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The Guardian - AU
National
Amy Remeikis

Labor vows to restore penalty rates and address gender pay gap – as it happened

Tanya Plibersek
Tanya Plibersek: ‘I think anybody who has ever visited a childcare centre would know that that industry, which is 97% female, they work so hard, the work they do is so skilled, it’s fanciful to think that those women aren’t underpaid.’ Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAP

That is us done, for the day, the conference, and the year.

It has been a massive year. And no doubt there is still at least one surprise left in it.

When we come back, the election campaign will be under way in earnest. Parliament is scheduled for February, but there is still every chance the election will be called in late January (27 January if it happens) for March.

It’s a moving feast people, and nothing is locked in. If not March, then May. But the contest has been set up.

There will be plenty of time to digest what both parties are offering in the coming months. But I wanted, again, to take this opportunity to thank everyone who follows along with the Politics Live crew each sitting week and special political occasion.

Your comments, insights, witticisms, and yes, critiques, make this project what it is. Your engagement in your democracy gives all of us hope for the future. And your passion for your politics, no matter what way you vote, is admirable.

Remember to be gentle with yourself and others. It can be a rough and tumble world out there, and I hope you have all found your tribe and community to help navigate it. And that includes online.

In the mean time, remember to keep caring, keep engaging and keep laughing. We thank you so much for joining us, and hope you check back for your daily updates on the Guardian Australia site. We’ll be working across the Christmas break to keep you informed, but we also hope you take some time for yourself as well.

Merry and happy everything. We’ll see you back here next year.

And please – take care of you. And those around you.

Ax

Updated

So the 48th Labor conference ends.

It’s been described as both the most “disciplined” conference since 2009 or the most “boring” conference since the same year (depending on which side of delegates you are talking to. But it has got the job done).

“If we trust Australians, our fellow Australians will trust us,” Bill Shorten says.

“ ... We believe this nation needs a change, we believe Australians deserve a change, my team and I understand that millions of Australians are counting on us. We do not intend to fail or disappoint the Australian people. We leave here today more united, more energised and more determined than ever. We are ready to win the trust of the Australian people at the next election.”

Shorten and the senior members of his shadow bench join hands and raise them above their heads and We Take Care of Our Own by the Boss (the Wrecking Ball album Paul Karp informs me) plays as they leave the stage.

Smiles all round, and not just because we can all finally leave the conference centre.

Updated

Wayne Swan thanks all the staff, as well as delegates and observers – and he gets into the ditches, thanking stall hosts, security, the national office, volunteers and a partridge in a pear tree.

Bill Shorten comes to the stage to make the final remarks.

Labor’s foreign policy platform has been decided, all of it carried on the voices.

And that is it. Labor has its policy platform for the next election and term of government.

Updated

Which means it doesn’t look like we will need Wayne Swan’s resolution, because I think it has all been resolved.

And it’s official – the national executive is a 10/10 split between the left and the right faction, meaning balance has been restored.

Updated

The federal executive looks like being finalised – 10/10 split is the tip, with the right’s attempt for an 11/9 split looking like having failed.

Updated

Pat Conroy and his linen jacket: a modern love story:

NSW Labor has responded to the Icac-related raid earlier today. As we reported earlier, it is about something alleged to have occurred in 2015.

NSW Labor is aware of extensive media coverage today of an investigation into historic political donation matters.

The donations in question were received in 2015 and have been fully investigated by the NSW Electoral Commission with the full cooperation of NSW Labor, including the provision of all relevant documents.”

Updated

Pat Conroy has taken to the floor to show off his linen jacket, because that is what the linen jacket lifestyle demands.

He also wants to second Penny Wong’s motion on doing something about climate change for our Pacific neighbours, while his jacket has a great opportunity it would love to speak to you about, when you catch up next week.

Despite my earlier cynicism that the motion to allow the national executive result to be declared after conference – apparently this is not a bid to block transparency but rather a procedural fix in case conference finishes early.

Given the rules debate has been shelved, conference will finish early and the motion is needed in case the national executive count is not finished by then.

Apparently the count is not far off though, in which case the result would be announced to conference.

There are 20 national executive spots – the left is expecting a 10/10 split between left and right but putting it to a vote gave the right an outside chance at grabbing an 11th spot.

Updated

Labor also wants to change the way we commit to go to war:

Conference resolves that a Shorten Labor government will refer the issue of how Australia makes decisions to send service personnel into international armed conflict to an inquiry to be conducted by the joint standing committee on foreign affairs, defence and trade. This inquiry would take submissions, hold public hearings and produce its findings during the term of the 46th parliament.

Updated

Speaking on a motion urging Labor to toughen its position on the Cambodian government, Julian Hill quotes that great foreign policy strategist, Warwick Capper.

“I’m not going to tell you my other favourite Warwick Capper quotes after Sugarbaby.com,” he tells the room.

Kelly O’Dwyer was sent up by the government to talk about how bad unions are, but, also being the minister for women, was forced to address Andrew Broad, and the Nationals. From the official transcript:

Journalist: But is the behaviour good enough? Shouldn’t your male colleagues be behaving a bit better?

O’Dwyer: Well I’ll let you ask them that question.

Journalist: But is it disappointing for you to see them behave that like?

O’Dwyer: Well as I said that is a question better posed to my male colleagues.

Journalist: But as a leading female in parliament – it’s rarely ever women ever who get caught out behaving like this – as a senior woman in parliament would you like to see them behaving better?

O’Dwyer: I think there should be high standards in parliament for all members of parliament whether they be male or female. We should have high standards in parliament and frankly we want to encourage people to commit themselves to a life in public service, to be able to put up their hand and know that they will be respected and know that they will be able to go about doing an important job on behalf of their local community and in the national interest. I’m interested in getting good people into parliament whether they are men or women. I am also particularly interested in getting more women into parliament and I’ve long been on the record in relation to that.

Updated

Coming up is this motion, which addresses the encryption bill Labor recently helped pass:

That national conference:

Condemns the appallingly inadequate process for consideration of the telecommunications and other legislation amendment (assistance and access) bill 2018 rushed into the parliament by the Morrison government, and the politicisation of national security. This has undermined public confidence in parliament’s ability to legislate in this important area.

Affirms that it is possible to protect the safety of Australia and its people, including by equipping our law enforcement and security agencies with appropriate powers, while fostering a vibrant IT sector and protecting citizens’ data and privacy.

Recognises that necessary powers for law enforcement should not unduly: impinge on the rights, freedoms and values that define us as a democratic nation; or undermine Australia’s economic security or cyber-security which are a critical part of an holistic understanding of the concept of national security.

Notes the 173 amendments to the government’s original bill won by Labor, which:

a. constrain the scope of these powers;

b. introduce new oversight arrangements; and

c. provide for further scrutiny of the legislation including public input via an inquiry to examine the need for further changes.

Calls upon the federal parliamentary Labor party (FPLP) to further engage and work with industry and civil society and economic regulators to resolve outstanding concerns raised including:

  • the security and safety of the internet;
  • Australian industry including technology, defence and businesses relying on encryption; and
  • civil liberties and transparent public reporting.

Acknowledges that there has been misinformation regarding the operation of the bill – which does not displace existing requirements for agencies to obtain a warrant to access information from any Australian – but calls upon the FPLP to pursue:

  • further safeguards and oversight, including requirements for a judicial warrant where technical assistance is sought or required;
  • stronger oversight and public reporting arrangements for the powers contained in the bill, either through this parliament or by a Labor government; and
  • a comprehensive assessment of the industry and economic impact of the new laws and action to restore business and public confidence.

