Young Labour Maori Vice-President Morehu Rei said “The recent breakdown between the Maori Party and National is yet another sign of the deep unrest that this plan for state asset sales has generated”.

“The revelation that the Government’s original intention was to keep a crucial Treaty of Waitangi clause out of legislation required for state asset sales is outrageous and if this is the case the Maori Party should walk away from their confidence and supply agreement with the Government”.

“While Young Labour completely opposes the Prime Minister’s plan to exclude references to the Treaty of Waitangi in legislation required for his asset sales, from our point of view the whole debate is irrelevant because there should be no sale of our most strategic assets” added Rei.

“Any sale will have a hugely negative impact on the rights of Maori under the treaty and on the long-term economic future of Aotearoa. We therefore encourage young Maori from all over the country to attend and voice their opinions at the Government’s series of hui that will be held around New Zealand.”

Young Labour Maori Representative Arena Williams stressed the importance of young peoples’ involvement in this hui. She said that “Rangatahi must be heard in this process”.

“State owned asset sales will have a huge impact on our generation, and as future leaders within our iwi and hapu we have a responsibility to speak up” she concluded.

The schedule for Government initiated hui on asset sales is:

8 February 10.00am Distinction Rotorua Rotorua

8 February 3.00pm Waikato Stadium Hamilton

9 February 3.00pm Whanganui Racecourse Whanganui

10 February 9.30am Toll Stadium Whangarei

10 February 3.30pm Novotel Auckland Airport Auckland

14 February 10.00am Waihopai Runaka Murihiku Marae Invercargill

14 February 4.00pm Chateau on the Park Christchurch

15 February 10.00am Emerald Hotel Gisborne

15 February 3.30pm Te Puni Kokiri Wellington

ENDS

“David and Grant are just what Labour needs to revitalise the party and we are confident that they will lead Labour to victory in the 2014 election. They will work well together and have complementing skills”.

“Shearer‘s award winning humanitarian background is a stark comparison to John Key’s former currency trading career. Shearer will show the public a leader and politician who passionately cares about people in New Zealand” added Hardy.

“This has been one of the most open leadership contests in a generation and with this result it is time for all party members to come together and support our new leadership team”.

“While the values of Labour are enduring – bold and fresh leadership for the Labour Party is welcomed by Young Labour” concluded Hardy.

ENDS

Some dedicated protesters protesting in the rain

On Sunday another heated debate took place over uranium exports to India. The debate involved an amendment being put forward to the conference which would allow Australia to sell Uranium to India despite India not being a country signed up to the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Technology Treaty (currently a requirement before Australian allows exports). Julia Gillard and Wayne Swann, the Deputy Prime Minister, tried to defend the move, along with a number of other delegates from Labor Right.

However, many very strong cases against selling Uranium to India were made from the Left of the party. Once again – as with the marriage equality debate and the refugees debate – though the vote against the conservative party position was lost, the observers gallery was clearly on the progressive side giving more standing ovations for the fantastic speeches against supplying India with uranium.

Getting a photo with Senator Penny Wong

Upon leaving the debate, we began to think about whether or not New Zealand should reconsider allowing the transport of uranium through our country, especially if there is a chance that the recipient country has not signed the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Technology Treaty. As with the other debates, though the Australian context was rather different, the issues and challenges in the debates seemed very real and relevant to New Zealand.

During the lunch and other breaks we saw some dedicated protesters who were protesting in the rain. We also managed to get a photo with Senator Penny Wong who had become somewhat of an idol to us. She spoke amazingly during the marriage equality debate and is a really cool person.

As the conference drew to a close and some of us headed home (others saying on for a bit), we reflected on what we had gained from the conference. Overall it has given Young Labour a lot to think about and some possible changes to try push for in our own party. Most of all though, as we kept remarking to ourselves, it was a really inspiring and invigorating weekend.

After an electoral defeat back at home there was nothing like coming less than a week later to another progressive party’s conference to see, hear, and feel their energy, challenges, ideas, and overall commitment to ensuring social justice. The fight for progressive change goes on and we are ready to fight it!

In Solidarity,
The ALP 2011 Conference Young Labour Delegation

Ella Hardy President of Young Labour said, “We are excited to be here and learn from our sister party, we are learning how to push for progressive policy advances, about different party structures and what we can do better to bring a progressive New Zealand.”

