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NSW Labor emerges intact after state conference fraught with danger

NSW Labor emerged unified from its first conference since it assumed power after factional broking ensured its veneer of governability wasn’t tarnished by poor optics.

Premier Chris Minns and wife Anna at the NSW Labor conference on Sunday. Picture: Simon Bullard
Premier Chris Minns and wife Anna at the NSW Labor conference on Sunday. Picture: Simon Bullard

NSW Labor emerged unified from its first state conference since it assumed power in 2023 after days of factional broking to ensure its veneer of govern­ability wasn’t tarnished by poor optics amid a conference fraught with divisions and Palestine protests.

After Anthony Albanese told Sydney’s Town Hall Labor was “bringing people together”, Premier Chris Minns said on Sunday his own government had “only just begun”.

It followed Saturday’s successful Palestine motion moved by NSW Minister Jihad Dib, a result of days of negotiations that appeased all factions, including Labor’s Israel groups.

It was “no coincidence” that federal MPs whose electorates have been targeted by The Muslim Vote campaign either seconded the motion or were mentioned within the speech of Mr Dib, who on Friday lamented that politicians not from the Jewish or Muslim communities had chosen to become extreme vanguards amid the conflict, saying it had made it harder for those faiths’ leaders to work with each other and the government.

Protestors outside the NSW Labor Annual State Conference at Sydney Town Hall

The two-day conference avoided a slew of factional debates, apart from an unsuccessful bid from the left to repeal bail and protest laws.

“None of us joined this party to sit on the sidelines,” Mr Minns said, adding Labor had never been a “fringe political party”.

The Premier spruiked the abolishment of the public sector wage cap and pay rise for teachers, announcing the end of no-fault evictions and more housing for domestic-violence survivors, while conference endorsed calling on the federal government to amend the GST method to cover four-year budget estimates.

It followed Saturday’s Pales­tine motion moved by Mr Dib that called on the Prime Minister to recognise its sovereignty “as a priority”.

On Friday, Mr Dib gave a similarly impassioned speech to the right’s caucus, criticising politicians who weren’t from the Jewish and Muslim communities but who had taken it on themselves to become the most extreme vanguards amid the conflict. Sources said Mr Dib’s criticism was aimed at the Greens and MPs within Labor, with the minister saying it then became harder for those communities’ leaders to work with each other and the government.

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Jihad Dib at the NSW Labor Conference. Picture: NewsWire/Simon Bullard
Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Jihad Dib at the NSW Labor Conference. Picture: NewsWire/Simon Bullard

The motion came after days of factional broking. Although the Minns government has avoided straying into foreign policy, Mr Dib has long been one of cabinet’s strongest voices on Palestine and his motion pushed the state party further on the issue. Insiders said it was “no coincidence” the motion was seconded by Werriwa MP Anne Stanley, whose seat has been targeted by The Muslim Vote.

It followed Mr Dib’s name checking of federal ministers Jason Clare and Tony Burke’s support for Palestinian statehood, whose seats have also been targeted.

Supported by the party’s Israel-focused groups, insiders said a “lot of work” went into ensuring the wording was not an “immediate recognition”, and that it left the matter within Foreign Minister Penny Wong’s discretion.

Alexi Demetriadi
Alexi DemetriadiNSW Political Correspondent

Alexi Demetriadi is The Australian's NSW Political Correspondent, covering state and federal politics, with a focus on social cohesion, anti-Semitism, extremism, and communities.

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Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/nsw-labor-emerges-intact-after-state-conference-fraught-with-danger/news-story/265b4ef59f67610b88e60d4408ee5269