The Labor Party has convened for its 50th National Conference in Adelaide, with delegates expected to push for a progressive policy platform ahead of the 2028 election.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will give a speech at the conference at 10.25am in Adelaide (10.55am AEST).
The National Conference sets the party’s platform every three years, with MPs, unions, and party members debating and voting on their policy agenda.
Sky News understands Mr Albanese will not participate in any of the debates in order to allow members to more freely discuss policy.
Key issues on the agenda include a new gas export tax, artificial intelligence, racial harmony and international policy.
The Albanese government has also ruled out changes to the Australian flag, despite a push from a Labor-linked union.
In his keynote address on Thursday, Mr Albanese is expected to announce an expansion of the government’s paid prac scheme, extending it to 10 additional courses.
The move will mean courses involving practical experience hours including physiotherapy, psychotherapy and paramedicine will be paid rather than volunteer.
Mr Albanese will also use the speech to draw a contrast between governing and protest politics amid One Nation’s surge in opinion polls.
Without naming Pauline Hanson’s party directly, Mr Albanese is expected to say: “You can go a long way in politics for a long time by raging against a system you’re a part of.”
While the government has sought to project stability, delegates and sections of the Labor caucus are expected to push for more ambitious policy outcomes.
One of the key progressive policy pushes is a proposed 25 per cent gas export tax that could raise between $4 billion and $17 billion annually.
Mr Albanese has rejected the prospect, although it has received support from backbench MP Ed Husic.
Another draft proposal drops calls for Hamas and the Palestinian Authority to disarm, as well as dropping the call for Israel to have guaranteed security.
There have also been efforts to enshrine support for Welcome to Country ceremonies and to establish an antiracism framework.
Ahead of the conference, the Australian Labor Party locked in an uncontested national executive, with nominations closing unopposed for all 20 positions.
The 20 positions included 10 members from the Left faction and 10 member from the Right faction – in an unusual, if not unprecedented, outcome.
Assistant Digital Economy Minister Andrew Charlton rejected suggestions the uncontested executive reflected a lack of internal debate.
“I think we have a great Labor team.. I’ve never seen the Labor Party more united or more capable,” Mr Charlton told Sky News.