Updated

The second half of the ‘don’t do a Melissa Price or Peter Dutton’ motion reads as:

In government, Labor will:

  • ensure the Pacific is front and centre of our foreign policy;
  • engage with the Pacific with respect, to promote the wellbeing of the entire region, for the benefit of both Australia and the 10 million people of the Pacific islands themselves;
  • establish a government-supported infrastructure financing facility and grow our aid commitment to the Pacific;
  • reconstitute the role of minister for Pacific affairs and international development;
  • work closely with our friends and other partners to help the region meet its challenges, and support and create opportunities and possibilities for realising the Pacific’s own vision for the Blue Pacific continent;
  • build on the defence cooperation programs to expand our engagement with the defence forces of the Pacific;
  • explore opportunities with Pacific countries for more cost-effective Australian government service delivery that is of benefit to the Pacific;
  • coordinate and cooperate more to better leverage our engagement towards development outcomes and help reduce transaction costs for Pacific bureaucracies; and
  • as a Pacific nation, work in partnership with Pacific island states to contribute to the security and prosperity of the entire region.

Updated

The conference moves on to the Pacific neighbours part of the platform. Which I think could also be known as the ‘don’t do a Melissa Price/Peter Dutton’:

Labor believes in a deep and comprehensive partnership with Pacific nations. We believe Australia should be a responsible and constructive partner. We want Australia to be the natural partner of choice for Pacific nations, and we know this has to be earned.

Labor:

  • Recognises that climate change is the single greatest threat to the livelihoods, security and wellbeing of the peoples of the Pacific;
  • Understands that our credibility as a constructive international actor, and as a valuable Pacific partner, depends on our commitment to climate change;
  • Understands the need to reflect our commitments to our Pacific neighbours in our actions;
  • Notes that the Pacific has felt the impact of the record $11bn in aid cuts under this government;
  • Notes that development assistance will continue to be an important component of our engagement and cooperation, but recognises our relationships should not just be seen through this prism;
  • Acknowledges the need to develop much deeper ties and connections between our peoples and recognises that our futures are intimately and irrevocably linked;
  • Notes that labour mobility schemes are highly valued by our Pacific neighbours and contribute substantially to economic development;
  • Recognises that Australia’s economy also benefits from the availability of Pacific workers and that our society benefits from the connections with Pacific communities;
  • Notes the significant defence cooperation programs with defence forces in the Pacific and the potential for far greater cooperation;
  • Notes that where sought by Pacific island countries, Australian government services can be provided at little cost but to great benefit for the Pacific countries and there may be more opportunities for these initiatives;
  • Recognises the Pacific Islands Forum as the premier regional forum;
  • Recognises that quality infrastructure is also key to the economic development and future prosperity of the region and many of our neighbours have substantial unmet needs that are beyond the capacity of governments to fund directly through traditional grant aid alone; and
  • Acknowledges the need to develop and utilise more innovative financing mechanisms to enable Australia to work in partnership with Pacific nations to provide them with the ability to meet their development aspirations.

Updated

That motion also passes on the voices.

Anthony Albanese says the nuclear motion is not easy, but it is consistent with Labor values, and what the global community expects.

“It enables us to contribute to the debate in a constructive way, and move it forward,” he says.

Anthony Albanese is moving the nuclear weapon treaty motion:

Labor:

  1. Congratulates the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons on its work in returning to global prominence the cause of nuclear disarmament;
  2. Acknowledges the value of the treaty on the prohibition of nuclear weapons (the Ban Treaty) and its aspiration to rid the world of nuclear weapons for all time; and
  3. Acknowledges the centrality of the US alliance to Australia’s national security and strategic policy.

Labor in government will sign and ratify the Ban Treaty, after taking account of the need to:

  • Ensure an effective verification and enforcement architecture;
  • Ensure the interaction of the Ban Treaty with the longstanding Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty; and
  • Work to achieve universal support for the Ban Treaty.

Labor will take urgent action to reduce the risk of nuclear war by continuing its proud record of seeking nuclear disarmament by:

  • Working to create the conditions necessary to achieve a pathway to universal support for the Ban Treaty;
  • Advocating to the United States and Russia for the renewal of the New Start (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) Treaty for the period beyond 2021;
  • Advocating to the United States that it actively negotiates with Russia, China and other nuclear armed states a follow on treaty to the New Start treaty with a view to realising the objective of Article VI of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT): a world free of nuclear weapons; and
  • Seeking to work with partners and allies to build upon the International Commission on Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament and develop an initiative which proposes a way of working with states possessing nuclear weapons to realise the aspiration of Article VI of the NPT seeking to encourage transparency among all states with nuclear weapons over their doctrine and the composition of their arsenals, and continuing to strengthen non-proliferation goals in the Indo-Pacific region.

Updated

The motion is carried on the voices.

Labor sets out foreign policy platform

Penny Wong:

I move this motion – but the text is the work of many.

I want to acknowledge that the conflict between Israel and Palestine is an issue of great importance to many in our party.

It is of great importance because Labor is a friend of Israel. I am a friend of Israel.

It is of great importance because Labor is a friend of the Palestinians. I am a friend of the Palestinians.

It is of great importance because we, in Labor, not only deal with the world as it is, we seek to change it for the better.

And so all who have come to this debate do so in the hope of contributing to peace and to a just and lasting resolution of the conflict between these two peoples.

I thank everyone for the manner in which they have engaged to propose this resolution – which I am confident reflects the collective view of this conference.

This resolution makes clear the view of this conference is to continue to support the recognition and right of Israel and Palestine to exist as two states within secure and recognised borders.

And it recognises the desire of this conference to recognise Palestine as a state.

Labor has long supported, and continues to support, a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

We support Israel’s right to exist within secure and recognised boundaries and the creation of a Palestinian state.

We recognise that a just two-state resolution will require recognising the right of both the Israeli and Palestinian peoples to live in peace and security.

The hallmark of Labor’s approach has been our even-handedness, and our acceptance of the legitimate claims by both parties.

Labor has been consistent in its approach to working towards the resolution of conflict between Palestine and Israel.

We have been consistent in our criticism of actions that undermine progress.

The resort to violence or the use of disproportionate response.

The construction of new settlements in areas that will become part of a future Palestinian state and the retrospective legalisation of settlements.

Labor will continue to call on both sides of the conflict to refrain from any actions that hamper peaceful outcomes for both the Israeli and Palestinian people.

And we will continue to ensure that any decision we take contributes to peaceful resolution of the conflict and to progress towards a two-state solution.

It is an approach, which until recently, had been largely bipartisan.

But, in a shameful act five days before the Wentworth byelection, Scott Morrison put his own domestic political interest before the national interest.

He made a decision to junk longstanding bipartisan foreign policy in a cynical attempt to win votes.

It was a desperate political tactic.

It was a decision made against the longstanding advice of agencies, without cabinet consideration, and without properly consulting Australia’s partners and allies.

Astonishingly, it was a decision made without consulting either the Israelis or the Palestinians themselves, whose agreement must be the foundation of any lasting peace.

The result of the chaos and confusion has been clear.

Mr Morrison has caused offence to some of our nearest neighbours, harmed Australia’s international reputation, and our nation’s interests.

Ever since, the prime minister has been trying to escape the problem of his own creation.

It is a clear example of what happens when domestic politics is put before national interest.

Unlike Scott Morrison and his government, Labor in government will take a responsible approach to our foreign policy.

We will seek and consider the advice of our agencies.

We will work with our partners and allies.

We will always put the national interest first.

This motion makes clear Labor’s commitment to progressing lasting peace and a two-state solution.

It makes clear that it will be an important priority for the next Labor government.

As Labor’s shadow minister for foreign affairs, I commend the resolution to the conference.

Updated

And as earlier flagged, the Palestine motion is now being put to the floor:

  1. Notes previous resolutions on Israel/Palestine carried at the 2015 ALP national conference and the 2016 NSW Labor annual conference;
  2. Supports the recognition and right of Israel and Palestine to exist as two states within secure and recognised borders;
  3. Calls on the next Labor government to recognise Palestine as a state; and
  4. Expects that this issue will be an important priority for the next Labor government.

