Independent Labor (Australia)
Political affiliation / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Independent Labor (or Independent Labour) is a description used in Australian politics, often to designate a politician who is an Australian Labor Party (ALP) member but not endorsed by the party at elections or if siting in a parliament, not a member of the Labor party room caucus. The label has also been used to describe candidate who identify with the labour movement, but not the ALP.[1]
Independent Labor | |
---|---|
Local government (NSW) | 1 / 1,480
|
Local government (Vic) | 1 / 645
|
Local government (Qld) | 6 / 473
|
Local government (Tas) | 2 / 254
|
The label is often used at local government elections, especially in states where the ALP does not endorse any candidates. However, registering a party or affiliation as an "Independent Labor" is not permitted in New South Wales under section 64 of the Electoral Act 2017, and the use of the term in electoral material is also considered an offence under section 180 of the act.[2][3]
As of April 2024, the only MPs who are rank-and-file members of the Labor Party yet are not part of the party's parliamentary caucus are both members of the Victorian Legislative Assembly − Darren Cheeseman and Will Fowles, who were both removed from the parliamentary Labor Party following allegations of assault.