The Independent Left, or the Ferguson Left or Soft Left as it is more commonly known, is a political faction within the Australian Labor Party.[1] The faction was founded by Martin Ferguson, a former president of the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU). The power base of the Ferguson Left is concentrated in the NSW and Victorian branch of the party.
Although educated in Sydney, Martin Ferguson is a Victorian member of the Australian House of Representatives. Ferguson Left is a sub-faction is within the federal parliamentary left faction, membership viewed in the Australian Labor Party Caucus 2004-2007. Members include Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Minister for Home Affairs Brendan O'Connor. Outside of federal politics faction membership extends to former Victorian government Minister for Housing and Local Government Candy Broad, and Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) Assistant National Secretary Michael O'Connor.
The Ferguson Left faction is often seen as more moderate than the larger and older Socialist Left faction.
Some MPs outside Victoria are close to the group, including Daryl Melham (NSW), Warren Snowdon (NT) and Ferguson's brother Laurie Ferguson (NSW).[2]