Penny Wong says it is part of a “just” two-state solution and Labor has been “consistent” with its view.

Updated

This motion has passed on the voices:

128. Labor will rebuild and grow Australia’s international development program and increase official development assistance to internationally accepted levels in a timely manner. Australia should do its fair share internationally, and work with the international community to achieve the longstanding funding targets reiterated by the SDGs. Labor will, over time, achieve a funding target for the international development program of at least 0.5% of gross national income. Labor will increase aid as a percentage of gross national income every year that we are in office starting with our first budget.


Updated

It continues:

Trade

“We are pleased the ALP has reaffirmed its commitment to boost transparency and analysis of free trade agreements (FTAs) including by introducing legislation to establish a system of accredited trade advisors and independent national interest assessments, which we have long called for.

“However, we are disappointed the ALP is opposed to signing FTAs that provide exemptions from labour market testing requirements and include Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) provisions. ISDS protects Australian businesses overseas from adverse decisions where their investments might be expropriated.

“Big unions have created a paper tiger in opposing FTAs that exempt employers from labour market testing provisions. They claim that exempting labour market testing is ‘dangerous’ to Australian workers, even though the evidence does not support this view.

“It’s in our national interest for all political parties to support policies that take us forward, not backwards, in trade.”

Energy

“The best way to secure significant investment in less expensive and more reliable power is to provide the private sector with the certainty it requires to invest with confidence in the energy sector.

“Affordability and reliability of energy must be at the heart of policy solutions to the energy crisis. And we need a long term, bipartisan, nationally agreed solution to meet Australia’s emissions reduction commitments and guide investment in the electricity generation sector. We need to deliver lower costs for consumers and ensure reliability in both the short and the long term.

“The National Energy Guarantee (Neg) is the only long-term policy that has overwhelming support across the business community.

““NEG plus” combines measures recommended by the ACCC to encourage competition and drive prices down in the short term, plus measures in the NEG to deliver greater reliability while meeting our national emissions reduction target.

“Policies to reduce emissions must not harm Australia’s international competitiveness.


Vocational Education and Training

“The business community remains very concerned by the decline in the number of apprentices and trainees. The ALP’s plan to put in place an apprenticeship advocate is positive, and we encourage them to go further to establish a national apprenticeship advisory board, which gives industry, who provide jobs and training to apprentices, a seat at the decision-making table.

“We support the opposition’s policy to review the tertiary education system, and we have participated in the terms of reference panel to help guide the review.

“We need action from the commonwealth and all states and territories, and we need it now to get projects off the ground. We encourage the ALP to look at strategies to deliver better outcomes for VET through Coag.

Updated

The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has released a very thorough statement on Labor’s policy announcements:

Role of business

“The Australian business community is part of our broader community. It provides jobs, creates wealth and gives opportunities. For example, one in three small businesses in Australia are started or run by migrants. More than eight out of every 10 Australians with a job is in a business.

“There are over two million Australian businesses of all sizes, providing jobs and goods and services to communities in all corners of the country, and keeping every sector of our economy moving. Most Australian businesses are small businesses, and nearly 60% of small business operators are paid $50,000 or less per year – that’s well under the average Australian wage.

“There is nothing to ‘trickle down’ from small businesses, who are overwhelmingly the businesses that rely on minimum and award wages, casual employment and whose people are not members of big unions. Small businesses can’t pass on increased wage costs to customers any more than they can cope with incessantly high power bills.

“If a business isn’t profitable, and if a business can’t afford a wage rise or manage its workforce in the way that works best, then the risk is that it will go out of business – and jobs will be lost, not won.”

Industrial relations

“The next steps for Australia’s industrial relations system will be important for continued prosperity, living standards and opportunities for all Australians.

“Parts of our IR system need to be fixed, but we have to get the solutions right and pursuing the wrong ideas will leave the people who depend on businesses worse off.

“We need to deliver policies that sustainably support jobs, help companies become more competitive and return towards longer-term trend wages growth, and do so without risking our reputation as a place to invest and do business.”

Enterprise bargaining

“Australia should be trying to fix problems in the enterprise bargaining system, not go back to industry bargaining, which big unions will flock to because it will be easier and cheaper for them.

“There should not be a perverse incentive for big unions to prolong bargaining needlessly and manipulate the bargaining process, seeking the reward of arbitration. If Labor is to consider industry bargaining, it needs to explain how it will prevent bad bargaining behaviours.

“Australia already has the world’s second highest minimum wage. The minimum wage and the flow on to award wages have grown by more than prices for nine straight years.

“Many small businesses depend on award wages to pay their people. They can’t pass on increased costs to their customers. It is hard to believe that minimum wages could be raised even further ahead of prices without costing jobs and driving many small businesses out of business.”

Gender pay gap

“The gender pay gap has narrowed, but more needs to be done.

“There are many reasons why people are paid differently, but gender should not be one of them.

“We need to ensure women have equal opportunity to gain the skills and get the experience they need to compete for the jobs they want. More Australian women are already being educated for a more diverse range of professions and vocations.

“We need to ensure more women can continue their careers, if they wish, when they start a family. Women need more options to maximise their earnings.This includes the flexibility that casual work and labour hire work, for example, can provide.

“The worst pay gap is the gap between having a job and no job. Pay, regardless of gender, should be driven by productivity and affordability – that’s the sustainable path towards equal pay.”

Updated

The motions have been closed to public view on the Labor conference website, for some strange reason, but we are attempting to get that fixed.

Meanwhile, in the Victorian parliament:

Michael McCormack has issued a statement on Andrew Broad’s decision not to recontest Mallee:

I acknowledge Andrew Broad’s decision to not recontest the next federal election for the seat of Mallee and thank him for his service.

Mr Broad has been a passionate advocate for regional and farming issues representing his Victorian electorate since 2013, which led to his promotion as the assistant minister, in September this year.

Mr Broad has now made the right decision to stand aside and not recontest the seat of Mallee and in doing so he has accepted the sort of behaviour, which has prompted his decision, is inappropriate and unacceptable.

Matters regarding Mallee preselection as always are for the Nationals’ local branches to decide and a replacement will be determined, in time.

Updated

Wayne Swan has just started the final session by revealing he will put a motion allowing conference to conclude without announcing the result of the election for the national executive, and instead giving the returning officer until 9pm to declare the result.

While we don’t know if the names of the 20 national executive members will be declared that late, anything after about 5pm would mean many delegates and pesky journalists will be leaving Adelaide, on flights bound for other national capitals.

Surely that wouldn’t be the intention of the motion – to make sure conference ends with a stitched-up whimper rather than a bang?

The motion wasn’t agreed (yet) – it will be put after the international chapter.

Updated

The resolutions from the foreign affairs debate at the conference this afternoon have now lobbed.

The aid resolution says: “Labor will, over time, achieve a funding target for the international development program of at least 0.5% of gross national income. Labor will increase aid as a percentage of gross national income every year that we are in office starting without first budget.”

The resolution on Palestine says: “The conference, 1. Notes previous resolutions on Israel/Palestine carried at the 2015 ALP national conference and the 2016 NSW Labor annual conference; 2. Supports the recognition and right of Israel and Palestine to exist as two states within secure and recognised borders; 3. Calls on the next Labor government to recognise Palestine as a state; and 4. Expects that this issue will be an important priority for the next Labor government.”

The resolution on nuclear commits Labor in government to sign and ratify the nuclear ban treaty after taking account of the need to “ensure an effective verification and enforcement architecture; ensure the interaction of the ban treaty with the longstanding nuclear non-proliferation treaty; and work to achieve universal support for the ban treaty”.

Updated

Posts are going to slow while the conference is on break.

The raid on the NSW Labor office has been confirmed by Labor peeps. They think it has something to do with issues which may have arisen in 2015 but, being an Icac investigation, there is nothing concrete at this stage.

