Australian Young Labor


Australian Young Labor is the youth wing of the Australian Labor Party representing all ALP members aged 15 to 26. Former presidents of AYL have included former NSW Premier Bob Carr, Federal Minister for Agriculture Tony Burke, Special Minister of State Senator John Faulkner, former Australian Workers Union National Secretary and current Member for Maribyrnong and former Federal Labor Leader Bill Shorten as well as dozens of State Ministers and MPs.

Formation

The Labor Guild of Youth was established in Victoria in 1926. The first provisional meeting of the ALP's Youth Council was held in 1948. Australian Young Labor was included in the definition of the ALP in 1973.

Ideology

Young Labor emulates many of the functions of the senior party. National and State conferences are held yearly where policy is submitted and debated by elected delegates and members of Young Labor.

Activities and roles

Young Labor is most active during state and federal elections, campaigning in marginal seats. The youth wing of the party may organise members to door knock an electorate or set up a stand in shopping centres to hand out political party notes. Members are often also asked to 'letterbox' party advertising.
Each year Australian Young Labor holds a conference in a capital city. The conference is usually held at a university campus and typically features guest speakers from the ALP.
At the conference several positions are elected by delegates chosen from state branches. Fifteen executive positions are also elected. The National Young Labor President is a non-voting representative on the Australian Labor Party National Executive.

Organisation

Each state has its own branch of Young Labor, functioning as a party unit. Nationally, the branches are federated to the National organisation, which has its own President and executive.