“We have been particularly excited to see the marriage equality debate and see it become part of the ALP policy platform.”

“We believe that it’s also time to end marriage discrimination in New Zealand- if two people love each other they should be able to get married. It is an issue of fundamental human rights.”

Young Labour Rainbow representative Sam Thompson said that “we will mirror this discussion at our own Party Conference where I believe we will have more success at the end of this year.

“It is simply unacceptable for progressive parties to not stand up for equality.

“Young Labour was proud to march alongside 10,000 people in downtown Sydney yesterday calling for an end to marriage discrimination. It is time for New Zealand to also face up to this important issue.”

You can follow Young Labour’s trip in Australia at younglabour.org.nz/category/alp2011/

The kiwis arrive early for a very good international session on campaigning

The morning began early we many attending a progressive campaigning workshop at 7am and Jessie attending one on children with disabilities. At the progressive campaigning workshop speakers from Canada, the UK, and Australian shared their campaigning tips. Rob was busy taking notes as many great points were made and in particular the growth of the National Democratic Party in Canada provided much inspiration. With too many good points to put here, we will try to put Rob’s notes of the session on this blog later.

It happened to be the International Day of People with Disability and Children with Disabilities Australia was hosting a breakfast event on inclusive education with a panel including The Hon. Peter Garrett. The panel discussion started off with Danny, a fantastic 13 year old, who talked about his experiences as someone with a disability in the mainstream education system. His stories prompted some frank and honest discussion on the challenges facing both the children and educators when pursuing their goal of inclusive education. It was great to hear the whole panel talk about the benefits of inclusive mainstream education for all young people not just for the children with disabilities. Later in the morning conference passed the Prime Minister’s resolution on the National Disability Insurance Scheme which with provide funding for children and families to help close some of the gaps in their systems.

Eric and Rory promoting the amazing jar cups with found during lunch

We made our way to the main conference and sat though a number of policy platform debates until the big one came up; marriage equality. There were two amendments being put to the floor simultaneously – one in the name of Julia Gillard which would allow the vote on Marriage Equality to be a conscience vote, and the other, in the name of Andrew Barr which was the proposal of marriage equality itself.

There was a mix of inspiring, relatively average, and vomit worthy speakers. The Prime Minister made the case that the delegates should be more understanding of the differences of opinion on the matter, and in controversial issues such as this, we should be respectful. In short, she was asking for the delegates to vote to allow her conservative colleagues and herself to vote against a marriage equality bill were it to be put forward in Parliament.

Watching the debate from the Observers Gallery

One of the stand out speakers was the National Secretary of the SDA. The SDA is the largest union in the country, and incidentally has the largest concentration of LGBT workers out of all the unions – a relevant fact that the speaker managed to ignore entirely. His main point was that marriage should only be between one man and woman, stating that the only thing that makes a marriage legitimate is due to a couple’s capacity for reproduction, with a lovely extra touch of sexism insinuation the traditional women staying at home and making babies fall. If you could imagine the love child of Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson – then this man would be worse. The speech itself was something you wouldn’t even expect from the most conservative member of the New Zealand National Party.

Standing ovation as the motion formally adopt a policy platform of abolishing marriage discrimination (no conscious vote) is put to the ALP Conference floor

On the brighter side, we heard from a range of inspiring, and passionate people who made the case for a binding vote on marriage equality, meaning that a person’s own personal view on homosexuality and marriage shouldn’t affect the party granting Australia’s LGBT community from a fundamental human right. It was said that “It’s about dignity”, that “Equality does not demean the worth of your relationships, it simply recognises the worth of ours”, and that “There is nothing to fear about equality”. It was also said that “All love is equal”, that “It is not good enough to say to one group of people you are almost equal so give up cause your almost equal.”, and that “Almost equal is not good enough!”. One of the most moving quotes was along the lines of: ?”We are born with human rights. It is not for governments to manufacture human rights, it is for them to reconise them!”

Some of our delegation getting a photo with Kevin Rudd

When it came down to the vote, it was bittersweet – the delegates voted in favour of Marriage Equality being put on the party’s platform, however, they also voted to allow a conscience vote for the issue in Parliament. Although the left didn’t win fight for a binding vote, we look forward to the upcoming marriage equality debate and how this will affect the fight for marriage equality in New Zealand.

