Fifty-six Labor branches have submitted motions to the New South Wales state conference calling for controversial anti-protest laws to be repealed or reviewed. The entire left faction has backed a motion to repeal two of the laws, which were passed by the former Coalition government and supported by Labor. The laws include penalties of up to two years in jail for blocking major facilities and restrictions on protests outside places of worship.
Conference agenda sparks debate over rank-and-file voice
Some Labor members are concerned that the protest laws debate will be sidelined after being scheduled second last on the agenda. In a press conference on Friday, Labor party member Asrah Sobh said it was an attempt to 'shut down branch members' voices.' Sobh stated, 'The single most submitted issue to state conference was in the social justice and affairs chapter, and that is the right to protest... Chris Minns is essentially not listening to his rank and file.' The premier was approached for comment.
Train manufacturing announcement expected
Premier Chris Minns will address the party on Saturday and is expected to announce a plan to bring train manufacturing back to the Hunter region. He will tell delegates, 'For over 100 years, the best trains in the world were proudly made by union workers in NSW.' The government has committed $12bn over 15 years but has not specified a start date or accounted for it in the recent state budget. Two potential sites for a state-owned, privately operated facility have been identified in Teralba and Broadmeadow, with 780 construction jobs and 550 ongoing manufacturing jobs expected.
Left faction motion on protest laws
The Labor left motion argues that the anti-protest laws 'have not delivered that outcome and have instead created conditions where tension and violence at protests are more likely to occur.' It references 'disturbing scenes' at a 9 February rally against the Israeli president. Legal Observers NSW released a report on Friday finding 'collective and systemic police escalation' after reviewing 150 videos and witness statements.
Palestine, Aukus, and gambling also on agenda
No debate is scheduled on the 'Australia and the World' committee report, which includes an endorsement of Aukus, despite no branch motions supporting that view. Labor Friends of Palestine and Labor Against War wrote to the party's general secretary, calling for debate, noting that 14 party units were 'unanimous' in condemning ongoing violence in Palestine. Gambling reform is another key issue, with Inner West mayor Darcy Byrne stating, 'For too long, the private interests of the poker machine lobby have trumped the public interest... this is a crisis that can no longer be ignored.'
