Whose party?

Rosinante Quixote

Dear Member of the Tasmanian Branch of the Australian Labor Party,

I write as neither a member nor a partisan supporter of your party. Nevertheless, I have great respect for the principles upon which the party is based: fair distribution of the benefits of economic growth; improvement in welfare and living standards of Australians; and the reallocation of resources based on need.

Your party is one of lofty ideals The party has an impressive record of achievement for working Australians. It is a party of egalitarianism and opportunity. It is a party with a history of putting principle before profit, and collective benefits ahead of personal gain. It has been a party which has not been afraid to question the intentions and incentive of big business.

Most importantly, it has been a party owned by its members.

Very recently in this state, there have been very public questions raised about Labor Party membership. The essence of those questions concerns a person’s right to retain party membership because he questions a government decision.

Is the Tasmanian Branch of the ALP now owned by the government?

Would you consider rejecting a member on the basis that he or she demands ethical, accountable and open decision making by a government?

If, as prominent members of the government assert, you are either with us or against us, where do you as a party member stand?

What will you do?

Will you sit back and watch whilst the fine tradition of your party is sullied for self-interest? Or will you assert your ownership of the party from those who seek to undermine its fine traditions?

Rosinante Quixote