After the debates we went back to the hostel to prepare for the Young Labour Disco. The evening was filled with a party at which both the Left and Right factions of Young Labour got together from some drinks, discussion, and dancing. Our New Zealand Young Labour delegation partied hard before coming heading home and getting a few hours sleep before the last day of conference.

Listening to the opening address

Conference opened with two good speeches. Firstly, from the Australian Labor Party President and then from the Australian (Labour Party) Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, who spoke on the Labour values policy platform (which was then formally adopted).

Exploring the conference we enjoyed grabbing some free badges and t-shirts supporting marriage equality and other causes. As day wore on our delegation split into three with some of our group going to a fringe session on International Youth Perspectives, others to a fringe session on the Environment, and a few others stay in the main conference (where proposed amendments to Labour’s policy platform on the economy, education, engery and working family opportunity were being discussed).

An international session with our very own Soraiya Daud

The International Youth Perspectives fringe session included some very useful tips on how Labour in New Zealand might recruit better and reform the Party. Soraiya Daud gave a speech on New Zealand Young Labour’s experiences and members of Norwegian and Australian youth wings gave interesting and relevant insight into campaigning and into the challenges we face as progressive youth. In the Environmental fringe session it was interesting to look at the similarities between the environmental polices of our two countries.

Around lunch time a petition for marriage equality was presented to the media and bikes with cool signs on the back were cycled around. Back in the main conference the speeches were going well. While often at our New Zealand conferences time is taken up with long speech on minor issues such as gammer and wording, with the policy proposals and amendments already well drafted and the speaking order already organised, the speeches were much more substantive. It was great to hear so through and passionate debate and outlineing of a proposed policy platform.

The marriage equality petition

After a long day of conferencing all the Young Labour kiwis meet up with other Labour kiwis at the conference (such as New Zealand Labour Party President Moria Costsworth and Policy Councial Secretary Jordan Carter). We went to a nearby bar and enjoyed sharing the insights from the conference we had had so far and remarked at how inpsiring it was to came to such an engergetic conference less than a weak after a defeat at home.

Ella at Kurt at the Labour Left dinner

After a good chat and drink our Young Labour delegation again split into three with some members going to the Australian Labor Left dinner, some to the Australian Labor Right dinner, and a few just heading back to our hostel for some drinks and relaxing.

The Labor Left dinner was Chinese, included a speeches, and very big. It was somewhat spoiled thought by the appearances of one and then two cockroaches. The Labour Right dinner was also packed and included a rather offensive comedian who made a bunch of racist, sexist, and homophobic jokes that were not cool and prompted some of the Labor Right members to come and apologise to our delegation for such tastelessness.

After the dinners, many of the attendees went drinking at same bar while others went back to the hostel to try to get some sleep (finding though that it was quite hard, with many back at the hostel still having some fun). As we did finally make it to sleep, we thought of the marriage equality debate in the morning and crossed our fingers for a good result.

Exploring Sydney

The day began blurry eyed as many of us got up at 4am to catch flights out to Sydney. As we staggered into the airport the adventure began with Eric and Ella having tickets for the wrong day and with Eric’s British passport (cause his New Zealand was expired) needing a Australian Visa in order to make it into Australia. After some quick last minute calls and some leaving of tickets at security desks (and embarrassed rushing back to get them) we managed to make it onto the plane and over the Tasman.

As we arrived in Sydney we were happy to find it was neither a overly hot nor rainy or windy day. Though the locals complained about the weather, we were happy not to be sweating too much as we dragged our luggage onto a taxi van and found our way to our accommodation. Before we even made it to reception we found some of our fellow kiwis who had arrived earlier in the week and then ones who arrived on later flights.

Checking out the NSW Legislative Chamber

The rest of the morning was filled with exploring Sydney. We were very impressed with how beautiful the harbour was and the number of old historical and grand stonework buildings and decorations. We got a quick tour of the New South Wales state Parliament (unfortunately it wasn’t sitting) and then checked out the Sydney Opera House. Unfortunately the Sydney Opera House was covered in tiles and reconstruction work so we quickly got a train back.

