Authenticity and core values...
I have just returned from the ALP national conference. National conferences are full of contradictions, intrigue, and yes some boring speeches. The media portrayed the conference as bland and stage managed. Well, if that was the public perception then so be it but it is really just the tip of the iceberg.
The reality is the work on progressing policies begins months out from the conference with party members, trade unions, NGO’s and various other people in the community being consulted and having input into the development of the platform of the party. In fact some policies areas are the result of years of lobbying, negotiating and campaigning for change. The platform settled on will continue to evolve into the future.
What the media did not report on were the intense caucus debates held out of the glare of the media spotlight, where passionate contributions and contests of ideas were played out. The ALP believes in a collective decision making process, we argue, we disagree but we acknowledge that when the time comes we must agree on something that reflects the diverse views of the party and allows us to govern in the best interests of the community. You win some arguments and you lose some but the contest of ideas occurs and will continue because through this debate comes better outcomes for all.
The other key element of the conference were the various fringe events held on all matter of policy areas, from economics, refugees, health, industry and infrastructure to the environment and presentations on progressive campaigning.
Two things stood out for me;
The first was the life membership presentation to former Prime Minister Bob Hawke. Bob’s speech was more than just a thank you it was a reminder on what values the labour movement represents. They are core community values, values such as equity, justice, dignity and respect and taking actions that unite our community as opposed to dividing. Bob made the point that while the community and politics constantly evolves fundamental values and the guiding principals of the labour movement remain the same.
The second was a speaker at a fringe event, Jeff Blodgett, Barack Obama’s campaign director in the state of Minnesota. There were three elements to Obama’s campaign, authenticity (a values based candidate), strategy (a clear understanding on why when and how) and the importance of involvement of the community in a genuine grass roots campaign. I was fortunate enough to spend some time with Jeff outside of his presentation and he reinforced in me my views on how I want to conduct myself in political life and how I want to run my campaign.
It is no surprise that the message from the past in Bob Hawke and the future in Barack Obama are similar. Decent values are important, people want to know those that represent them live those values in their day to day life and apply them in a decision making process.
It is easy to be cynical and for the media to only look for division. So unity and mature debate may be boring but I can tell you the contest of ideas and passion for our future is as strong as it ever has been.
The reality is the work on progressing policies begins months out from the conference with party members, trade unions, NGO’s and various other people in the community being consulted and having input into the development of the platform of the party. In fact some policies areas are the result of years of lobbying, negotiating and campaigning for change. The platform settled on will continue to evolve into the future.
What the media did not report on were the intense caucus debates held out of the glare of the media spotlight, where passionate contributions and contests of ideas were played out. The ALP believes in a collective decision making process, we argue, we disagree but we acknowledge that when the time comes we must agree on something that reflects the diverse views of the party and allows us to govern in the best interests of the community. You win some arguments and you lose some but the contest of ideas occurs and will continue because through this debate comes better outcomes for all.
The other key element of the conference were the various fringe events held on all matter of policy areas, from economics, refugees, health, industry and infrastructure to the environment and presentations on progressive campaigning.
Two things stood out for me;
The first was the life membership presentation to former Prime Minister Bob Hawke. Bob’s speech was more than just a thank you it was a reminder on what values the labour movement represents. They are core community values, values such as equity, justice, dignity and respect and taking actions that unite our community as opposed to dividing. Bob made the point that while the community and politics constantly evolves fundamental values and the guiding principals of the labour movement remain the same.
The second was a speaker at a fringe event, Jeff Blodgett, Barack Obama’s campaign director in the state of Minnesota. There were three elements to Obama’s campaign, authenticity (a values based candidate), strategy (a clear understanding on why when and how) and the importance of involvement of the community in a genuine grass roots campaign. I was fortunate enough to spend some time with Jeff outside of his presentation and he reinforced in me my views on how I want to conduct myself in political life and how I want to run my campaign.
It is no surprise that the message from the past in Bob Hawke and the future in Barack Obama are similar. Decent values are important, people want to know those that represent them live those values in their day to day life and apply them in a decision making process.
It is easy to be cynical and for the media to only look for division. So unity and mature debate may be boring but I can tell you the contest of ideas and passion for our future is as strong as it ever has been.
posted by David at
5:14 AM
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