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Tasmanian Labor Party Holds First State Conference Since 2019

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Tasmanian Labor Holds First State Conference in Seven Years

The Tasmanian Labor Party convened its first state conference in seven years in Hobart, gathering parliamentary members, rank-and-file members, union representatives, and party elders. The conference featured speeches from federal ministers, debates on policy motions, and protests on external issues.

Conference Overview and Attendance

The event marked the party's first state conference since 2019, a period during which it has lost three consecutive state elections. Attendees included Tasmanian Labor leader and education spokesperson Josh Willie, state parliamentary members Anita Dow, Dean Winter, and Shane Broad, and federal ministers Murray Watt and Tanya Plibersek.

Key Speeches and Statements

Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt addressed the conference, stating its return after seven years was significant. He said Tasmania benefits when political groups work together and attributed federal Labor's electoral success in the state to unity and a focus on working people. He listed policy areas where Tasmanian Labor had influenced change from opposition, including voluntary assisted dying, industrial manslaughter laws, and political donations reform.

"For 76 of the last 120 years, Tasmanians have chosen Labor to govern," Federal Minister Tanya Plibersek told attendees, while acknowledging the difficulty of the party's current period in opposition.

Tasmanian Labor leader Josh Willie stated the conference's return indicated the party was ready to move forward after challenging years. He discussed his focus on education, including a plan to extend kindergarten to five days a week. He criticized plans by the public training provider TasTAFE to cut courses and staff for budgetary reasons.

David Genford, president of the Australian Education Union's Tasmanian branch, warned that planned $45 million cuts to TasTAFE would negatively impact the community's future.

Policy Motions and Debates

All motions moved at the conference passed, though they are non-binding on the party. Motions required a show of hands for passage.

Housing and Short-Stay Levy

A significant debate centered on the party's opposition to a government-proposed 5% levy on short-stay accommodation intended to fund first home buyer grants. Members of Young Labor criticized this opposition.

A motion from the Battery Point branch initially proposed a higher 7.5% levy to fund social housing but was amended to remove that specific call. Delegate Heidi Heck argued that opposing a levy contradicted the party's historical values.

The conference passed a motion criticizing the current levy proposal, stating it does not materially help with housing supply. The motion supported a 12-month freeze on new approvals for short-stay listings until rental availability improves and a policy of 0% deposits for first home buyers.

Other Passed Motions

Conference members passed motions on traditional Labor issues, including support for workers at Liberty Bell Bay and education facility attendants. Other passed motions covered the creation of a "Volunteers Day" public holiday, urgent care clinics, food security, bus driver conditions, marijuana decriminalization, pill testing, and Palestine. A pro-Palestine motion passed with a small section of members voting against it.

The issue of greyhound racing was not included in the conference motions.

External Protests

Protesters gathered near the conference venue expressing opposition to the greyhound racing industry and salmon farming. One protester called for Labor to change its stance on salmon farming.

Political Context

  • The state Labor party has lost the last five state elections, with the last being its worst result in over a century. The party is on its third leader since its last period in government and holds fewer seats than the crossbench in the current parliament.
  • In contrast, the federal branch of Tasmanian Labor holds four out of five lower house seats in Tasmania, with Julie Collins serving as a minister and Rebecca White as an assistant minister. The party also holds a third of Tasmania's senate seats.
  • The latest EMRS opinion polling places state Labor at 23% support.
  • Under Tasmania's Hare-Clark preferential voting system and a 35-seat parliament, both major parties have struggled to win a majority. In the last election, the Liberals polled 40% and formed a minority government. Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff holds an approval rating of about 40%.