On the steps of the Sydney Opera House

Back at the hostel we split into two groups, those who went to check out the Labor Left Caucus (the Australian Labour Party is split into two factions, Left and Right) and those who tried to have a nap. We had been told that the Labor Left Caucus was on 37 Reservoir Road (or so we thought) so after a one hour train ride and a 10 minute taxi some of our delegation arrived at their small suburban dwelling in one of the Sydney suburbs. Confused about who 200 delegates would fit in the living room of a small house, the group of Young Labour activists (who dubbed themselves the ‘Action Faction’) sat on lawn outside and decided to legalise gay marriage, get rid of nuclear power, and endorse Parekura Horomia for lead of the Australian Labor Party. After this interesting detour rather than spending an additional $20 on a taxi, the ‘Action Faction’ walked back to the railway station and arrived at the REAL Left Caucus meeting just half an hour after it finished.

The "Action Faction" arriving at 37 Reservoir Road

In the evening we all headed for some drinks and speeches around Challenge Magazine (a Labour Left publication). It was good to network and relax with some of our Australian comrades and share some stories. Finally, with just 8 tickets to got to a cool Rainbow Labour event and now all 16 of the kiwi delegation arrived, some went home while others went to one final event for the night.

The Rainbow Labour event included some inspiring speakers, some cool people to talk with, and a fun photo petition thing for which we dressed up (see the photos below) in order to support marriage equality. With such a great start to our trip we set out alarms early looking forward to the formal conference opening in the morning.

Rory and Kurt dressing up for marriage equality

Andreas and Ella dressing up for marriage equality

“Phil and Annette have fought tirelessly for Labour values,” says Young Labour President Ella Hardy, “and Young Labour thanks them for running a brave, energetic campaign. Under Phil’s leadership, Labour proved that we were willing to make the tough decisions for the sake of New Zealand’s future.”

“However, Labour needs to accept the verdict of voters. We have a tough task on our hands proving that we are relevant to New Zealanders. We need to refresh and reconnect, and new leadership will be a key part of this transformation.”

“The next two weeks will give Labour members an important opportunity to take part in the leadership discussion. Even though Young Labour feels that Labour would have been better served with a longer period of reflection, we welcome the opportunity to have our say.”

“A party that values its membership places greater value on its principles.”

“Leadership contenders will be invited to meet with Young Labour branches throughout the country. Our members have no intention of being passive participants in what needs to be a party-wide conversation and decision”, Hardy concluded.

ENDS

The banner, 20 meters wide and 10 meters deep, reads “NOT FOR SALE”.

Young Labour activist Rory McCourt said “Our generation is standing up and making it clear that we can not afford another round of privatisations. It’s time for New Zealand to own our future, and that means holding on to valuable assets like Karapiro.”

“Privatisation has only brought pain to the pockets of kiwi families. It does not work, it only hurts. And if there is dividends to be had, it makes sense to return them to the people who paid for them, all New Zealanders.”

“State assets provide huge revenue for New Zealand to invest in health and education; but more than that they are a symbol of a society committed to its past –and its future.”

“Only Labour can protect our state assets,” he said.

Young Labour President Ella Hardy added “Today’s event highlighted the biggest issue this election. Whether we will keep our state assets for future generations to benefit.”

“Other generations have had the benefit of free education and high employment, while our young people currently languish on the dole queue -and now National are trying to sell our future right from under our noses! This short term vision from John Key and the National Party is ideologically driven, economically stupid and downright unfair.”

“Young people need a future they can look forward to, and that means keeping our state assets in public hands. It means owning our future.” Hardy concluded.

You can watch the 40 second video here: youtube.com/watch?v=eYGxUveqHTg

      
ENDS

Young Labour President Ella Hardy said “National would love to see young people starting their working life in poverty just so they can help their multinational business mates like McDonalds and Subway make a little bit extra. This appears to be a deliberate push to widen the gap between rich and poor.”

“Youth rates don’t do anything positive for young people or New Zealand businesses. They are just a subsidy to large employers. Policies like this just mean those over eighteen will lose jobs to younger people – it is a substitution – and evidence shows it has very little effect on total unemployment. Companies simply choose employees who they can pay less and get rid of older employees” added Hardy.

“This outrageous policy announced today, paints a clear picture for young people; that they are better off with Labour. Three months into their employment they could be on $15 an hour rather than an unliveable $10.40. In addition to this National has announced a clear attack on collective bargaining which will cause wages to drop for all employees.”

“Labour’s plan to ensure young people are either earning or learning, to create career pathways and to invest in apprenticeships shows that young people are valued members of society and such an investment is worth every dollar – that is the only approach to tackling youth unemployment” Hardy concluded.

ENDS