Unions prepare for AUKUS showdown with Albanese government at national conference

Powerful Left-wing unions are preparing to oppose AUKUS on the floor of national conference amid a scramble by Labor ministers to avoid a messy showdown.

AMWU State Secretary Tony Mavromatis chants as protesters from AMWU are seen outside an Australian Industry Group luncheon in Hawthorn, Melbourne, in 2018. Picture: AAP

The powerful manufacturing union is urging Anthony Albanese to “rethink” the AUKUS nuclear submarine deal and is preparing to move a motion on the floor of ALP national conference unless the government convinces them the military pact is good for the country.

The Australian understands the AMWU Victorian division has prepared an AUKUS motion and is lobbying union officials and delegates for support amid a scramble by Defence Minister Richard Marles and other senior government figures to avoid a conference showdown.

AMWU Victorian state secretary Tony Mavromatis said he would only pull the motion if he was convinced by the government the AUKUS deal was in Australia’s national interest.

Mr Mavromatis said he was yet to hear a convincing argument on AUKUS and was likely to pursue a resolution at national conference urging the government to consult with industry and workers.

The resolution, which calls on the government to explain and reconsider its support for AUKUS, is not seeking to amend the wording of the ALP platform and will be debated by the Left caucus on Wednesday.

Other senior union sources told The Australian that a motion to remove references to AUKUS in the platform was “nearing completion” and would likely be moved as an amendment during Friday’s session on foreign affairs and defence led by Penny Wong.

A group of Left-wing unions remain locked-in negotiations with senior government ministers as motions and resolutions are finalised by competing factions ahead of conference. Some unions are prepared to avoid an AUKUS fight if they win backing on other contentious motions related to tax and housing policies.

Mr Mavromatis, who believes there is broad support for the AMWU push, said he wanted “proper discussion and consultation with industry on whether the submarines are a good fit for Australia or not”.

“I’m seeking support from the whole national conference on this motion. Not just unions but everyone. Let’s call it for what it is. Once we get all of the information on the table, what does it all mean? Be very explanatory about it,” Mr Mavromatis said.

“Could we do things a bit different and better? How could we do things a bit different and better in the future? All those observations and analysis needs to be observed.”

The Australian understands Labor Party leadership is considering moving a motion in support of AUKUS, allowing for the issue to be debated and for anti-AUKUS amendments to ultimately be voted down.

A repeat of the Queensland Labor state conference where unions led by the Electrical Trades’ Union rejected a motion “congratulating the Albanese government on investing in the AUKUS agreement” is not expected. The Australian understands the national ETU would likely back a motion calling for the removal of AUKUS from the platform.

The CFMEU last month said it was “yet to take a position” on AUKUS but is considering backing motions opposing the defence deal if the government refuses to meaningfully engage on its super profits tax campaign designed to build almost 1 million homes.

Mr Marles and Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy held a zoom briefing on AUKUS with ALP members on Monday, where they outlined the government’s position ahead of national conference.

There is only one reference to AUKUS in the draft platform, which states that “our self-reliant defence policy will be enhanced by strong bilateral and multilateral defence relationships, including AUKUS”.

In Mr Albanese’s foreword to the platform, he references the Australian-US-UK military pact once and promises the government would take “carefully thought-out steps forward” on AUKUS.

The Australian understands there is frustration inside Labor’s senior ranks about moves for AUKUS to be removed altogether from the platform, given the pact is broad and not exclusive to nuclear submarines.

Former AMWU national secretary Doug Cameron on Tuesday said when he joined the party in the early 1970s, “you could count on the majority of the Labor Left to have a healthy scepticism of US militarism”.

“I marched for peace, opposed US warmongering with many who now support Aukus. WTF has happened,” the former Labor senator tweeted.