The Australian Labor Party is Australia’s oldest political party.
It was formed in the 1890s and was represented in the first Federal Parliament elected in 1901. It is the only party to have been continuously represented since that time.
Since 1901, the ALP has governed at the Federal level for just 38 years. Thirteen of those years (1983-1996) were under Bob Hawke and Paul Keating. Eight years (1941-1949) were under John Curtin and Ben Chifley. Six years (2007-2013) were under Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard. Gough Whitlam governed for three years (1972-1975).
The party has experienced 3 traumatic splits (1917, 1931 and 1955) which debilitated it and kept it out of office for many years.
The current leader of the federal ALP, and Leader of the Opposition, is Anthony Albanese. He was elected unopposed to the position on May 27, 2019. He replaced Bill Shorten, following the ALP’s defeat at the May 18, 2019 elections. Shorten had been leader since October 2013.
- ALP Federal Election Results Since 1910 – tables showing results for the ALP at every election since 1910, including the number of seats won in the House, the two-party-preferred vote and the primary vote.
Party Organisation
- 2015 – National Constitution
- ALP Pledge and Proscribed organisations
- Unions affiliated to the ALP in Victoria
- Role and Composition of the ALP National Executive
- 2002 – Whitlam Proposes Major ALP Reforms
- 2000 – Victorian ALP Members’ Handbook
Party History
- The Founding of the ALP Caucus
- 2001 – “True Believers” – Kim Beazley’s speech at the launch of the history of the ALP Caucus
ALP Philosophy & Values
- 1949 – Ben Chifley’s Light on the Hill Speech
- 1998 – Gareth Evans on Labor Values
- 2001 – Labor Values: An interview with Kim Beazley in which he speaks of Labor values
- 2002 – The Fabian Society And The Labor Tradition: Speech By Simon Crean
ALP Policies
ALP policies are determined at State and National Conferences. The National Conference, now held once every parliamentary term, is the supreme policy-making body of the party. Its decisions are theoretically binding on the elected ALP members of parliament.
Personnel
- Sep 13, 2016: 2016 Shorten Shadow Ministry (revised)
- Sep 13, 2016: ALP Shadow Ministry – Statistical Analysis (revised)
- Jul 23, 2016: 2016 Shorten Shadow Ministry
- Jul 23, 2016: ALP Shadow Ministry – Statistical Analysis
- Apr 11, 2016: The Ages of the Shorten Shadow Ministers
- Oct 18, 2013: 2013 Shorten Shadow Ministry
- Dec 08, 2003: 2003 Latham Shadow Ministry
- Jul 02, 2003: 2003 Crean Shadow Ministry
- Aug 23, 2002: 2002 Crean Shadow Ministry
- Feb 27, 2001: 2001 Beazley Shadow Ministry
- Mar 19, 1996: 1996 Beazley Shadow Ministry
ALP Official Web Sites
- National
- Victoria
- New South Wales
- Queensland
- South Australia
- Western Australia
- Tasmania
- Northern Territory
- Australian Capital Territory
Archived News Items
- Peta Murphy, ALP Member for Dunkley, Dies, 50 December 4, 2023
- State Funeral for Gerry Hand November 29, 2023
- Senator Patrick Dodson (ALP-WA) – Valedictory Speech November 29, 2023
- Condolences for Bill Hayden in House of Representatives November 28, 2023
- 1996 Federal Election Count – 27 Years Ago March 2, 2023
- Kristy McBain (ALP – Eden-Monaro) – Maiden Speech August 31, 2020
- Anthony Albanese Address to the National Press Club August 27, 2020
- Graham Freudenberg Tribute – Anthony Albanese September 10, 2019
- Elizabeth Coker (ALP-Corangamite) – Maiden Speech September 10, 2019
- David Smith (ALP-Bean) – Maiden Speech August 1, 2019
