[Ahovking]

ALP branch members and MPs will jointly elect the party's federal leader under sweeping changes proposed by Kevin Rudd to democratise and modernise the party.

The Prime Minister said the reforms would “ensure that power will never again rest in the hands of a factional few”.

“Today, more than ever, Australians demand to know that the prime minister they elect is the prime minister they get,” Mr Rudd said.

The rule changes propose the ALP leader be elected jointly by the party membership across the nation and the federal parliamentary party.

Mr Rudd - who was toppled as a leader in a factional coup in 2010 before seizing back the leadership - will take his reforms to a special caucus meeting on Monday July 22.

“Make no mistake - this is the most significant reform to the Australian Labor Party in recent history,” Mr Rudd said.

Mr Rudd announced the changes following extensive discussion with the leadership team and full ministry.

The key rule change would give grassroots members of the party 50 per cent of the vote in choosing a parliamentary leader, with 50 per cent going to the federal caucus.

Mr Rudd said any candidate for the leadership would need the initial backing of 20 per cent of caucus members.

Other leadership positions such as deputy PM, House leader and Senate leader, and ministry candidates, would be decided by the caucus, he said.

Also among the rule changes, a leader who takes the party to an election and wins “that person remains as leader of the party and the government for the duration of that term”, he said.

Mr Rudd says that will prevent anyone walking in to the leader with a challenge and saying: “OK sunshine, it's over.”

Mr Rudd believes the reforms will be welcome by all Labor Party members.

He said change was “essential to grow a vibrant modern Australian Labor Party for a modern and diverse Australia for the future”.

“I believe it will encourage people to re-engage in the political process and bring back those supporters who have been disillusioned.”

Mr Rudd said the rule change would improve the quality of government and certainty of leadership.

“You want to be able to say to the Australian people, you vote for this guy, you vote for this woman, they end up staying on for the duration of the term,” Mr Rudd said.

He said the quality of decision-making would be eroded if leaders had to “look over their shoulders” all the time if there were bad polls.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/nationa ... 6676110640

This is a step forward for labor. I really dislike the idea of the factional few that holds the power to change a partys leader.

[colliric]

Mark Latham predicted this was going to happen(on his appearance on Q & A). It's not Rudds' idea at all. I believe it was also put forward by that committee of ex-premiers that investigated the disastrous 2010 election result.

[pugsville]

whats the real difference between the liberal and labour parties on the election of leaders? isnt the process exactly the same, party room vote. The only difference is the exisistance of defined permanent faction in the labour party.