Fed: ALP internal review to be handed down today

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Fed: ALP internal review to be handed down today

CANBERRA, Aug 9 AAP - The long-awaited internal review of the Labor Party will be handeddown today.

Carried out by former prime minister Bob Hawke and former New South Wales premier NevilleWran, the review is set to contain more than 70 recommendations designed to modernisethe party.

Mr Hawke and Mr Wran will present their report to the ALP national executive in Canberra today.

Set up by Opposition Leader Simon Crean in the wake of last year's third straight federalelection defeat, the review aims to make the party more attractive to grassroots membersand voters.

Mr Crean has staked his leadership on the changes, which will make the party more democraticand reduce union influence over policy making.

Among the key recommendations will be the abolition of Labor's socialist objectives,and an end to union rights to appoint 60 per cent of delegates to state conferences.

It will also aim to give branch members a greater say in policy development, and tohelp the ALP build stronger links with community groups.

The end of the so-called 60-40 rule, in favour of a 50-50 rule, has angered many onthe party's right, with factional warlords demanding a greater union influence on pre-selectionsin return.

But the party's left is also angered by the Hawke-Wran review for refusing to committo affirmative action.

Labor's Emily's List, a body designed to encourage more women into politics, wantedthe ALP to commit to having women candidates in 50 per cent of winnable seats.

Former Victorian premier Joan Kirner said it appeared the rights of women had beentraded off by factional leaders.

The recommendations will then be debated and finalised at a special ALP conference,set down for Canberra in early October.

AAP so/cjh/sb

KEYWORD: ALP DAYLEAD