- Dr Daniel Mulino (ALP-Fraser) – Maiden Speech August 1, 2019
- Sen. Nita Green (ALP-Qld) – Maiden Speech July 31, 2019
- Sen. Tony Sheldon (ALP-NSW) – Maiden Speech July 31, 2019
- Sen. Tim Ayres (ALP-NSW) – Maiden Speech July 30, 2019
- Fiona Phillips (ALP-Gilmore) – Maiden Speech July 30, 2019
- Sen. Raff Ciccone (ALP-Vic) – Maiden Speech July 24, 2019
- Alicia Payne (ALP-Canberra) – Maiden Speech July 24, 2019
- Kate Thwaites (ALP-Jagajaga) – Maiden Speech July 24, 2019
- Peta Murphy (ALP-Dunkley) – Maiden Speech July 24, 2019
- Anika Wells (ALP-Lilley) – Maiden Speech July 22, 2019
- Josh Burns (ALP-Macnamara) – Maiden Speech July 22, 2019
- Daniel Andrews Claims Victory As Labor Wins Landslide Re-Election In Victoria November 24, 2018
- Sen. David Smith (ALP-ACT) – Maiden Speech June 27, 2018
- Speaker Sets July 28 As Date For Five By-Elections; Opposition Outraged May 24, 2018
- Ged Kearney (ALP-Batman) – Maiden Speech May 21, 2018
- 1911 Was The Last Time A Government Won A Seat From The Opposition. Oh, Really? May 14, 2018
- Sen. Kristina Keneally (ALP-NSW) – Maiden Speech March 27, 2018
- Sen. Kristina Keneally (ALP-NSW) Sworn In February 15, 2018
- Doug Everingham Condolences September 5, 2017
- Shorten Releases Proof Of Renunciation Of British Citizenship September 4, 2017
- Doug Everingham Condolences: House Remembers Whitlam Minister September 4, 2017
- Women In The 45th Australian Parliament May 10, 2017
- Who’s Left – The Surviving Members Of Every House Of Representatives Since 1949 April 1, 2017
- Western Australian McGowan Labor Government: Full Cabinet List March 17, 2017
- 2017 W.A. State Election: ALP Policy Documents March 10, 2017
- Victorian Speaker Telmo Languiller Resigns Over Expenses Scandal February 25, 2017
- Current Federal Parliamentary Leaders February 7, 2017
- Bill Shorten: National Press Club Address January 31, 2017
- Keating Warns Against Tillerson’s South China Sea Adventurism January 13, 2017
- Success And Failure: The ALP’s Results In Federal Elections Since 1910 December 8, 2016
- Chris Bowen: The End Of Australian Exceptionalism? November 30, 2016
- Sen. Kimberley Kitching (ALP-Vic) – Maiden Speech November 9, 2016
- Stephen Conroy Announces Resignation From Senate In Undelivered Speech September 16, 2016
- Final Two-Party Figures: Coalition Won 2016 Election With 50.36%; Swing To Labor Of 3.13% September 15, 2016
- Mike Freelander (ALP-Macarthur) – Maiden Speech September 14, 2016
- Sen. Malarndirri McCarthy (ALP-NT) – Maiden Speech September 14, 2016
- Susan Templeman (ALP-Macquarie) – Maiden Speech September 14, 2016
- Brian Mitchell (ALP-Lyons) – Maiden Speech September 14, 2016
- Justine Keay (ALP-Braddon) – Maiden Speech September 13, 2016
- Sen. Murray Watt (ALP-Qld) – Maiden Speech September 13, 2016
- Shorten ALP Shadow Ministry – Statistical Analysis (Revised) September 13, 2016
- Shorten Announces Minor Changes To Shadow Ministry; O’Neill Promoted September 13, 2016
- Julian Hill (ALP-Bruce) – Maiden Speech September 13, 2016
- Government And ALP Agree On Budget Repair Deal September 13, 2016
- Cathy O’Toole (ALP-Herbert) – Maiden Speech September 12, 2016
- Josh Wilson (ALP-Fremantle) – Maiden Speech September 12, 2016
- Anne Aly (ALP-Cowan) – Maiden Speech September 12, 2016
- Emma Husar (ALP-Lindsay) – Maiden Speech September 12, 2016
- Peter Khalil (ALP-Wills) – Maiden Speech September 12, 2016
- Shorten And Bandt Introduce Bills To Legalise Same-Sex Marriage September 12, 2016
- Chris Bowen: The Case For Openness September 7, 2016
- Dastyari Resigns From ALP Frontbench September 7, 2016
