be known as the Australian Labor Party with the motion for that name passing 5-1.

Members of the frontbench and their respective ministries will be chosen by the Party Leader, but the Deputy Leader (who, to reiterate, is elected by the caucus) must be given a ministry portfolio as well. This follows the motion on the issue that passed 5-1.

Now, to the leadership. If you're interested, please nominate your character for either the leadership or deputy leadership following the example below. Nominations for the leadership will close in 36 hours, at 6pm Sunday 14th July UTC. Once we've voted on the leader we can hold a deputy leadership ballot, and nominations for the deputy position will be open until after the leadership ballot.

e.g:
Nominating [Character name] for the [party leadership/deputy leadership].

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Nominating Dave Astuzia for the Deputy Leadership.

"Having discussed the matter with my friends and family, I feel now is the time for me step into a greater role in the leadership of the party and help guide Australia forward as a socially progressive and economically pragmatic nation. I believe the only way to seek progress in this country is to meet the societal challenges that we face today, by taking real action to defend our environment, by ensuring that everyone has the basic right to marry, and by effectively and compassionately dealing with the desperate people who arrive on our shores by boat seeking asylum. In order to achieve these goals, I have decided I will seek the party's endorsement for Deputy Leader. I wish to also make clear that if a member of the Right Faction is elected to the leadership, I will retract my nomination for Deputy Leader immediately in the interests of having a united leadership group. Any member elected to the leadership will nevertheless have my full support and backing.

It is my great desire to see the Australian Labor Party fulfill its true role as a modernizer and as a beacon for progress that leads me to today announce that I will run for the party's deputy leadership. Thankyou."

The Honourable Dave Astuzia
Member for Grayndler

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So the leadership ballot will be between Willow Wong of the Left Faction and Tom Henry, who is as yet unaligned. Only members registered up to this point- of which there are 8 -will be eligible to vote. The ballot will close in 30 hours (9am, 16 July UTC) and will be followed by a limited nomination period and then a vote on the Deputy Leadership.

Votes edited more than 20 minutes after posting will be rendered void. Please make clear your vote for one of the candidates by naming them in bold below.

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Willow Wong

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And that's a wrap folks. Tom Henry is the new Prime Minister of Australia and leader of the ALP, having defeated Willow Wong 4-3 in the caucus ballot. We'll have a little interlude in case of any more candidates for the deputy leadership, and then we'll vote on that position.

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Statement from the office of Dave Astuzia, MP:

"I would like to congratulate Tom Henry on his election to the Prime Ministership, and I am certain that the Labor Party will have a strong future under his leadership, a leadership that we can all unite behind. We now turn our attention to the deputy leadership ballot. As I made clear earlier, I will contest this ballot in the interests of the future of our party and of our nation. I believe the election for the deputy leadership is not a choice that should be taken lightly, and should be a choice framed by practical policy and planning. If I am elected deputy, I will continue to fight for progress in Australia, accompanied by sound economic policy. If elected deputy I will bring my ideas for Australia’s future to the leadership table, and I challenge the other nominees for the deputy position to present their own unique plans for discussion.

Here are some ideas I’ll introduce for discussion if elected to be a part of the leadership team:
-   Legislation to ensure marriage equality
-   The development of a pathway towards an Australian Republic via a referendum
-   An expansion in funding for research concerning climate change and the continuation of a
     strong and effective carbon tax
-   Reducing government funding for private and independent schools and diverting this
     money into the public education system which needs the money most
-   Modifying the tax code to lessen the tax burden on low income earners by cutting taxes in
     the lower tax brackets whilst making up for the lost revenue by creating a new tax
     bracket for millionaires, with higher rates

I feel that I can be an asset to the party in parliament and for the upcoming election. I believe my policy ideas are right for the future of modern Labor and of Australia, and I very much hope the caucus will trust in me to ensure the best possible future for the Australian Labor Party by electing me to the Deputy Leadership."

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Sure, it doesn't seem likely that we'll get any more candidate declarations so we can get underway now.

This ballot is for the deputy leadership and voting will close in just over thirty hours time, at 5pm July 17 UTC. Votes edited later than twenty minutes after their posting will be rendered void, as will votes that fail to preference through all candidates. The ballot is between Colin Elliot and Dave Astuzia of the Left faction and Kevan Jahanshahi of the Labor Right.

Sample ballot:

Ballot for the Deputy Leadership (please preference 1-3)
[   ] Keven Jahanshahi
[   ] Colin Elliot
[   ] Dave Astuzia

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[ 3 ] Keven Jahanshahi
[ 2 ] Colin Elliot
[ 1 ] Dave Astuzia

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I think it should be a group effort, although perhaps the minister can provide a framework/proposal initially that can then be presented for workshopping to the caucus.

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[ 3 ] Keven Jahanshahi
[ 1 ] Colin Elliott
[ 2 ] Dave Astuzia

Good luck with the job, Dave. You seem to be the choice.

Also, for future reference, two T's in Elliott.

It doesn't seem to be over yet! Sorry about the name though, I'll remember that in future.

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Voting closed a while ago, sorry. But we now have the problematic situation of a 3-3 tie...

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I'd like to thank Colin Elliott for his good grace in putting the party first, and I look forward to working with him in cabinet. Thankyou also to the caucus for putting their trust in me to be party deputy- you will not be disappointed.

I expect the Prime Minister to allocate cabinet positions shortly, of which there will be six portfolios available as per the current Speaker's instructions (Treasury, Foreign Ministry, Attorney General, Health Ministry, Infrastructure Ministry and Environment Ministry). There will also be designated Speaker should we win the election, and with 8 people currently signed up that means everyone is guaranteed a role.

OOC: Just as an aside Kevan, the 3-3 result was after your preferences had already been distributed to Colin Elliott: your withdrawal wouldn't have changed the vote tally from a deadlocked tie.

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As I said earlier, I think we should make a republic referendum a part of our platform for the upcoming election (I'm bringing it up because it's a policy area that the current speaker hasn't brought up in advising on the election).

Thoughts?

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I mean, our party's official platform is Republican, as are my (and probably most of the caucus') views, but it's nigh on impossible for the LNP to argue against providing people with a choice at least.

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Seriously?

Those things are not mutually exclusive. We can increase living standards and focus on economic priorities as well as implementing important social reforms. It's not as though providing marriage equality or a Republic prevents us from acting on other issues. This is a socially progressive party and we shouldn't be shirking away from that fact just because there are 'more important issues' to deal with.

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I won't participate in dragging this party and this country back to the 1950s.

^This.

Socially progressive policy is a key part of the ALP platform. We can focus on improving living standards and building this economy, but that doesn't mean we should prevent the implementation of our social policy. Let's have a bit of ambition and recognise that we can do more than just focus on the policy basics.

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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.