Updated

The industrial relations chapter concludes with agreement on all motions.

And the conference breaks for lunch.

Updated

Bill Shorten is still on stage and is yet to address the raid.

Labor’s NSW headquarters has been raided as part of an ongoing Icac investigation.

Updated

The Labor leader says enterprise bargaining has failed Australian workers and a new system is needed.

This should include no more use of the term “permanent casual”.

Updated

Bill Shorten says there is a “two class” job system in Australia, with a casual, part-time market, unable to assert better pay and conditions, and full-timers.

He says stagnant wages growth is one of the biggest economic challenges facing Australia.

Updated

Labor to restore penalty rates

Bill Shorten says if elected, Labor will restore Sunday and public holiday penalty rates in the first 100 days.

That’s in response to the Fair Work Commission cutting down on Sunday and public holiday rates, after an independent review.

Updated

Bill Shorten is about to address the conference again, just as the IR chapter finishes up.

Updated

The minister for jobs and industrial relations Kelly O’Dwyer has picked up on the fact the Labor conference is not going to spell out how far its multi-employer bargaining policy will reach, accusing the opposition of “hiding the secret deal they have struck with the union movement”.

O’Dwyer:

“Industry-wide bargaining is a recipe for industrial conflict and chaos not seen since the 1970s, when industrial action was over 40 times higher than today.

“Labor knows the impact that industry-wide bargaining will have on the economy, which is why they are refusing to reveal their policy.”

At the National Press Club last week Labor’s industrial relations spokesman Brendan O’Connor twice refused to commit to release Labor’s entire industrial relations framework before the 2019 election. He said Labor would have “more to say” before the election but it was up to others to judge if it was “sufficiently … chapter and verse”.

The conference notes that the ACT, Queensland and Victorian Labor governments have introduced or committed to industrial manslaughter laws. We congratulate these Labor governments and encourage other state and territory governments to follow their lead.

Of the other 34 recommendations in the report the following are also particularly important:

  • The development of a policy which stipulates that all industrial deaths must be investigated as potential crime scenes;
  • The establishment of a dedicated WHS prosecutor in each jurisdiction; and
  • The amendment of the model WHS laws to provide for unions, injured workers and their families to bring prosecutions.

Conference endorses the recommendations in the report and supports their implementation by a future Shorten Labor government, working through SafeWork Australia, the state and territory governments and with the trade union movement.

All workers in Australia deserve to know that there are consequences to negligent and reckless conduct which may lead – or tragically does lead – to a death. Strong industrial manslaughter laws and penalties which act as a real deterrent are an essential element of providing safer workplaces.

This conference affirms our support for industrial manslaughter laws though amendments of WHS laws and/or the state and territory criminal codes and sets an objective to have industrial manslaughter laws enacted in all states and territories in Australia within the first year of a Shorten Labor government.

Updated

I took a moment to dash outside and grab some water and bumped into Pat Conroy. His linen jacket tried to sell me a timeshare.

There is quite a bit of speculation within Nationals ranks that one of the two women in the National party, Bridget McKenzie, could now be preselected for Mallee, giving her the lower house seat she has had her eye on.

As a senator, McKenzie’s leadership ambitions are slightly stymied. Indi was on the cards for a while, but looked like a risk. Could Mallee be the opportunity she was looking for?

There are plenty who think so.

The gender pay amendments are passed on the voices.

ACTU secretary Sally McManus has argued that Labor, union delegates and party leaders have experience of inequality while the Coalition is blind to poor pay outcomes because they have none.

She said: “It is then little wonder that the Coalition deny there is a problem with the number of insecure jobs. Because how would they know? Do they even have any mates who work for a labour hire company or are in involuntary casual work? Do you think they hang out with anyone on the minimum wage or even on the average wage? For them, the rest of us are just statistics to be distorted, repackaged or ignored ... What about their Uber driver, don’t they ask how much they are now earning an hour? What about the cafes? Do they ever stop and think to themselves, “Why did I take away that person’s penalty rates?” They must not even see us.”

McManus said that around the world people are “reacting against governments who do nothing because they do not even see us”. Labor and the trade union movement share a commitment to reverse insecure work and ensure that working people share the country’s wealth, she said.

In an olive branch to employers, McManus said the movement is “ready to reach out hand of cooperation to every good employer who also wants to live in a fair society”.

The speech did not hammer Labor for lack of specifics on how to fix bargaining, but did note that workers need to be able to “sit down with whoever holds the purse strings” – in reference to union calls for industry bargaining.

McManus paid tribute to Bill Shorten, saying when she met him 24 years ago he “stood out as a leader then and as someone special, someone who had the goods”.

“Like all union officials he intimately understands what it’s like when workers have no power, what its like to lose your job, what stresses are on people when they cannot support their family, insecure work, seeing the boss reward himself while refusing pay rises.”

She concluded:

“We are sounding the alarm now. We see the unfairness, we see the fair go being crushed with growing inequality. It is time to listen and to act. And Australian Labor, Bill Shorten, is doing just that. As this chapter outlines, Labor will take action on insecure work. Labor will take action to fix our wages system so working people get their fair share in pay rises. Labor will take action to address the gender pay gap. Because Labor hears working people, understands working people. Labor will act to change the rules to bring back fairness for working people.”

Updated

Labor moves to address gender pay gap

Tanya Plibersek is moving the gender pay gap amendment.

It was originally this:

Labor will take measurable action to address the gender pay gap and will update parliament each year on Australia’s progress. Labor will require the Fair Work Commission to take into account the principle of pay equity when conducting periodic reviews of modern awards, and will ensure that the equal remuneration provisions in the Fair Work Act deliver for low-paid women. Labor will shine a light on pay inequity, including by requiring companies with more than 1,000 employees to report their gender pay gap, and by prohibiting the use of pay secrecy clauses. Labor will undertake a gender pay gap review across commonwealth public service departments.

It has been changed to this:

Labor will take measurable action to address the gender pay gap and will update parliament each year on Australia’s progress.

Labor will require the Fair Work Commission to take into account the principle of pay equity when conducting periodic reviews of modern awards, and will ensure that the equal remuneration provisions in the Fair Work Act deliver for low paid women, ensure that the equal remuneration provisions in the Fair Work Act deliver for low-paid women. Labor will make gender pay equity an object of the Fair Work Act. Labor will establish a statutory equal remuneration principle, to guide the Fair Work Commission’s consideration of whether feminised industries are paid fairly. Labor will establish a new pay equity panel within the commission led by a new presidential member with specific expertise in gender pay equity, and fund the commission to establish a pay equity unit that will provide expert research support during equal remuneration matters, and more generally.

Labor will shine a light on pay inequity, including by updating parliament each year on Australia’s progress in closing the gender pay gap, by requiring companies with more than 1,000 employees to report their gender pay gap, and by prohibiting the use of pay secrecy clauses. Labor will undertake a gender pay gap review across commonwealth public service departments.

Updated

Speaking to the Today show, Tanya Plibersek explained why Labor would be addressing the gender pay gap:

Well what we’ll do is make it easier for the Fair Work Commission to order pay increases in female-dominated industries.

We’ll have a part of the commission that is expert in determining these issues, they’ll be given the resources to do research and investigate where there’s gendered undervaluation of work, and they’ll be able to order increases.

The commission will be able to take action based on recommendations from the government, based on applications from these industries or at its own initiative and what we’ve seen in past years – we’ve got laws that make it possible for industries to take these sorts of actions but we’ve only seen one successful case so far and that’s in the area of the social and community sector.

People who work in refuges, who work in drug and alcohol counselling or homelessness services, they got a pay increase – but this year, early childhood educators working in childcare centres were actually knocked back and I think anybody who has ever visited a childcare centre would know that that industry, which is 97% female, they work so hard, the work they do is so skilled, it’s fanciful to think that those women aren’t underpaid.

