Australian Labor Party
| Australian Labor Party | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Leader | Julia Gillard |
| President | Jenny McAllister |
| Founded | 8 May 1901 |
| Headquarters | 161 London Circuit, Canberra Australian Capital Territory 2600 |
| Youth wing | Australian Young Labor |
| Ideology | Democratic socialism Social democracy Third Way |
| Political position | Centre-left |
| International affiliation | Socialist International |
| House of Representatives |
71 / 150
|
| Senate |
31 / 76
|
| Website | |
| www.alp.org.au | |
| Political parties |
|
The Australian Labor Party (ALP) is one of the two major political parties in Australia. The party which was formed in 1891, is the oldest political party in Australia. It is currently in power in Australia, meaning that it runs the Government. Its current leader and Australia's Prime Minister is Julia Gillard. They are a social democratic party with strong links to the Trade Union movement. Since 1944, their main opponents have been the Liberal Party of Australia.
Contents |
History[change]
In the 1860's the trade unions in Australia began to try to get better wages and working conditions for their members. They were defeated by employers, the legal system, and the governments of the Australian colonies. Workers soon decided that they needed to become active in politics, and make changes through parliament. The first meeting of the ALP is said to have taken place in Barcaldine, Queensland in 1891.[1] A group of shearers, who were involved in a big strike action, held a meeting in the shade of a large ghost gum (eucalyptus) tree, Corymbia aparrerinja.[2] This tree became known as the "Tree of Knowledge".[1]
Prime Ministers of Australia[change]
- Chris Watson, 1904.
- Andrew Fisher, 1908-1909 and 1910-1913 and 1914-1915.
- Billy Hughes, 1915
- James Scullin, 1929-1932.
- John Curtin, 1941-1945.
- Frank Forde, 1945.
- Ben Chifley, 1945-1949
- Gough Whitlam, 1972-1975.
- Bob Hawke, 1983-1991.
- Paul Keating, 1991-1996.
- Kevin Rudd, 2007-2010.
- Julia Gillard, 2010-current.[3]
Current leaders of States and Territories of Australia[change]
- Leader of the Opposition (New South Wales) – John Robertson, since 2011.
- Leader of the Opposition (Victoria) - Daniel Andrews, since 2010.
- Leader of the Opposition (Queensland) – Annastacia Palaszczuk, since 2012.
- Premier of South Australia – Jay Weatherill, since 2011.
- Premier of Tasmania – Lara Giddings, since 2011.
- Leader of the Opposition (Western Australia) - Mark McGowan, since 2012.
- Leader of the Opposition (Northern Territory) - Delia Lawrie, since 2012.
- Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory - Katy Gallagher, since 2011.
References[change]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Australian Labor- History". alp.org.au. http://www.alp.org.au/australian-labor/labor-history/. Retrieved 19 August 2010.
- ↑ "Eucalypts...but not Eucalyptus". anpsa.org.au. http://anpsa.org.au/APOL2/jun96-5.html. Retrieved 19 August 2010.
- ↑ http://australianpolitics.com/executive/pm/list.shtml
