Australian Young Labor

Australian Young Labor
President Edward McDougall
Founded 1891
Headquarters Canberra, Australia
Ideology Social democracy,
Democratic socialism,
Third Way
Mother party Australian Labor Party
International affiliation International Union of Socialist Youth

Australian Young Labor is the youth wing of the Australian Labor Party, where all members under age 26 are automatically members. It is the peak youth body within the ALP. Former Presidents of AYL have included former NSW Premier Bob Carr, Federal Minister for Agriculture Tony Burke, Special Minister of State Senator John Faulkner, former Australian Workers Union National Secretary and current Member for Maribyrnong and Federal Labor Leader Bill Shorten as well as dozens of State Ministers and MPs. The current national president is Edward McDougall, from the New South Wales Right.

Ideology

Young Labor emulates many of the functions of the senior party. National conferences are held in Canberra, as well as conferences at a state level, where policy is submitted and debated by elected delegates and members of Young Labor.

Organisation

Each state has its own branch of Young Labor, functioning as a party unit (referred to as New South Wales Young Labor, Victorian Young Labor, etc.). Nationally, the branches are federated to the National organisation, which has its own President and executive.

Regional branches

Region

President

  • Edward McDougall
  • Michael Pettersson
  • Jessica Malnersic
  • Alasdair Henderson
  • Joshua Millroy
  • Tim Picton
  • Adam Clarke
  • Shannon Threlfall-Clarke
  • Robert Williamson

Secretary

  • Mitchell Watt
  • Greg Stewart
  • Aaron Duke
  • Cameron Angus
  • Taylor Bunnag
  • Stephanie Gheller
  • Natalie Jones
  • Jenna Amos
  • Rebecca Doyle

Activities and roles

Young Labor is most active during state and federal elections, campaigning in marginal seats. The youth wing of the party may organise members to door knock an electorate or set up a stand in shopping centers to hand out political party notes. Members are often also asked to 'letterbox' party advertising.

Each year Australian Young Labor holds a conference in Canberra. The conference is held at the Australian National University and typically features guest speakers from the ALP.

At the conference several positions are elected by delegates chosen from state branches. Fifteen executive positions are also elected. The National Young Labor President is a non-voting representative on the Australian Labor Party National Executive.

External links

References