Tanya Plibersek speaks on Monday at the Labor party national conference in Adelaide.
Tanya Plibersek speaks on Monday at the Labor party national conference in Adelaide. Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAP

Updated

Brendan O’Connor has introduced the industrial relations chapter.

The key passage is: “The Fair Work Act has not adequately facilitated multi-employer collective bargaining. This is a particular issue for those industries where employees are low paid and where they lack industrial power. Labor will improve access to collective bargaining, including where appropriate through multi-employer collective bargaining.”

However, there are no amendments that further specify where multi-employer bargaining will be available.

O’Connor said that enterprise bargaining is “faltering in some parts of the labour market and in others failing altogether”, and blamed it as a cause of wage stagnation.

He said:

“If elected a Shorten Labor government will improve multi-employer bargaining so it is an effective pathway for fair outcomes ... Where enterprise bargaining has failed, multi-employer bargaining should be an available option.”

Bill Shorten waived his right to speak, and now Australian Council of Trade Unions secretary Sally McManus is a surprise seconder for this chapter.

Updated

Labor has moved on to the industrial relations section.

There is not expected to be any surprises in this chapter

Looking over the horizon to the foreign affairs debate this afternoon, here’s the short version. The left and the right have agreed on a motion that will commit a Labor government to making progress on the recognition of Palestine.

The wording will be stronger than a motion passed by the NSW party conference. But the motion will make it clear that the timing for recognition will be at the discretion of the government, assuming Labor wins the election next year.

After a scrap behind the scenes, there is also an agreed position on the nuclear treaty.

A motion moved by Anthony Albanese and Richard Marles will say Labor will sign the treaty, provided various conditions are met.

There will also be a motion committing Labor to increasing the aid budget every year, but it will not specify by how much.

The shadow foreign affairs minister Penny Wong will speak in both the Palestine debate, and the aid debate.

A pamphlet on Palestine is seen on a chair during day three of the Labor party national conference in Adelaide.
A pamphlet on Palestine is seen on a chair during day three of the Labor party national conference in Adelaide. Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAP

Updated

Further to Paul’s post, here is Andrew Barr’s take:

Federal Labor’s National Platform now commits our party to properly fund Australia’s great national institutions, pursue further tax reforms to help first home buyers and reduce discrimination against gay men by limiting the deferral period for blood donations following amendments I moved during the 48th National Conference.

Labor delegates also unanimously passed my resolution in support of Territory rights, which called on all MPs to vote in favour of restoring democratic rights for our community when this matter next comes before federal Parliament.

Labor’s National Platform is our party’s guiding manifesto and sets out a bold agenda for the next Labor Government. Amending the platform to include these important commitments shows our Government is taking every opportunity to pursue the ACT’s inclusive and progressive agenda nationally.

The national institutions amendment commits Labor to end years of cuts and underinvestment by the federal Liberal Government in our national cultural institutions, the majority of which are based in Canberra. Labor will prioritise sustainable funding for our national institutions and support them to continue growing their capacity to contribute to Australia’s cultural life.

My amendment on improving support for first home buyers acknowledges that stamp duty can be a significant barrier to buying a home, and confirms Federal Labor will work with the states and territories to explore further tax reform options that can offer better help for those seeking to find their own place to call home.

The blood donations amendment recognises that the existing deferral periods for gay men are outdated and stigmatising, while also restricting the available supply of badly-needed donor blood. Labor will act quickly on the basis of clinical advice to reduce the deferral period as another step towards addressing the exclusion faced by LGBTIQ Australians.

Over the past three days, Labor has debated and set a positive, progressive platform which responds to the needs and priorities of people around Australia, including Canberrans who are sick of the negativity and out-of-touch conservatism of the Liberals.

Updating the platform to address these important issues is another way we are working to deliver the ACT Government’s inclusive and progressive agenda for the Canberra community.

Labor conference has passed the resolution calling for universal decriminalisation of abortion.

Health spokeswoman Catherine King said the motion would help fix the “patchwork” of laws across the country, including the fact one third of women live in jurisdictions where abortion is not legal (New South Wales), and the “significant gaps in access for affordable healthcare”.

Shadow health minister Catherine King delivers a speech at the Labor party national conference.
Shadow health minister Catherine King delivers a speech at the Labor party national conference. Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAP

Beth Vincent-Pietsch seconded the motion and paid tribute to Labor for Choice leaders Grace Flanagan and Briony Roelandts.

She said the pair are like all great activists – “still focused on things they want to achieve”, a reference to the fact the ALP will not compel its parliamentarians to vote for decriminalisation by mandating a binding vote.

Plus, Beyoncé:

“When I look at what they’ve achieved in two years, Beyoncé was clearly right – Who Run The World? Girls.”

Updated

It is probably worth mentioning that Andrew Broad’s indiscretion occurred in Hong Kong, a Chinese territory, and it would be naive to think China wouldn’t be keeping tabs on Australian MPs and their activities while in their territories.

In one of the longest press releases of all time, Rex Patrick says the Andrew Broad situation highlights why MPs should have security checks too: (I’ve cut it down)

Centre Alliance senator Rex Patrick today called for Australian government ministers to be subject to a mandatory security checking regime to strengthen confidence in the integrity of the highest levels of government.

“The resignation of Andrew Broad, the assistant minister to the deputy prime minister, in highly compromising circumstances is only the latest incident that demonstrates the need to end to the long-standing exemption of federal ministers from any form of security checking,” Senator Patrick said.

“It is a striking and anomalous fact that while tens of thousands of Australian public servants, defence force personnel and government contractors are required to undergo comprehensive security, ministers are completely exempt from any security vetting.”

“Ministers of state occupy positions of the highest trust within the Australian government. Cabinet ministers are privy to the most sensitive decisions and information, including the highest levels of national security classified information. Other ministers and assistant ministers also have routine access to highly sensitive information including national security information.

“Security checking and clearance requirements apply to all staff of ministers, but not to ministers themselves.

“The current Australian Protective Security Policy Framework advances no reasons to support this exemption. This policy has been in place for many decades but has never been explained or justified. Minister are simply taken on trust.

“Accordingly I have drafted a private members’ bill, the minister of state (checks for security purposes) bill 2018, to ensure that the prime minister is fully informed of any security issues that may arise from the personal background and circumstances of persons who have been appointed as ministers of assistant ministers.”

Updated

And the statement from the man himself:

Andrew Broad will not contest the next election: confirmed

Senior National party sources have confirmed Andrew Broad has told the party he will not contest Mallee at the next election.

He won’t step down until the poll, meaning there will not be another byelection.

Updated

This has been quite the morning.

But for those asking about Bill Shorten’s speech this morning, here is how he ended it:

It’s always been the Labor party that makes the political heroes in this country. At our best, we are a movement focused on the future – but as Australia’s oldest continuous political party we have always revered our traditions and we take inspiration from our struggles in the past.

And we are better, we are stronger, we are more confident and more complete when we extend to our former leaders and legends the respect they deserve, the gratitude they have earned.

Labor can do more, indeed Australia can do more, to recognise the contribution of our past leaders – and to call upon their wisdom, their talents and their capacities in the continued service of our country.

There has been a lot of pain.

But today, I say to the conference, it is time for healing, to make peace with our past in the same way we are united about our future.

Our members and supporters – and more importantly, millions of Australians, they want to see us, Labor get this right.

To everything, there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven. And the time for recognition that what unites us is greater than what divides us has come.

So in the spirit of unity and solidarity and gratitude and respect I move that the party recognises the extraordinary contribution that Labor prime ministers make to Australia and to the Labor party by bestowing lifetime membership on former Labor prime ministers. And that this conference acknowledges the presence of our 26th prime minister, Kevin Rudd and his wife, Therese Rein, and their strong and enduring contribution to the nation and the modern Labor party.

