Labor factions float a deal to prevent AUKUS sinking

Leading Left faction union figures are favouring a resolution calling on the PM to provide more assurances around nuclear subs and toxic waste disposal.

Labor Against War convener Marcus Strom. Picture: James Croucher

Leading Left faction union figures are reconsidering a motion that would take AUKUS out of the party’s national platform and are instead favouring a resolution calling on Anthony Albanese to provide more assurances around the nuclear submarines program and the disposal of toxic waste.

As Labor MPs, unionists and party members arrived in Brisbane ahead of the first day of the party’s national conference, faction leaders met throughout Wednesday to discuss how they would approach the AUKUS deal.

The Australian has been told Left faction heavyweights with concerns over AUKUS – who include members of the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union, the CFMEU and the Electrical Trades Union – are leaning towards backing a resolution that would demand the government provides an explanation of the national benefits of the nuclear-powered submarine program and gives assurances over safety and local jobs.

This would prevent the government from being subjected to an incendiary public debate on removing Labor support for AUKUS in the party’s policy platform, which is binding on the parliamentary party.

Left faction sources were confident the negotiated resolution was worded in a way that could gain a broad support from the nearly 400 voting delegates.

Sources said, however, that several motions were being considered by “AUKUS sceptic” delegates and their position had not been finalised.

The submission deadline for motions to be debated on the issue is midday Thursday, with some hard leaning Left figures still pushing for AUKUS to be removed from the platform.

Some Left faction figures are expecting the party leadership to move a motion in support of AUKUS and the nuclear-­powered submarines promised as part of the deal, which Left-­leaning delegates would seek to amend by calling for references to nuclear energy be removed.

The three-day conference will be opened on Thursday with speeches by Anthony Albanese, ALP president Wayne Swan and Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.

There will be no former prime ministers there, in contrast to the last national conference in 2018.

There is also a push to amend the draft platform to have more ambitious policies on climate change, Palestine, housing and taxation, but the most pressing issue for the government is avoiding a revolt against AUKUS.

Labor Against War convener Marcus Strom said it would be undemocratic if delegates were not given the chance to oppose AUKUS at national conference.

He said it was not enough for Left faction unions to push a resolution demanding more information on the nuclear-powered submarines program. “It would be a travesty to democracy if delegates at the Labor Party conference didn’t have the opportunity to vote on whether AUKUS was in the national platform or not,” he said.

“Assurances from this Prime Minister only last as long as he is prime minister. We don’t know who will be prime minister in five years, we don’t know who will be US president next year.

“There are too many unknowns and too much danger involved to rely on assurances.”

The current draft platform says “Australia’s self-reliant defence policy will be enhanced by strong bilateral and multilateral defence relationships, including AUKUS”.

NSW Labor upper house MP Anthony D’Adam told The Australian earlier this week that he wanted his motion, which says AUKUS will contribute to a ­regional arms race and urges the deletion of references to the deal from the platform, to be debated at conference.

The Australian understands the party leadership have been in discussions with union figures on the significance of AUKUS and at pains to explain that, at its heart, the pact is a “technology sharing agreement”.

Mr Albanese also mentioned AUKUS in his foreword to the platform, promising the government would take “carefully thought-out steps forward” on the pact.

Defence Minister Richard Marles attempted to address concerns over the deal with a Zoom briefing on Monday night and make clear the government’s position on AUKUS.

Balmain’s Labor branch, which sits within Mr Albanese’s electorate, passed a motion this week calling for a review and reconsideration of the trilateral AUKUS nuclear defence pact, urging that no funding be allocated to the nuclear-powered submarine program.

Five other branches in the Prime Minister’s electorate of Grayndler, plus Young Labor, have not supported the AUKUS agreement.

Meanwhile, The Australian has learned that senior Left ­faction figures have sought to limit who can attend conference caucus meetings, concerned about AUKUS dissent, and have attempted to limit attendance to full delegates only.