Major Party Core Values
This strategy can be done in several countries around the world. We’re starting in Australia, but plan to expand.
The two major parties in Australia are the Liberal and Labor Party. They are the forces shaping Australia’s future.
If you want a seat at that table, you and your friends should consider joining one of these parties and and strategically participating in the democratic process.
Below are key documents to help you decide which party’s core values align best with yours.
Australia 🇦🇺
Liberal
The Australian Liberal Party has had multiple updates to its constitution since it was first adopted in 1945, however its core principles have remained consistent.
In recent years, many would argue that the party has lost sight of its core values.
Note – The Liberal Party and the Country Party formed a coalition and is now called the National Party, LNP. Whether your local branch is Liberal or Country Party branded makes little difference.
Liberal Party 'We Believe' Statement
1945 Liberal Party Constitution
2019 Liberal Party Constitution
Labor
The Australian Labor Party (ALP) underwent monumental reforms in 1967 under Gough Whitlam. These changes paved the way for the modern Labor Party we know today.
We have provided links to the 1965 constitution (pre-Gough Whitlam) and the current 2023 constitution. If you ideologically align with the 1965 constitution, you would aim to bring the Labor Party BACK to those core values.
Notable differences in terms of structure and centralisation are that the 1965 constitution maintained a federated model with considerable autonomy for state branches. By 1967, the party had restructured to give greater authority to the National Executive and Federal Conference, enabling the federal leadership to discipline non-compliant branches and enforce strategic coherence across the country.
Ideologically, the language of the 1965 constitution remained firmly rooted in traditional labourism. In contrast, the 1967 version began to modernise the party’s image, softening the socialist language and reframing its goals to appeal to a broader electorate, including middle-class Australians.