- Dastyari Apologises, Regrets Actions: Unimpressive Media Conference September 6, 2016
- How The Turnbull Government Lost Control Of The House September 2, 2016
- Senator Patrick Dodson (ALP-WA) – Maiden Speech September 1, 2016
- Mike Kelly (ALP – Eden-Monaro) – Second Maiden Speech September 1, 2016
- Ross Hart (ALP-Bass) – Maiden Speech September 1, 2016
- Senate Passes Resolution Calling For Royal Commission Into Banking Industry September 1, 2016
- Steve Georganas (ALP-Hindmarsh) – Second First Speech August 31, 2016
- Luke Gosling (ALP-Solomon) – Maiden Speech August 31, 2016
- Linda Burney (ALP-Barton) – Maiden Speech August 31, 2016
- Dastyari Statement On Top Education Payments; Bernardi On The Attack August 31, 2016
- Coalition-Labor Deal On Rotation Of Members Confirmed By Senate August 31, 2016
- 45th Parliament Opens; Members And Senators Sworn In; House Speaker And Senate President Re-Elected Unopposed August 30, 2016
- Current Federal Parliamentary Leaders August 30, 2016
- Xenophon Senators Will Oppose Same-Sex Marriage Plebiscite; Senate Now Seems Certain To Oppose Poll August 29, 2016
- Bill Shorten Address To The National Press Club August 24, 2016
- 2016 House Of Representatives Primary Votes: State-By-State Breakdown August 24, 2016
- 2016 Senate Votes: A Higher But Fragmented Vote For Minor And Micro Parties August 22, 2016
- The New Senate: The Defeated, The Retired, The New And The Returning August 21, 2016
- MPs Who Won Their Seats On First Preferences In The 2016 Federal Election August 20, 2016
- 2016 Primary Vote Winners, Preference Vote Losers August 19, 2016
- Election Funding Payments: 2016 Federal Election August 17, 2016
- Seats Changing Hands At The 2016 Federal Election August 17, 2016
- Government And ALP Agree On Senate Terms; First Elected To Get 6 Years August 12, 2016
- Shorten On Census: A Failure To Take Responsibility And A Failure Of Leadership August 11, 2016
- Shorten Says Incompetent Turnbull Government Is Undermining Faith In Australian Institutions August 10, 2016
- Andrew Leigh: “If They Can’t Manage The Census, How Can They Manage The Other Arms Of Government?” August 10, 2016
- 2016 Federal Election: The Oncers Who Have Become Twicers August 7, 2016
- Getting Things Done In The New Senate August 4, 2016
- One Nation Wins Another Seat In NSW; Coalition Loses One More, Leyonhjelm Returns; Crossbench Grows To 20 August 4, 2016
- One Nation Wins Two Queensland Senate Seats; Coalition Loses Ground; ALP And Greens Unchanged August 4, 2016
- Victorian Senate Results Finalised; Liberals Gain 1, Greens Keep 2, Hinch Elected August 3, 2016
- South Australian Senate Results Finalised; Xenophon Soars As Liberals, ALP And Greens Lose Ground; Bob Day Re-Elected August 2, 2016
- ACT Senate Results Finalised: One-All, No Change August 1, 2016
- Western Australian Senate Results Finalised; One Nation Wins Second Seat August 1, 2016
- New Members Of The House Of Representatives July 31, 2016
- ALP Wins Herbert By 37 Votes; Turnbull Government Re-Elected With Barest Majority Of 76 Seats July 31, 2016
- Tasmanian Senate Results Finalised; ALP, Liberals, Greens And Lambie Take All 12 Seats July 27, 2016
- Election Funding Payments: 2016 Federal Election July 27, 2016
- Northern Territory Senate Results Finalised: One Each To ALP and CLP July 25, 2016
- ALP Shadow Ministry 2016 – Statistical Analysis July 23, 2016
- Shorten Announces ALP Shadow Ministry Portfolio Allocations July 23, 2016
- ALP Caucus Elects Expanded Shadow Ministry Of 32; Carr Survives July 22, 2016
- Herbert Heads For Recount With ALP 8 Votes Ahead July 19, 2016
