Queensland Labor needs federal intervention

The failure to get candidates selected two years prior to the likely election date meant that there was no opportunity to capitalise on the gains of 2007. The 2007 campaign saw impressive gains on the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast, however little or no work was put into those areas by the party machine.

The Queensland ALP has structural problems that are so severe that federal intervention is required, there is no capacity for internal measures to deliver the reform necessary to have a vital organisation that the Labor supporters in Queensland want and deserve.

The Queensland Branch employs a full time paid secretary and three organisers, yet during the election has to engage external consultants to perform the basic campaign functions that these paid officials should be performing. Many party members are asking why we need to employ three organisers when, during election campaigns, we have to engage external consultants.

Party members ask what do the organisers do? This question can be asked simply by doing some strolls along Melbourne Street and its trendy cafes. The organisers can often been seen sipping a latte, it appears the liquid lunches at the Brekkie Creek have been replaced with a caramel latte in West End.

Labor members and supporters deserve better.

The cost of the duplication drives up the fees for party members, leading to the structural problem of small membership numbers comprising predominantly of careerists and concession holders. Fees of $180 per year deter ordinary working people from joining, which suits the faceless factional warlords.

The swing on two-party preferred in Queensland was 5.35 per cent, the primary vote swing was 9.33 per cent. If the two-party preferred vote was translated to the state election it would lead to the loss of 20 seats, however, in Queensland preferences are optional. It is likely that the primary swing will be more relevant and would lead to 35 seats being lost. This would mean the Liberal National Party would rule Queensland for the next ten years.

The Queensland factional system has not encouraged a competition between ideas and policies; it is nothing more than a protection racket for mediocrity. The factions get together at the admin committee and cut a deal that all sitting members get automatic preselection.

This prevents party members being able to influence who represents them and insulates the elected representatives from the views and sentiments of the community. It leads to the arrogance and the continued implementation of unpopular policy.

A strong and healthy party organisation is vital when in office to ensure there is a counterweight to the bureaucracy to provide appropriate debate on public policy.

In government the elected officials are influenced by the bureaucracy, industry and organised groups. It is vital that the organisational wing of the party, expressing the views and sentiments of its supporters, can be heard and are not drowned out by the well resourced lobbying community.

National Executive needs to intervene and totally restructure the Queensland ALP, and whether the machine men are beer swilling or latte sipping non-performers they need to be replaced.