About ACT Labor

ACT Branch Structure

Annual Conference
Branch Council
Administrative Committee
Policy Committees
Electorate Councils
Campaign Committee
Other Committees

Annual Conference

The Branch Conference is by far the biggest event on the Party calendar. Usually held in the last weekend of June, the Annual Conference has a 50/50 representation between delegates from affiliated unions and delegates represented by the sub-branches. Annual Conference has the power to amend the Constitution, Rules, Policy and Platform of the Party. It is here that the Policy Committees, which have been working on their respective policy amendments and additions over the last 12 months, present their revisions for discussion, alteration and/or ratification by the delegates. Annual Conference also debates Rule changes to the Party, usually put forward by the Rules and Boundaries Committee, and general resolutions and changes to the platform which are submitted by individual sub-branches for debate.

The final policy and rules changes are then incorporated into the Party's "Platform, Rules and Regulations". This document is the backbone of the Party: It is a statement of the guiding principles and the detailed policy and rules that define the ACT ALP.

At each Annual Conference the Branch Executive are elected, which consist of the President, the Senior and Junior Vice Presidents, and fifteen members of the Administrative Committee. The Secretary/Treasurer position is elected every three years. Annual conference also elects delegates to a number of Committees of Conference, such as Credentials Committee, Rules and Boundaries Committee, Disputes Tribunal, Fundraising Committee and Finance Committee, and 5 members to the Labor Club board. Additionally, 7 members of each Policy Committee are elected from the Conference delegates. And finally, Conference elects delegates to National Conference and the National Executive as required.

Members get to be a part of the Annual Conference by being elected by their local Sub-Branch or by representing their affiliated union. The number of delegates from each sub-Branch depends on their respective size.

Branch Council

Branch Council is the decision making body between Annual Conference. It has a similar structure to Annual Conference, in that its representation is 50/50 between delegates from affiliated unions and delegates from sub-branches. At Branch Council the Secretary and President give reports for consideration, and elected representatives may also give reports if required. Sub-branches, Policy Committees, Administrative Committee and other Committees of the Party send resolutions to Council for debate. It is at Branch Council that many of the major issues throughout the year are decided.

Administrative Committee

The Administrative Committee acts as the administrative authority of the Party between meetings of Branch Council. Administrative Committee consists of the Branch President, Senior and Junior Vice-Presidents, the Branch Secretary, and 15 members elected from Annual Conference. Particular duties of the Administrative Committee include carrying out the decisions and directions of Branch Council, responsibility for publicity including pamphlets and other publications, to exercise control over the Party's funds (for both general business and on-going campaigns and elections), and to keep proper records of sub-branch and affiliate membership. Another important duty of the Administrative Committee is to prepare the agenda for Annual Conference.

Policy Committees

Policy Committees are the engines of policy development and debate in the Party. Membership is open to any member and you can join by nominating at your sub-branch meeting. There are also seven members elected at each Annual Conference. Each Committee elects a Convenor and a Secretary. Policy Committees generally meet monthly.

The nine Policy Committees are:

• Communication & Information Technology
• Community Services
• Economics, Employment and Industrial Relations
• Education
• Environment and Urban Infrastructure
• Foreign Affairs, Defence & Trade
• Legal and Administrative Reform
• Social Justice and Equity
• Status of Women

All the other units in the Party can forward resolutions to policy committees to request that they look at a particular issue. Policy Committees are primarily responsible for the development of amendments or additions to the ACT Branch platform for debate at Annual Conference each year.
Other activities by Policy Committees include meeting with the MLAs and MP's to discuss the way in which our public office holders implement the Party platform in their portfolio area; inviting speakers from local community organisation involved in their area of policy; and consulting with the Electorate Councils and Campaign Committee in drafting election promises for the ACT Legislative Assembly elections.

Electorate Councils

There are two Federal Electorate Councils - based on the federal electorates of Canberra and Fraser. In addition, there are three Territory Electorate Councils - based on the ACT Legislative Assembly electorates of Brindabella, Ginninderra and Molonglo. The Electorate Councils consist of sub-branch delegates from each sub-branch within the electorate, the secretary of each sub-branch from within the electorate, and ALP members of the House of Representatives, Senate and Legislative Assembly for the respective electorate.

The duties of the Electorate Councils include conducting local and general election campaigns, to further the interests and to extend the influence of the Party within the electorate, and to raise and expend funds for election campaign purposes. Electorate Councils elect an Executive from within themselves, which consists of President, vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Community Activities Officer and Policy Development Officer.

Campaign Committee

Campaign Committee oversees all continuous and election-specific campaigning in consultation with the Electorate Councils, Policy Committees and the Administrative Committee.

Other Committees

There are a number of other committees of the Party, which all have particular functions. Unless noted otherwise, all these committees are elected from the delegates to the Annual Conference.

Rules And Boundaries - Makes recommendations on the rules and regulations of the Branch.

Credentials - Scrutinizes the attendance books and ticket books of the sub-branches to check eligibility for voting.

Finance - Reviews and ensures the integrity of the finances of the Party.

Fundraising - Organises and coordinates fundraising activities within the Branch.

Election - Makes arrangements for elections and pre-selections, trains newly elected sub-branch officers on conducting ballots according to the ACT Branch Rules.

Disputes Tribunal - Hears and decides any disputes between members or between organisations or units of the Branch.

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