This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/jul/05/labors-left-vexed-by-boat-turnbacks-and-china-trade-deal-before-party-conference

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Labor's left vexed by boat turnbacks and China trade deal before party conference Labor's left vexed by boat turnbacks and China trade deal before party conference
(35 minutes later)
Labor’s left faction is yet to settle its position on the politically controversial issue of turning back asylum-seeker boats, ahead of the party’s national conference at the end of the month.Labor’s left faction is yet to settle its position on the politically controversial issue of turning back asylum-seeker boats, ahead of the party’s national conference at the end of the month.
Guardian Australia understands a weekend meeting of the national left in Sydney has not finalised a position on the issue, amid a push from elements of the right faction either to endorse turnbacks explicitly or remain silent on the procedure.Guardian Australia understands a weekend meeting of the national left in Sydney has not finalised a position on the issue, amid a push from elements of the right faction either to endorse turnbacks explicitly or remain silent on the procedure.
Related: Joel Fitzgibbon: Labor should consider adopting asylum boat turnbacks policy
But there is broad support within the national left to update the Labor party’s rules, including moving towards an affirmative action target of 50% of candidates being women, and ensuring that the party’s rank and file have 50% of the say in Senate preselections.But there is broad support within the national left to update the Labor party’s rules, including moving towards an affirmative action target of 50% of candidates being women, and ensuring that the party’s rank and file have 50% of the say in Senate preselections.
The left faction’s attitude towards trade policy, meanwhile, depends in part on how the federal parliamentary party deals with the Abbott government’s trade agreement with China, which has attracted strong concerns within the union movement about provisions making it easier for workers to come to Australia.The left faction’s attitude towards trade policy, meanwhile, depends in part on how the federal parliamentary party deals with the Abbott government’s trade agreement with China, which has attracted strong concerns within the union movement about provisions making it easier for workers to come to Australia.
Left faction-aligned delegates, union representatives and activists met in Sydney on Saturday and Sunday to discuss key issues ahead of the national conference, which will take place in Melbourne from 24 to 26 July.Left faction-aligned delegates, union representatives and activists met in Sydney on Saturday and Sunday to discuss key issues ahead of the national conference, which will take place in Melbourne from 24 to 26 July.
The factional representation at the forthcoming conference will be the most finely balanced in many years, with the left expecting to have about 196 delegates, while there will be about 197 delegates aligned to the right faction and four unaligned delegates.The factional representation at the forthcoming conference will be the most finely balanced in many years, with the left expecting to have about 196 delegates, while there will be about 197 delegates aligned to the right faction and four unaligned delegates.
The national left meeting was intended to develop the faction’s negotiating position on key issues, but its stance on the thorniest issues is not likely to be settled until a meeting of left delegates on the eve of the conference.The national left meeting was intended to develop the faction’s negotiating position on key issues, but its stance on the thorniest issues is not likely to be settled until a meeting of left delegates on the eve of the conference.
Boat turnbacks are considered one of the most contentious issues for the party to grapple with at the conference, and left faction members have long been uneasy with the signature Abbott government policy.Boat turnbacks are considered one of the most contentious issues for the party to grapple with at the conference, and left faction members have long been uneasy with the signature Abbott government policy.
Related: Union calls for Labor to block free trade agreement with ChinaRelated: Union calls for Labor to block free trade agreement with China
The opposition leader, Bill Shorten, and immigration spokesman, Richard Marles, who are both from the Victorian right faction, have been in a holding pattern, publicly calling for less secrecy about boat turnback operations as a precursor to Labor making a definitive call on the policy.The opposition leader, Bill Shorten, and immigration spokesman, Richard Marles, who are both from the Victorian right faction, have been in a holding pattern, publicly calling for less secrecy about boat turnback operations as a precursor to Labor making a definitive call on the policy.
Senior left sources said the faction was yet to resolve the issue of turnbacks, but people were “acutely aware” of significant differences within the party about it.Senior left sources said the faction was yet to resolve the issue of turnbacks, but people were “acutely aware” of significant differences within the party about it.
They were also aware of the political importance of the issue and mindful of the possibility a federal election could be imminent. The prime minister, Tony Abbott, and his immigration minister, Peter Dutton, have already sought to exploit Labor divisions, arguing the party was “tying itself in knots” over boat turnbacks.They were also aware of the political importance of the issue and mindful of the possibility a federal election could be imminent. The prime minister, Tony Abbott, and his immigration minister, Peter Dutton, have already sought to exploit Labor divisions, arguing the party was “tying itself in knots” over boat turnbacks.
Some left figures are pushing for greater emphasis on a regional approach to asylum seekers, including regional processing along the lines mapped out in the 2012 report prepared by a panel headed by former defence chief Angus Houston.Some left figures are pushing for greater emphasis on a regional approach to asylum seekers, including regional processing along the lines mapped out in the 2012 report prepared by a panel headed by former defence chief Angus Houston.
Labor’s draft national platform – distributed before the conference – calls for asylum seekers to be treated “with dignity and compassion” and emphasises the need for international cooperation and independent oversight of detention facilities. The draft platform suggests the party would abolish temporary protection visas but the document is silent on the issue of turnbacks.Labor’s draft national platform – distributed before the conference – calls for asylum seekers to be treated “with dignity and compassion” and emphasises the need for international cooperation and independent oversight of detention facilities. The draft platform suggests the party would abolish temporary protection visas but the document is silent on the issue of turnbacks.
A senior left source said of turnbacks: “It’s fair to say no position was agreed to. Discussions are going to continue right up to the national conference.”A senior left source said of turnbacks: “It’s fair to say no position was agreed to. Discussions are going to continue right up to the national conference.”
The left’s stance on party rules is more concrete. Sources said the faction was committed to greater democratisation of the party by ensuring decisions on Senate preselections and national conference delegates were 50% decided by rank-and-file ballots.The left’s stance on party rules is more concrete. Sources said the faction was committed to greater democratisation of the party by ensuring decisions on Senate preselections and national conference delegates were 50% decided by rank-and-file ballots.
Related: Go home Labor, you're drunk. And basically evil | First Dog on the Moon
Left figures also supported improving the operation of the party’s current affirmative action targets for preselections, and moving towards a goal of 50% female representation. The present rule is at least 40%.Left figures also supported improving the operation of the party’s current affirmative action targets for preselections, and moving towards a goal of 50% female representation. The present rule is at least 40%.
Related: Joel Fitzgibbon: Labor should consider adopting asylum boat turnbacks policy
Trade policy – often a point of contention at Labor’s national conference – could become an issue. Left sources said the focus was currently on the federal opposition’s response to the China free trade agreement (FTA) and the forthcoming Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP).Trade policy – often a point of contention at Labor’s national conference – could become an issue. Left sources said the focus was currently on the federal opposition’s response to the China free trade agreement (FTA) and the forthcoming Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP).
The biggest concerns with the China FTA relate to labour movement provisions, including a mechanism that would allow Chinese workers to be brought to Australia to work on infrastructure development projects worth $150m or more.The biggest concerns with the China FTA relate to labour movement provisions, including a mechanism that would allow Chinese workers to be brought to Australia to work on infrastructure development projects worth $150m or more.
Parliamentary committees are currently scrutinising the details. Any legislation needed to implement aspects of the deal would have to be put to parliament for a vote.Parliamentary committees are currently scrutinising the details. Any legislation needed to implement aspects of the deal would have to be put to parliament for a vote.