The Australian people desperately want a genuine alternative to the divisive and exploitative politics of the Abbott government.

Australia needs a political party that is relevant, broad-based, principled and far-sighted about the challenges the country faces.

The Labor Party has played this role before, and can do so again. But to succeed, the ALP must face up to the challenge of renewing itself.

If it refuses to change, the pressures of cynicism, indifference and vested interest will continue to hold back both the party and the nation.

ALP renewal means turning the party’s membership structures and policy processes outwards to

engage actively and honestly with the communities it seeks to serve,

reform its relationship with the labour movement

use more transparent and democratic methods to build support and take decisions

Open Labor calls on the ALP federal leadership and National Executive to commit to substantial and concrete changes to the party’s culture and organization at this month’s National Conference.

Specifically, we call on the Party to:

Enfranchise members with at least a fifty per cent of the vote in preselecting candidates for the House of Representatives and Senate. Enable individual members of ALP-affiliated trade unions to opt in to full ALP membership, and end bloc union votes in party forums, as the first steps in the renewal of the union-party relationship. Develop grassroots models to create open discussion of policy and act in partnership with other community groups to achieve change on issues that matter to Australians. Establish a standard joining process and accept membership payments only by traceable means such as credit card or bank details, as part of a concerted effort to stamp out branch stacking. Allow all federal electorates to elect a delegate to National Conference.

Bill Shorten has declared the 2015 National Conference the moment for real party reform. It’s time for Bill to be bold and delegates to unite and deliver.