The Left faction takeover of the Labor Party is expected to be all but complete at the national conference in August, prompting concern from a former MP over the party’s long-term support of AUKUS and Israel.
Right faction sources told The Australian they were concerned the conference would be the first time in 70 years that the Left would have a majority on the floor, paving the way for a more left-wing platform binding the parliamentary party.
Left faction MPs are also expecting a slim majority of numbers at the national conference, although some believe neither faction will have a majority because of an increase in non-aligned delegates.
The concern within the Right over the structural change to the party comes as the Left-dominated Victorian Labor conference at the weekend called on the Albanese government to recognise a Palestinian state before the next election, setting the stage for the matter to become a focal point at the national conference in Brisbane.
Former Labor Right MP Michael Danby said the national conference would see Left faction heavyweights battling between staying loyal to Anthony Albanese and raising concerns on issues such as AUKUS.
“State by state delegate allegiances mean that for the first time since the great split of 1955, the Socialist Left will command a clear majority,” he said.
Read the article by Sarah Ison in The Australian.