Labor National Conference 2026 begins in Adelaide as Anthony Albanese, Jim Chalmers face key policy debates
Thousands of Labor true believers will descend on Adelaide for the party's 50th national conference, which will lay out the party's platform.
What is the Labor Conference?
* The Labor national conference takes place once every parliamentary term and is responsible for laying out for the positions of the party
* The 2026 iteration will be the 50th conference, with the three-day affair being held in Adelaide from Thursday
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.* Motions voted on at the conference become binding policy, but how, and when, they are implemented remains up to Labor members in parliament
* About 3000 people are expected to attend the conference, with 400 being Labor delegates who can vote on motions
* Of the 400 delegates, 150 are rank and file members elected by local branches
* Other delegates include the federal parliamentary team, state and territory leaders and the party’s youth branch
* Delegates will vote on motions from a 126-page draft policy platform, but any delegate can move amendments and motions on the platforms
* Votes will also take place on the party’s executive
What to expect?
* While contentious policy issues are expected to be worked out behind the scenes, some debates are still expected to feature on the conference floor
* Calls have been growing for Labor to introduce a tax on gas exports, after the policy was dropped ahead of the federal budget
* The draft policy document prompted speculation a gas tax would be on the agenda after it called for wealth from resources to be redistributed to the people via taxation
* Rank and file members have also called for Labor to go further on gambling reform, such as a national regulator
* The party’s position on the Middle East will be in the spotlight, after the Israeli embassy criticised Labor’s draft position which called for stronger action on Palestinian rights
* The AUKUS deal is expected to feature heavily, after some members at the previous conference in 2023 spoke out against the nuclear submarine deal with the UK and US
* Several Labor branches have passed motions calling for the party to reconsider the AUKUS pact
What’s on the agenda?
* Day one will start with an address from incoming Labor president Kate Ellis
* South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas will also give a speech, before Prime Minister Anthony Albanese takes to the stage for his address
* Debate on Thursday will be led by Treasurer Jim Chalmers on economic issues, as well as Energy Minister Chris Bowen later in the day on the climate and environment
* Day two will focus on the NDIS, health and aged care, led by Health Minister Mark Butler, followed by Indigenous, citizenship and women’s portfolio matters, overseen by Indigenous Australian Minister Malarndirri McCarthy
* Employment, workplace and skills issues will later follow, overseen by Amanda Rishworth for debate
*The final day will focus on defence and foreign affairs, with debate led by Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles
* Trade Minister Don Farrell will lead the final session on freedom of speech, local government and public service
* Other events on the sidelines of the conference feature panel discussions and debates
