About ACT Labor

Sub-Branches - The Rank And File Heart Of Our Party

Introduction
ACT Sub-Branches And Corresponding Suburbs
Calendar Of Meeting Times
Conduct Of Sub-Branch Meetings

Sub-branches are the entry point to all of the Party's many activities. Sub-branches are based on a geographic grouping of suburbs, so usually you will live quite close to your nearest sub-branch. However, you are free to join any sub-branch, irrespective of what suburb you live in. You may even want to try out some different sub-branches before you settle on one you like. It is easy to transfer your membership from one sub-branch to another, however it is a good idea to stay in a sub-branch that is located within your Electorate.

Sub-branches meet monthly, and it is here that you become involved in discussions on local and national affairs. You can move or speak to motions or amendments, ask questions of the representatives from Branch Council, the Electorate Council, Administrative Committee or the various Policy Committees, or just participate in a general discussion. MLA's and MP's regularly visit to give a report on their activities, and often invited speakers address the meeting to facilitate discussion on certain issues. During election time, sub-branches are the hub of grassroots electioneering, where you get to organise and participate in letter-boxing, staffing ALP stalls in shopping centres and polling booths, handing out how-to-vote cards, and even scrutineering the ballots on election night. Sub-branches regularly hold social and fund-raising activities, which are always good fun.
Sub-branches are organised by an Executive, which is elected each April-May. The main points of contact in each sub-branch are the President, who chairs the meetings, and the Secretary, who is responsible for the day to day administration (including knowing who the new members are!). There are a number of other Executive positions as well. Sub-branches also have elections for delegates to Branch Council and the annual Branch Conference, which are also held in the April-May period. Sub-branches also send representatives to the various Policy Committees and to the Electorate Councils.

Your level of involvement in sub-branch activities is really up to you. You may choose to come along just to the meetings, or you may wish to get more involved and run for a position on the Sub-Branch Executive, or stand as a delegate to Council or Conference. You will need to attend at least three meetings a year if you wish to vote or nominate for these positions.

ACT Sub-Branches And Corresponding Suburbs

Belconnen sub-branch
Aranda, Cook, Page, Scullin, Bruce, Weetangera, Belconnen, Hawker, Macquarie

Black Mountain sub-branch
Acton, Turner, O'Connor, Lyneham, Mitchell

Canberra North sub-branch
North Ainslie, Downer, Dickson, Watson, Hackett

Canberra South sub-branch
Deakin, Forrest, Red Hill, Oaks Estate, Narrabundah, Parkes, Manuka, Fyshwick, Hume

Curtin sub-branch
Curtin

Ginninderra sub-branch
Higgins, Holt, Latham, Macgregor, Florey

Gungahlin sub-branch
Amaroo, Ngunnawal, Nicholls, Palmerston

Lanyon sub-branch
Chisholm, Fadden, Gowrie, Monash, Richardson, MacArthur, Gilmore, Calwell, Isabella Plains, Greenway, Oxley, Bonython, Tharwa, Gordon, Conder, Banks, Theodore

Mount Ainslie sub-branch
Ainslie, Campbell, Reid, City, Braddon, Russell, Pialligo

Mount Rogers sub-branch
Melba, Flynn, Spence, Evatt, Fraser, Kaleen, Giralang, Hall, Lawson, McKellar, Charnwood

North Woden sub-branch
Garran, Hughes, Lyons, O'Malley, Phillip

South Woden sub-branch
Chifley, Farrer, Pearce, Isaacs, Mawson, Torrens, Symonston

Telopea sub-branch
Griffith, Kingston, Barton, Yarralumla

Tuggeranong sub-branch
Kambah, Wanniassa

Weston Creek sub-branch
Chapman, Duffy, Holder, Rivett, Stirling, Waramange, Uriarra, Fisher, Weston

Calendar Of Meeting Times

Conduct Of Sub-Branch Meetings

Often new members find their first contact with a local branch meeting a little daunting - if you are a new member, don't be put off or intimidated; many people feel the same. It should be remembered that policy is made by the membership so you should voice your opinions, whenever you feel you need to do so.

As the ALP is a political organisation it is not surprising that most sub-branches have some "procedural activists" - members who are experts on the meaning and use of rules and debating procedure. It is not necessary to be an expert to participate but it helps if you understand the basics. Although some branches are more relaxed the general rules of meeting procedure applies to all ALP meetings as listed below. The full story is in the party rules.

Moving a motion - Any member may move a motion i. e. propose something should be done by the party or become part of the platform. Motions are moved to begin discussion and should be moved at an appropriate time during the meeting (generally provided for in the agenda). After moving your motion you may speak in support of it.

Seconding - A second person then has to support the motion whether by speaking in favour of it or agreeing to be the seconder.

Debate - Once a motion has been moved and seconded discussion may take place. The chairperson invites members to discuss the matter, usually speakers alternate between someone speaking for and then someone speaking against (i.e. providing a contrary argument). There is generally a twenty minute time limit to debate on any one topic.

Moving an amendment - Any member other than the mover or seconder has the right to move an amendment, i.e. to suggest a change in the wording of the motion which alters the meaning or adds a new idea but does not negate the intention. Once the amendment is seconded the original mover and seconder of the motion are asked if they agree to it. If they do, and the meeting also agrees, it becomes part of the motion. If the amendment is not accepted the amendment is dealt with first. When everyone has spoken the mover has the right of reply.

The vote - Finally the chairperson puts the motion to the meeting. If a majority agree to it, it is declared carried. if not, it is declared lost. If an amendment is lost the motion (known as the substantive motion) continues to be debated, if it is won the amended motion is debated.

Forwarding the resolution - If the motion is carried it becomes a resolution -.and the secretary will send it to the appropriate body, e.g. Branch Council, Annual Conference or the resolution may require some immediate action by the sub-branch Executive.

Motion that the motion be put - At any stage after two speakers for and two speakers against the motion have been heard any member may move that 'the motion be put'. This is called a procedural motion. Such a motion must be dealt with immediately without debate. If a majority agree the chairperson proceeds after the original mover is given the right of reply to the debate, to the vote on the current motion. If not debate continues.

Point of order - Debate may be interrupted by a member calling f or a point of order. This is a ruling from the chair on a specific complaint that the rules have been broken.

Motion - "That we move on to the next item of business", "That the motion lie on the table", "That the speaker no longer be heard" - these are all procedural motions that prevent debate on an item. The last motion is also know as "the gag" motion and is only moved in exceptional circumstances.

Move into committee - A procedural motion that allows discussion to occur in a less formal manner. Often sub-branches deal with all matters in this way.

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