(2008) Letter to NSW ALP Caucus re Privatisation
Letter written by Neville Wran, Barrie Unsworth, Bob Carr, John MacBean and myself, dated 5 May 2008, and circulated to NSW members of the parliamentary Labor Party and more widely.
(2006) Neville Wran and the Labor Council of NSW
Part of the culture and practice of NSW Labor is the symbiotic, reinforcing relationship between the leadership of NSW political and industrial Labor. The Wran era, defined by Wran’s period as NSW Parliamentary leader (1973-86), is interesting in throwing light on that dynamic.
(2005) Steve Harker and the Promise of Politics
“Sparky”, as he was known in Young Labor, joined the Granville Central Branch aged 17. That was the beginning of an immersion in Labor politics, exposure to the personalities, factions, the froth, bubble, snap culture and traditions of NSW Labor.
(2004) The Eureka Stockade: A Typically Australian Turning Point that All of Us Can Honour
For 150 years, ambivalence, disagreement and controversy have marked debate about the Eureka Stockade. Even today, not all the facts are agreed on: causes, casualties, consequences. This week’s celebrations in Victoria are an opportunity to reflect on the significance of what happened on December 3, 1854, and why it remains relevant today.
(2001) Solidarity Has the Whip Hand Here
The defection of Seanator Jim Jeffords from the US Republican Party (to caucus with the Democrats) and the observation that many American politicians have ‘party hopped’ raises the question of whether there might be any comparable fluidity of personal, political alignments in Australia.
(2001) An Agent for Change
There has never been a Labor Council Secretary like Michael Costa. Even though his term was the shortest of living memory, his impact is such that Michael is arguably one of the most successful Secretaries ever. Lest this be regarded as farewell hyperbole, let me outline my case.
(2000) James Denis Kenny, 1906-1967
James Denis Kenny (1906-1967), glassworker and trade union official, was born on 27 November 1906 at Waterloo, Sydney, fourth child of native-born parents James Kenny, wagon driver, and his wife Margaret, née Rowley.
(2000) John Archibald McCallum, 1892-1973
John Archibald McCallum (1892-1973), politician and schoolteacher, was born on 31 July 1892 at Mittagong, New South Wales, second child of Archibald Duncan McCallum, a coach-builder from Scotland, and his Welsh-born wife Catherine Margaret, née Protheroe.
(1999) The Man Who Made the Labor Government
Usually nice things are said at farewells. Apart from the notably ungracious comments by Peter Reith, Bill Kelty’s departure announcement mostly received warm and generous praise from friends, allies and foes. Privately, views are more mixed. Over time a more considered assessment can be distilled.
(1998) No Easy Way for Labor
After the devastating drubbing that Labor received at the 1996 election, few expected it would bounce back so close to government so soon. Consequently, within the ALP there is a satisfied, warm inner glow about recent events (matched by the cooling white fury of Mark Latham over the editing of his education policy).