My core concern is how to reform our party so that it has a future, not just as a diminished political rump, not a marginalised third party of Australian politics given the opportunism of the Greens, but as the force of progressive politics. The truth is this: the centralised power of the factional leadership of the ALP is exercised to the exclusion of the 35,000 members who make up our rank and file. This does not advance the interests of the party at large, but rather the interests of the few. It does nothing to expand our core membership, in fact it does the reverse. It does nothing to advance our core interest in forming and remaining the long-term progressive government in Australia. In fact, it retards it — it is a comprehensive national turn-off. The truth is that for the many who do the heavy lifting in our branches, these 35,000 forgotten members, they don't have any real say in the big decisions on the party and the government's future. It's time therefore for some fundamental change that goes to the question of who controls power within our party. Because if this party cannot reform itself, then over time it cannot reform the nation. There should no longer be any argument that Labor needs to reform itself. Those who say that the way we conduct ourselves now and the way our party is structured is sustainable for the future are wrong.

It is difficult, if not impossible, to imagine the party in 10 years' time operating the same way it does now. If it seeks to do so, there is a real danger that we simply fade away as other progressive parties around the world have done, becoming a shadow of their former selves against the aggressive conservative onslaught of a resurgent right. If in 10 years' time we have not renewed our purpose and our compact with our membership, then we will have failed to maintain our place as the true party of ideas. We need to break the cycle of reform only being considered when we reach a political impasse. Ours must be the process of continuing reform, otherwise we will continue to fail and our political successes will be short-lived. The story of the ALP is a story of hope triumphing over fear. It is also our nation's story. A continuing narrative throughout Australia's history that says it is better to build up than to tear down — this is the continuing mission of Labor. I want also to touch on how we, as a political party, engage in our national political debate — the tone we adopt, the civility we embrace.

There are some fundamental principles that we must keep in mind to maintain the respect of the Australian people. First, we must be a party that is honest, truthful, straightforward — warts and all. The public is tired of spin. The people want us to explain in straightforward terms why we are doing things, and why we are not doing things. The people do not expect us to perform miracles, nor do they expect to be misled. We must also be the party that is positive — the party with the plans, the party of the future. People are tired of the wave of negativity that makes up the mainstream of our national politics. They want a positive plan for the future. By and large they already grasp the negativity of our opponents. The third point is that we are a party of civility in our national discourse, rather than simply tearing people's heads off. Civil doesn't mean that if Tony Abbott is being a niff nuff that we won't point it out. But it does mean that we conduct the affairs of politics and government with greater respect. We are fools if we do not understand that the public has had a gutful of what currently passes for much of our national political debate. Finally, we will need to ensure that a Young Labor member, who is out doorknocking for Labor's candidates, is doing so because they believe in the values for which we stand — not because he or she is a pawn in some obscure factional game. I was troubled recently to hear that the latest Young Labor national conference had former Labor senator Graham Richardson as a guest presenter. To hold senator Richardson up as a moral exemplar for the next generation of our party and our movement is just wrong. The author of Whatever it takes — good grief.

To be a member of the Labor Party is to be an optimist — optimistic about the future of Australia, optimistic about the ability of government to make a difference. As a member of the Labor Party for 30 years, I am an eternal optimist. I am optimistic, too, about the future of Labor in government, working to create the Australia that we are proud of; optimistic that we can keep the economy strong in good times and in bad; optimistic that we can ensure that those who want a stable, secure job can find one, or the help to train for one — and optimistic for the future of reform of this great party as we open its doors to the 35,000 members who make up our heart, our hands and our soul. Loading This is an edited extract from Kevin Rudd's speech at the weekend launch of the book Looking for the Light on the Hill, by his former speechwriter Troy Bramston. Follow the National Times on Twitter: @NationalTimesAU