The Socialist Left faction of the Australian Labor Party (the Left) is an organised political faction that advocates within the party for traditionally Labor interventionist and socialist economic policies. However, since the party reforms by Gough Whitlam in the 1970s, the left has also been the principal champion in the party of socially liberal values, such as women's rights, gay rights, reconciliation with Aboriginal Australians and Land Rights.
The Left is currently the smaller of the two main factions in the federal Caucus, having a total of 38 MP's. Key members of the Left include Deputy Leader Jenny Macklin and Leader of the Opposition in the Senate John Faulkner, as well as ALP National President Carmen Lawrence.
Federally, the Left is split internally between the "hard" left who promote a more confrontational and agressive stance towards the dominant Labor Right, faction and the "soft" left who are more prepared to be more concilatory and work with certain members of the Right.
That's why the birth of the Socialist Alliance, which draws together the majority of Australianleft organisations, is producing hope and enthusiasm — both among “old” lefties who haven't given up on the struggle as well as among many younger activists who have been the driving force behind the S11 and M1 anti-globalisation protests.
In Portugal, France, Denmark and Italy the radical left has moved beyond its traditional status of propaganda groups for socialism to playing a central role in the social movements, an expanded social base and a presence in local governments, national parliaments and the European Parliament.
That's why the Socialist Alliance members will be fighting for their program out in the streets — building the movement in defence of refugee rights and demanding the removal of the GST.
The SocialistLeft faction of the Australian Labor Party (the Left) is an organised political faction that advocates within the party for traditionally Labor interventionist and socialist economic policies.
The Left is currently the smaller of the two main factions in the federal Caucus, having a total of 38 MP's.
Federally, the Left is split internally between the "hard" left who promote a more ideologically firm agenda and a more confrontational stance towards the dominant Labor Right faction, and the "soft" left who are more willing to compromise and work with certain members of the Right.
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