Updated

Andrew Broad will not contest the next election; reports

It looks as though it is official:

Party sources are telling us the same thing, although Andrew Broad is not getting back to messages.

Here is where Labor landed on abortion:

National Conference resolves that legal, safe, affordable and accessible abortion is fundamental to social and economic equality for women and people with reproductive ability – and must be treated as a health issue.

National Conference acknowledges Queensland Labor’s significant reforms to decriminalise abortion and implement safe access zones for patients and workers.

These reforms are a consequence of Labor implementing progressive sexual and reproductive health policy.

National Conference notes efforts in New South Wales and South Australia to decriminalise abortion, following their previous reforms to enhance access.

National Conference notes that there is still a lack of legal certainty, accessibility and funding across all states and territories which means that many women and people with reproductive ability are denied access to vital reproductive and sexual health services.

National Conference calls on federal, state and territory Labor governments to reduce barriers to reproductive and sexual healthcare across Australia.

National Conference supports efforts to decriminalise abortion, eliminate the prohibitive cost of surgical abortion through provision in public hospitals, provision of safe access zones, and fully funded, universal access to surgical and medical abortion, particularly for patients in rural and remote areas across Australia.

Labor in government will work with states and territories, and relevant training bodies to address the skills shortage in provision of sexual and reproductive health services. National Conference welcomes commitments from party leadership that a federal Labor government will use commonwealth and state funding agreements to secure safe, affordable, accessible abortion across Australia.

National Conference calls on all Labor governments and caucuses to prioritise reproductive and sexual healthcare policies in their legislative agendas.

Updated

The Australian is reporting Andrew Broad has announced he will not contest the next federal election, but will remain in parliament until the election.

ACT chief minister Andrew Barr has successfully moved an amendment to cut the wait period for men who have sex with men to donate blood.

The platform now states:

“Labor acknowledges that the Australian Red Cross blood service has previously recommended that the current 12-month deferral period for men who have sex with men is excessive and beyond what is required to maintain a safe blood supply, and notes that the blood service is currently reviewing the deferrals policy again. Labor will act urgently on any advice from the blood service and the Therapeutic Goods Administration to reduce the deferral period for men who have sex with men. This will increase blood supply and reduce the inequality and social harm caused by this discriminatory policy.”

Barr described the change as “highly symbolic” and “practical” because it will “increase the blood supply and decrease the exclusion” of men who have sex with men. The Red Cross currently relies on blood donated by just 3% of the population, causing local shortages.

Barr said men who have sex with men who want to donate to save others’ lives “are not a threat to Australia’s blood supply and it’s the time rules changed to acknowledge this”.

Updated

I am told there is “peace in our time” on the upcoming Palestine and nuclear treaty motions.

That’s another couple of issues tied up.

Labor looks like signing up to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, with a few caveats (it’s a bit of an issue that we are allied with the United States, who, of course, have nuclear weapons). You can find the background from Paul Karp, here.

The Palestinian motion looks like a version of the NSW Labor conference motion – which was along these lines (from 2017)

The motion carried by delegates in Sydney on Sunday night affirmed the two-state solution, and it recognised Israel and Palestine’s right to exist “within secure and recognised borders” before urging the next Labor government to recognise Palestine.”

But goes a little further. We’ll keep you posted.

Updated

I still can’t get over this answer from Michael McCormack on whether he believes the Andrew Broad situation is further evidence of issues the National party has with women:

“Certainly in the National party, both the women in my party, Bridget McKenzie, my deputy leader, and Michelle Landry, are minister ... ”

Both. Women. Out of 22 MPs. Two are women.

Gabrielle Chan wrote about more of the issues facing the National party and its “good bloke” culture, here

Updated

Also from the Michael McCormack press conference:

Q: What do you know about those allegations?

A: Only what I’ve read in the paper today. So you had no prior knowledge. Absolutely no prior knowledge.

Q: When did you find out the allegations?

A: What I’ve just been asked about? When I opened the paper up.

Q: Some members of the party [have alleged they knew of other allegations].

A: If you’re referring to the other allegations, I had no knowledge of any allegations of improper conduct until I opened up the paper this morning.

Updated

Conference just passed this amendment:

“Labor will ... deliver fairer and timely access to dental care by taking steps towards the establishment of universal dental care, beginning with the expansion of the provision of dental care to the most vulnerable in our community and also focus on prevention of oral diseases.”

That is why they do fear and try to do it so well.

That is the eternal division of Labor and our politics.

We do hope, they do fear. We build up, they tear down.

We extend the tent of the nation and invite others in and with paint on a broader canvass.

The other mob draw up the drawbridge.

That is us, that is them and that is the great debate that we have in fighting for the future of our nation’s soul.

Of course, they do so in partnership with a very robust coalition partner – I am not talking about the Nats, I am talking about the Murdoch party.

You know Murdoch, it is not a news organisation, it is a political party.

Ever read what they say? It is just like a political party. Our movement has the audacity of hope to stand up and say, “We don’t accept your ideology and your commercial interests. We actually revile against them.”

That is why they hate us so much.

That is why they hooked into Bill. That is why they hooked into Julia.

That is why they hooked into me. That is why they hooked into Paul.

That is why they hooked into Bob ... Because we represent a threat to their core commercial and ideological interests.

You know, you contrast that with the Murdoch party as said treatment of Saint John of Howard. I mean, you just think about it, folks.

There is the guy with waterfront home, there is the bloke with WorkChoices stripping away basic working conditions and salary for the most defenceless members of the community.

There is the invasion of Iraq. 100,000 dead.

No weapons of mass destruction. You have the creation of a whole new terrorist movement, called Isil. You surrender Iraq to Iran. You see the implosion of Syria and you see the expulsion of Christians from the Middle East having happily coexisted for 1400 years.

Then you have just got weapons, a bit of Tampa and children overboard. This is the leadership that Morrison inspires to have for the nation.

Whereas for us and for Bill, dealing with the Murdoch Mafia is kind of like dealing with a daily evisceration. It ain’t fair, it never will be and as soon as we acknowledge that fact, the better we will be in our response.

There is a simple message I have for Rupert Murdoch. You don’t own Australia. Murdoch doesn’t have Australia as his own personal belonging. This country belongs to the working men and women who build Australia.

Finally, for the young people here today, can I just say this: take heart. If you are feeling a bit discouraged by politics from time to time, hook into it even harder. If politics is your vocation, go for it.

If you want to happen build even deeper, the fair go for all across the fabric of our society and our economy and what we do in the world, get into it. If you want to do something about navigating our nation as future, given the huge global challenges that we now face with anything like artificial intelligence, through to climate change and the challenges that it presents, through to the huge debates now merging between China and the United States – I encourage each and every one of you to get into it.

Women and men of goodwill, of good heart and of good mind, the Australian Labor movement needs each and every one of you.

Former prime minister Kevin Rudd (centre) delivers a speech alongside his wife Therese Rein, ahead of receiving the Labor lifetime membership.
Former prime minister Kevin Rudd (centre) delivers a speech alongside his wife Therese Rein, ahead of receiving the Labor lifetime membership. Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAP

Updated

Not informing Scott Morrison about the Andrew Broad issue because he had “enough on his mind” is just like the time I dented the car after crashing my bike into it and didn’t tell my parents because they also had enough on their mind.

That also didn’t go down so well.

Updated

Labor’s health spokeswoman Catherine King has introduced the health chapter, calling on the party to help secure “safe and affordable terminations”.



The Labor for Choice group were pushing for a binding vote requiring Labor MPs to vote in favour of decriminalisation. I was expecting that to be debated in the rules section this afternoon, although the rules chapter has been shelved and that amendment was tipped to fail in any event.

Conference will pass the following resolution instead in the health chapter:
National Conference resolves that legal, safe, affordable and accessible abortion is fundamental to social and economic equality for women and people with reproductive ability – and must be treated as a health issue.