- LNP Lead Slips To 12 Votes In Herbert; Current Preference Flows Suggest ALP Win By 55 Votes (…Or Perhaps Not) July 15, 2016
- Bill Shorten Re-Elected Unopposed As Federal ALP Leader July 15, 2016
- Herbert Still Too Close To Call; LNP Leads By 44 Votes July 14, 2016
- The 120 Seats That Swung To The ALP In The Federal Election July 14, 2016
- ALP Claims Hindmarsh, Now Holds 68 Seats; LNP Takes Lead In Herbert, Last Undecided Seat July 13, 2016
- National Swing To ALP Currently 3.17%; Swings To ALP In Every State And Territory July 13, 2016
- Turnbull Seems Set For Floor Majority Of Three In 45th Parliament July 12, 2016
- Coalition Secures Absolute Majority Of 76; Labor Claims Cowan; Just Two Seats Still Undecided July 11, 2016
- Is Melbourne Ports Going To Be The Surprise Result In The Election? July 11, 2016
- As Turnbull Claims Election Victory, Coalition Seems On Track For 76 Seats July 10, 2016
- Bill Shorten Concedes Defeat In Federal Election July 10, 2016
- Informal Vote Declines In Federal Election; Sydney Again Records Highest Rates July 10, 2016
- Government’s Victory Assured But Still No Definite Results In Key Seats July 8, 2016
- Turnbull Government Returned To Office, But Majority Or Minority Status Still Not Clear July 7, 2016
- Which Seats Have Changed Hands So Far In The Federal Election? July 7, 2016
- Undecided Seats: Turnbull Edges Towards Narrow Victory July 6, 2016
- Update On Undecided Seats – Hung Parliament Looks Most Likely July 5, 2016
- House Of Representatives Undecided Seats: Latest Figures July 3, 2016
- Provisional List Of House Of Representatives Seat Winners July 3, 2016
- Turnbull Likely To Win Narrowly As Voters Punish Coalition; ALP Secures Nationwide Swing Of 3.18% But Falls Short July 3, 2016
- Minutes After Turnbull Launch, ALP Releases Its Election Costings June 26, 2016
- Get To Know Bill: ALP Election Advertisement June 25, 2016
- Bill Shorten Delivers ALP Policy Speech At Penrith Campaign Launch June 19, 2016
- ALP Ad: Labor’s Positive Plan For The Economy June 19, 2016
- Another Medicare Advertisement From The ALP June 18, 2016
- Facebook Leaders’ Debate: Turnbull And Shorten June 17, 2016
- The Greening Of Labor: Liberals Step Up Attack On Greens Influence June 15, 2016
- ALP Victoria: Statewide How-To-Vote Guide June 14, 2016
- Bill Shorten Appears On QandA June 13, 2016
- ALP – Cowper (NSW) How-To-Vote Card June 12, 2016
- Election Gets Willing As Preference Deals Announced; Turnbull Says Libs Will Put Greens Last June 12, 2016
- Bob Hawke Does Medicare Advertisement For ALP Campaign June 12, 2016
- A Cautionary Tale: Senate Votes In The 2013 Federal Election June 11, 2016
- Parties And Groups Contesting The Senate In The 2016 Federal Election June 10, 2016
- Breakdown Of House Nominations: 2016 Federal Election June 10, 2016
- Nominations – House of Representatives & Senate 2016 June 10, 2016
- Election Nominations: Three MPs Who Blundered Their Way Out Of Parliament June 9, 2016
- The 1983 Australian Federal Election: Funfillums June 5, 2016
- Labor’s Foreign Policy: Tanya Plibersek Speech To Lowy Institute May 31, 2016
- Treasurers Debate: Scott Morrison And Chris Bowen At The National Press Club May 27, 2016
- David Feeney’s ALP Talking Points Document May 25, 2016
- “Our Policy Is Clear” – Liberals Pounce On ALP’s Border Protection Dissension May 9, 2016
- 2016 Federal Election: The First ALP TV Advertisement May 8, 2016
- Shorten’s Response To July 2 Election Announcement: “We Have Positive Plans” May 8, 2016
- Malcolm Turnbull Formally Announces July 2 Double Dissolution Election May 8, 2016