Thank you so much for joining us on day two of the 49th ALP conference. It can be dry at times and difficult to convey everything that is happening, but we truly appreciate your interest.
We don’t take it for granted and it is heartening to see – spending some of your time and energy to engage with your democracy – even just checking up on what the governing party is doing/debating is incredible, given the everyday pressures and competition for your interest. So thank you.
Major conference news will be carried in the Australia live blog tomorrow, with Politics Live going back on hiatus until parliament resumes on 4 September.
I’m really looking forward to being back with you again, and our chats. But until then, check back on the site for all your political news, and take care of you.
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Day two of ALP national conference
Today was a long day, so let’s review it in a quick bite-size piece for you.
The party had its biggest barney over Aukus, but ultimately the political arm prevailed and explicit support for Aukus remains in the party platform.
A 32-paragraph “statement in detail” has been added to the platform on Aukus, saying it will be carried out in line with “Labor values”.
The Labor MP Josh Wilson openly dissented against supporting Aukus.
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, had to give a speech to the delegates on the issue. The defence industry minister, Pat Conroy, was heckled by observers.
A motion to reaffirm support for Ukraine against the Russian invasion passed – the party resolved to urge Russia to immediately withdraw from Ukraine and for Belarus to stop supporting Russia.
Support for Iranians protesting against the brutal regime was also supported. It called on the government to continue to support Iranians through diplomatic pressure and sanctions.
No resolutions or amendments hit the conference floor on the Israel-Palestine conflict but we heard a speech from each side.
That means there has been no hardening of the Labor position on Israel’s actions.
Some of the wording around supporting refugees was strengthened in the platform. Community support program places will be increased from 5,000 spots to 10,000.
Labor also reaffirmed its commitment to sign and ratify the treaty on the prohibition of nuclear weapons.
Labor recommitted to raising the aid budget to 0.5% of the country’s gross national income. Advocacy groups welcomed the change but say it’s still not enough (and short of the 0.7% called for).
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