National Conference acknowledges Queensland Labor’s significant reforms to decriminalise abortion and implement safe access zones for patients and workers.

These reforms are a consequence of Labor implementing progressive sexual and reproductive health policy.

National Conference notes efforts in New South Wales and South Australia to decriminalise abortion, following their previous reforms to enhance access.

National Conference notes that there is still a lack of legal certainty, accessibility and funding across all states and territories which means that many women and people with reproductive ability are denied access to vital reproductive and sexual health services.

National Conference calls on federal, state and territory Labor governments to reduce barriers to reproductive and sexual healthcare across Australia.

National Conference supports efforts to decriminalise abortion, eliminate the prohibitive cost of surgical abortion through provision in public hospitals, provision of safe access zones, and fully funded, universal access to surgical and medical abortion, particularly for patients in rural and remote areas across Australia.

Labor in government will work with states and territories, and relevant training bodies to address the skills shortage in provision of sexual and reproductive health services. National Conference welcomes commitments from party leadership that a federal Labor government will use commonwealth and state funding agreements to secure safe, affordable, accessible abortion across Australia.

National Conference calls on all Labor governments and caucuses to prioritise reproductive and sexual healthcare policies in their legislative agendas.

Updated

Kevin Rudd:

I honour also Labor prime ministers past – Bob Hawke, Paul Keating and the very formidable Julia Gillard.

And their contributions to our party and to our nation.

Just as I honour also the next Labor prime minister of Australia, Bill Shorten.

I honour his strength, his resilience, his capacity to build consensus and what is often a motley crew.

And beyond that, a deep engrained instinct for the interests and the wellbeing of working families as I cross this nation.

So, Bill, I honour, too, your contribution to the party and to the nation. For you, the women and men of the great Australian Labor movement, I honour each and every one of you.

Members of trade unions, members of party branches, members of community organisations.

All you folks out there in the front line of the fight every day of the week, every week of the year – it ain’t easy, it is all hard and, yet, we prevail.

I thank each and every one of you. I would thank this national conference also for extending to me the great honour of national life membership.

Bill just mentioned that as prime minister we did the same – or as leader of the opposition we did the same for Gough in 07 and Bob in 09.

Gough spoke for just over half an hour. Bob nearly went the full hour.

So just settle back and relax, each and every one of you, but, as is mandatory to say on these occasions, “I intend to be brief”, although I’ll need every element of specificity in my bones to be short.

I grew up in a poor family. I never went to anything like a high school. When my dad died my mother began to fret that the runt of the litter, this sickly kid, that is me, would make it to university, that she couldn’t afford it.

Then came Gough. He made it possible for poor kids like me to get to university. It was an extraordinary revolution in Australia. Folks like me could get to where we wanted to go.

My mother, who was a excited Catholic and DLP voter, celebrated and offered up a full decades of the rosary for Gough.

I mentioned this story to Gough to which his immortal reply was, “Comrade, that simply adds further lustre to my aura.”

With love him and we love him still.

So my life since then, friends, has just been the simple business of how do you pay it back?

We have been the been fisheries of so many things for those who have come before us. How do we pay it forward?

That is the business of our movement. So that is why 37 years ago I joined this party.

That is why 30 years ago, together with Wayne Swan, we want to work with a young bloke in Queensland called Wayne Goss because we thought we just might have half a chance of turning around that significant slice of federation and bringing it back to the mainstream of Australian national life.

Goss did that. That is why 20 years ago I had the audacity to stick up my hand and ask to be preselected and elected as a member of this parliament and the rest is history. Friends, Bill has just said in the history of every political party, there is a time for healing.

For us, to fully grasp the future, we have to put to bed the disagreements of the past. For us, that time has well and truly come.

That is why I am here. You know, we had our occasional disagreements. Just here and there, at the margins, but you know something, with all have written our bit and I just have a simple suggestion.

Let’s let history be the judge of these things. I base that also on a pretty simple view that the values which union fight us, as a Labor movement, as a Labor party and as a trade union movement, are infinitely broader and bigger and greater than any single ambition which may individually divide us from time to time. Because we are Labor!

Updated

Kevin Rudd has had a big serve at Rupert Murdoch and “News Limited” (now News Corp Australia).

Rudd said the Murdoch news empire “is not a news organisation, it’s a political party” and said that it had come after himself, Julia Gillard and Bill Shorten because they refuse to favour News Limited’s commercial interests – “that’s why they hate us so much”.

“I have a simple message to Mr Murdoch from citizen Rudd: you don’t own Australia, Murdoch doesn’t have Australia as its personal belonging. This country belongs to the working men and women.”

While launching the second volume of his autobiography in October, Rudd said Murdoch had prosecuted a “direct agenda” to topple him and then Malcolm Turnbull as prime minister.

Updated

Therese Rein has taken to the stage to accept her life membership, and she is a little teary as she talks about the “huge difference” the party has made to the country and the story it has to tell.

She speaks about reconciliation and gets emotional, but in her softly spoken way, commands the room and gets another standing ovation at the end.

But Michael McCormack does not think he should resign over how he handled the matter, or for not telling the prime minister, who has “got enough on his mind”, and apparently, doesn’t know anyone else who thinks he should either:

I don’t know anybody who thinks I should resign. I’ve made the right course of action. Indeed, Andrew Broad has taken the right course of action.

I’m doing a very difficult job, dealing with this over the last 48 hours with a staff member and then the member of parliament.

These are not the sorts of things a leader wants to be focused on and wants to be facing down cameras talking about. I’m on the Richmond River Bridge, which wouldn’t have happened but for our government and but for our strong economic policies and economy that we’ve been able to build the sorts-of-infrastructure we need and deserve.”

The staff member reference there, is about Barry O’Sullivan’s staffer who sent a vile text message, wishing awful things to a female journalist, because she wrote about the issues the National party has with women. But that’s cool though, because the staffer didn’t mean the message to go to the journalist, he meant it for someone else, which obviously makes it just fine to wish those things against another person and their family.

But hey. McCormack has had a difficult 48 hours people.

Updated

But the National party has no problems with women. Just ask Michael McCormack, who asked BOTH the women in his party about it.

Certainly in the National Party, both the women in my party, Bridget McKenzie, my deputy leader, and Michelle Landry, are ministers and certainly the women’s council of the National Party at a federal and at a state level are doing a fantastic job to encourage more women to put their hands up for office and I know, on the weekend, in Wagga Wagga, we selected an outstanding female candidate for that seat and there were only two candidates and both of them were women.

And I think the Wagga Wagga candidate would be an excellent member going forward.

...The party encourages women to be branch members and to run for office.”

But seriously, why didn’t Michael McCormack follow up and tell the leader of his Coalition partner?

Well, because it was a matter of ongoing ... he reported the matter to the AFP and I felt, well, that’s a matter for the AFP.

If they find anything untoward – which obviously they haven’t – then that is entirely a matter for the AFP and if something comes of that, well, something comes of it.

Otherwise I thought it was a matter for him and his family to sort out.

When you go on one of these expeditions and, as we’ve seen yesterday in the magazine article, what is uncovered, then that probably is a matter he should take up with his family and really I didn’t think it was a matter that I even knew about, let alone needed to take up with the prime minister.

The fact is it was a personal trip. He made a very bad decision, but a very bad decision I wasn’t aware of all the facts of.”

Because it is entirely normal to suggest to someone they contact the AFP, after meeting someone for dinner suddenly becomes a cause for concern. Apparently.

Updated

This made me almost choke on my coffee:

We don’t, in the National party, condone improper practices.

We don’t condone anything of this nature and the full text messages and everything that has been outlined yesterday was the first time I had been aware of those particular text messages between the two parties.

I had no prior knowledge of that. All I was aware of was that he was on a personal trip. That he’d sought a date. He’d gone on that date and, he told me, that nothing further had occurred, apart from the fact that, later on, the person with whom he went on the trip, had allegedly made contact with him and as a result of that contact, then he was concerned – and I said, “Well, if you’re concerned, and if you haven’t done so already, you should go to the proper authorities,” and he obviously has.

Updated

Why didn’t Michael McCormack tell the prime minister immediately?

Because I thought it was a personal matter between him and his family. I don’t tell the prime minister everything about every member of parliament.

He’s got enough on his mind at the moment and quite frankly I thought it was a matter for Andrew to sort out with his family.

Obviously, I wasn’t aware of the entire extent of what had taken place. I wasn’t made aware of that and I wasn’t made aware of that until yesterday”

Which doesn’t entirely make sense, given that he knew enough to tell Andrew Broad to go to the AFP over what happened. And he became leader because the former leader didn’t exactly paint himself in glory either. In circumstances which, while not completely the same, are most certainly in the same ballpark.

Updated

Michael McCormack says Andrew Broad should 'consider his future'

Michael McCormack, wearing a hardhat and a fluro vest, is attempting to explain how “a couple of weeks” became almost six weeks ago, in regards to when he found out about the Andrew Broad situation:

Like I don’t carry around all my dates and times of every time everybody rings me about things, I don’t and can’t possibly verify every travel piece of information that every one of the members of parliament also do.

That would be a matter you would have to take up with Mr Broad. I would like to think that every member of parliament uses the taxpayers’ money wisely and properly. That is the condition of our employment.

We have a huge honour and privilege to represent the people we do and the fact is, you know, if that is proven, that he has not entirely followed the procedures laid town very clearly, then he needs to pay the money back and do it quickly.

That’s a matter for Mr Broad and his electorate council. I think he should consider his future. I do. But then again I have to say that’s a matter for Mr Broad.

Updated

Kevin Rudd has a cold.

Updated

Not all delegates seem to be feeling the love though.

Updated

Kevin Rudd thanks the party and former leaders, including the “very formidable Julia Gillard”.

He also thanks Bill Shorten and says he admires him for his strength, drive, resilience and commitment to consensus.



Updated

“There has been a lot of pain. But today I say to the conference, it is time for healing,” Bill Shorten says, adding that “what unites us is greater” than what has previously divided the party.

There is a standing ovation as Therese and Kevin accept the life membership.

“Therese, you and Kevin, and your children know ... the toll [public life] can take on a family,” Shorten says, as he introduces Therese Rein.

He says he has been inspired by her passion for disability work.

Updated

Kevin Rudd and Therese Rein are being welcomed with a standing ovation.

Bill Shorten says it is his honour to confer Labor party life membership to Gough Whitlam, Bob Hawke, Paul Keating, Julia Gillard and Rudd.

Gillard’s name gets a giant cheer from the room.

Shorten says both Keating and Gillard send their regards, and will be getting their memberships in person on another occasion.

Rudd is welcomed to the stage. There is a lot of cheers acknowledging he abolished Work Choices and saying sorry to the stolen generations. But if there was an applause o-meter on the floor of the conference, Gillard would be out ahead.

Updated

Wayne Swan is calling for the room to settle down. He’s back, he has his gong, and he is not afraid to use it.

We have visual confirmation – the Pat Conroy linen jacket is back.

When you have been holed up in the Adelaide convention centre for 10 hours a day, for three days straight, you begin to latch on to whatever pieces of sunlight you can. Conroy’s brave Gold Coast-lite sartorial choices is it for today.

It has taken three days, but Scott Morrison has acknowledged the Labor federal conference:

Pauline Hanson got in about 17 hours ago with the same message:

Updated

And further to that gender pay gap motion Tanya Plibersek has been leading, Paul Karp has you covered on the details:

Labor will legislate to help women get equal pay to men through a raft of changes to increase pay orders in female-dominated industries.

As conference debates the industrial relations chapter this morning the shadow minister for women, Tanya Plibersek, and the workplace relations spokesman, Brendan O’Connor, will announce changes to restructure the Fair Work Commission and enshrine equal pay as an objective of the Fair Work Act.

In addition to the new objective – which will be considered in all pay decisions, including on the minimum wage and penalty rates – the bar for making an equal pay order will be lowered to boost pay in industries such as early childhood, aged care and disability services.

If elected, Labor will appoint a second Fair Work Commission president, who will preside over a pay equity panel to decide on equal pay cases, guided by a new equal remuneration principle.

Updated

Katharine Murphy reported on the latest Guardian Essential poll:

More than half of voters in the latest Guardian Essential poll believe Bill Shorten and Labor will win the next federal election. Only 21% think the Morrison government can recover from a horror year and prevail at the polls in 2019.

The disillusionment of Australian voters is also palpable in the final opinion survey of the year – 65% of the sample of 1,026 respondents say 2018 has been a particularly bad year for Australian politics and 57% saying it has been a bad year for the federal government.

That collective thumbs-down about the state of the national discourse is even more visceral than last year – likely reflecting the impact of yet another coup against a sitting prime minister, and a turbulent year peppered with byelection contests triggered by the section 44 fracas. In the final poll of last year, 54% of the sample felt it had been a particularly bad year for Australian politics.

Labor remains ahead of the Coalition in the latest survey, as it has in every Guardian Essential poll this year, suggesting a hard-baked trend. The opposition is ahead of the government on the two-party-preferred measure 53% to 47%. A fortnight ago, Labor was ahead 54% to 46%.

You can read the whole report here.

Updated

Oh Therese Rein is also being awarded life membership.

So what’s going on?

Kevin Rudd will accept his life membership (which is being bestowed upon all former Labor prime ministers) at 9.30.

Then, after the happy family photo shoot, it is on to the health chapter. What to do with abortion is probably the biggest issue there. There doesn’t look like being a binding motion to decriminalise abortion, with the wording looking like supporting women and their health choices.

Then it is on to IR. Addressing the gender pay gap, Tanya Plibersek’s motion is to be discussed there.

Fundraising code of conduct and code of conduct for party members (part of the rules) will be dealt with in the national secretaries section, before lunch.

Which is basically an informal decision to defer the rest of the rules debate. They are doing the bits they have to do – the code of conduct stuff – but anything contentious will be put off.

Updated

Stephen Conroy is happy to skip the national executive. Kim Carr is on, but for a year, is my understanding.

Yesterday we had From Little Things Big Things Grow.

Today, we have A Long Way to the Top playing through the conference speakers on repeat.

Updated

Matt Canavan is also in Adelaide before the energy Coag meeting tomorrow, which is also in the city of churches.

He’s talking up coal. Which I am sure is as surprising as a family values politician being found out for something decidedly un-family values.

Protesters are also in town. How Deirdre Chambers!

Updated

Andrew Broad is still dominating headlines. The Herald Sun had more this morning.

Updated

Good morning

Welcome to the final day of the Labor conference, where policy on nuclear weapons, industrial relations, abortion and Palestine are to be decided.

And the national executive should be finalised.

We are hearing that a decision on the “rules” – the rules that govern the Labor party –is being put off. The left was expected to push for further democratisation of the party, but it didn’t have the numbers.

But delegates are saying the rules debate will be deferred and the conference shut down at four.

It would have been one of the few debates of this conference with observable unresolved differences and, given the push to keep all the mess out of the public floor view, you can see why the party would want to defer. It’s not public policy, but party policy – and that is always the messiest part of any conference.

Bill Shorten’s office is yet to get back to us to confirm that it will be officially deferred, but we’ll keep you updated.

Katharine Murphy and Paul Karp are with you. And there are rumours that Pat Conroy’s linen jacket may be back as well. It’s that sort of day.

I hope you stay with us as the final aspects of Labor’s policy platform are stitched together. And let’s not forget Kevin Rudd is also here today. He’s here to help (and accept lifetime membership of the party).

I hope you have your coffee. I have two.

Ready?

Let’s go.

Updated

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